Physics — Of Organic Semiconductors Pdf
The unique physics of these materials allows for manufacturing techniques that are impossible with silicon, such as and roll-to-roll processing .
Unlike inorganic semiconductors (silicon, germanium) which are held together by strong covalent bonds in a 3D lattice, organic semiconductors are composed of carbon-based molecules or polymers held together by weak .
In silicon, charge carriers move like waves through a nearly perfect crystal (Band Theory). In organic materials, the physics is much "messier" due to structural disorder. physics of organic semiconductors pdf
Instead of Valence and Conduction bands, we speak of HOMO (Highest Occupied Molecular Orbital) and LUMO (Lowest Unoccupied Molecular Orbital). The energy gap between these two determines the material's optical and electrical properties.
Because organic films are often amorphous or polycrystalline, charges don't flow smoothly. Instead, they "hop" from one localized molecular site to another. This process is thermally activated; as temperature rises, conductivity typically increases—the opposite of most metals. The unique physics of these materials allows for
The transition from rigid, high-heat processing to "soft" electronics represents one of the most exciting frontiers in condensed matter physics today.
For those searching for a comprehensive or study guide, understanding the fundamental shift from band theory to hopping transport is essential. 1. What Makes Organic Semiconductors Unique? In organic materials, the physics is much "messier"
They can degrade when exposed to oxygen and moisture.
When a charge (electron or hole) moves through an organic molecule, it slightly deforms the molecular structure. This combination of a charge and its induced lattice distortion is called a polaron . 3. Optical Physics and Excitons