Semiconductor Heterojunction definition of Semiconductor Heterojunction in the Free Online Encyclopedia.

Semiconductor Heterojunction

a contact between two semiconductors that differ in their chemical composition. At the interface there usually is a change in, for example, the widthΔℰ of the energy gap, the mobility of the charge carriers, and the effective masses of the carriers. In abrupt heterojunctions the change in properties occurs over a distance that is comparable to or less than the width of the space-charge region. Depending on the doping of the two sides of the heterojunction, it is possible to obtain a p-n, a p-p, or an n-n heterojunction. Combinations of various semiconductor heterojunctions and p-n junctions form heterostructures.

An ideal match of crystal lattices is possible in a heterojunction only if the crystal lattices of the materials being joined coincide in their type, orientation, and spacing. Also, in an ideal heterojunction the interface must be free from structural and other defects, such as dislocations and charged centers, and from mechanical stresses. The most widely used semiconductor heterojunctions are single-crystal heterojunctions between semiconductor compounds of the type A^IIIB^V and solid solutions thereof based on arsenides, phosphides, and antimonides of Ga and Al. Since there is only a small difference between the covalent radii of Ga and Al, the change in chemical composition occurs without any change in lattice spacing. The manufacture of single-crystal semiconductor heterojunctions became possible as a result of the development of methods for the epitaxial growth of semiconductor crystals.

Semiconductor heterojunctions are used in various semiconductor devices, such as semiconductor lasers, light-emitting diodes, photocells, and optrons.

REFERENCES

Alferov, Zh. I. “Geteroperekhody v poluprovodnikovoi elektronike blizkogo budushchego.” In Fizika segodnia i zavtra. Edited by V. M. Tuchkevich. Leningrad, 1973.
Eliseev, P. G. “Inzhektsionnye lazery na geteroperekho-dakh.” Kvantovaia elektronika, 1972, no. 6.
Alferov, Zh. I. “Inzhektsionnye geterolazery.” In the collection Poluprovodnikovye pribory i ikh primenenie, issue 25. Edited by la. Fedotov. Moscow, 1971.

Mentioned in	?		Encyclopedia browser	?		Full browser	?
No references found			semicircular canal Semicircular Canals semicircular deviation semicircular dome semicircular fanlight semicircular vault semicircular window semicircumference semiclosed-cycle gas turbine Semicoke Semicolon Semicolonial Territory semicoma semicompreg semiconducting compound semiconducting crystal semiconductive loading tube Semiconductor Semiconductor Avalanche Diode Semiconductor Detector Semiconductor Device Semiconductor Diode semiconductor disk semiconductor doping Semiconductor Electronics Semiconductor Heterojunction semiconductor heterostructure Semiconductor heterostructures semiconductor intrinsic properties semiconductor IP semiconductor junction Semiconductor Laser Semiconductor Material semiconductor memory semiconductor rectifier Semiconductor Spectrometer semiconductor storage semiconductor thermocouple semiconductor trap Semiconductor, Amorphous Semiconductor, Organic semiconductor-diode parametric amplifier semiconjugate axis semiconservative replication Semicontinuous Function semicontrolled mosaic semiconvection semicratonic semicrystalline semicubical parabola semidense list			Semiconductor Components Industries LLC Semiconductor controlled rectifier Semiconductor curve tracer Semiconductor Demand Forecast Accuracy Model Semiconductor detector semiconductor device semiconductor device Semiconductor device physics Semiconductor device physics Semiconductor devices Semiconductor devices semiconductor diode semiconductor diode semiconductor diode Semiconductor diode detector semiconductor disk semiconductor doping Semiconductor Electronics Semiconductor Engineering Group Inc. Semiconductor Environmental Safety and Health Association Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International Semiconductor Equipment Assessment Semiconductor Equipment Association of Japan Semiconductor Equipment Communications Standard Semiconductor Equipment Consortium for Advanced Packaging Semiconductor Equipment Manufacturing Center Semiconductor Equipment Sales Associates, Inc Semiconductor fab Semiconductor fab Semiconductor fab Semiconductor Heterojunction semiconductor heterostructure Semiconductor heterostructures Semiconductor Holder Semiconductor Ignition Semiconductor Index Semiconductor Industry Association Semiconductor Industry Research Institute Semiconductor Industry Research Institute Japan Semiconductor Industry Suppliers Association Semiconductor Injection Laser Semiconductor Insulator Semiconductor Semiconductor Intellectual Property Semiconductor intellectual property core Semiconductor Interface Specialists Conference Semiconductor International Semiconductor International Capacity Statistics semiconductor intrinsic properties Semiconductor IP Semiconductor junction Semiconductor junction semiconductor laser semiconductor laser semiconductor laser Semiconductor lasers Semiconductor lasers Semiconductor Manufacturers' Association Semiconductor manufacturing Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp