Principles of Solar Cells, LEDs and Diodes: The role of the PN junction

This textbook introduces the physical concepts requiredfor a comprehensive understanding of p-n junction devices, lightemitting diodes and solar cells.

Semiconductor devices have made a major impact on the way wework and live. Today semiconductor
p-n junction diode devices are experiencing substantial growth:solar cells are used on an unprecedented scale in the renewableenergy industry; and light emitting diodes (LEDs) arerevolutionizing energy efficient lighting. These two emergingindustries based on p-n junctions make a significant contributionto the reduction in fossil fuel consumption.

This book covers the two most important applications ofsemiconductor diodes - solar cells and LEDs - together withquantitative coverage of the physics of the p-n junction.  Thereader will gain a thorough understanding of p-n junctions as thetext begins with semiconductor and junction device fundamentals andextends to the practical implementation of semiconductors in bothphotovoltaic and LED devices.  Treatment of a range ofimportant semiconductor materials and device structures is alsopresented in a readable manner.

Topics are divided into the following six chapters:

• Semiconductor Physics
• The PN Junction Diode
• Photon Emission and Absorption
• The Solar Cell
• Light Emitting Diodes
• Organic Semiconductors, OLEDs and Solar Cells

Containing student problems at the end of each chapter andworked example problems throughout, this textbook is intended forsenior level undergraduate students doing courses in electricalengineering, physics and materials science. Researchers working onsolar cells and LED devices, and those in the electronics industrywould also benefit from the background information the bookprovides.

ADRIAN KITAI, Departments of Engineering Physics and Materials Science and Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada