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Theory of Heterojunctions: A Critical Review

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Molecular Beam Epitaxy and Heterostructures

Part of the book series: NATO ASI Series ((NSSE,volume 87))

Abstract

The central aspect of an abrupt heterojunction, and the point of departure for all its device properties, is the exact lineup of the bands of the two semiconductors at the interface. Band lineups vary over a wide range. Lineup data from numerous heterosystems have been reported in the literature, but only a few can be considered truly reliable. Of several theories that have been proposed to explain and/or predict band lineups, the Harrison Atomic Orbital (HAO) Theory has been by far the most successful; it agrees with those experimental data that are considered most trustworthy to within ±0.13 eV (standard deviation). Also reviewed are the Frensley-Kroemer Pseudopotential (FKP) theory, the Electron Affinity Rule (EAR), and Self-Consistent Interface Potential (SCIP) calculations of band lineups.

Although heterojunctions between two III/V semiconductors grown by high-performance technologies appear to be well-understood, the origins of observed technology-dependent variations remain obscure. Heterojunctions involving different columns in the periodic table on the two sides are prone to various severe technology-sensitive complications that lie outside existing theories.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106, USA

    Herbert Kroemer

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  1. Herbert Kroemer
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. IBM T.J. Watson Research Center, Yorktown Heights, 10598, NY, USA

    Leroy L. Chang

  2. Max-Planck-lnstitute, D-7000, Stuttgart 80, Germany

    Klaus Ploog

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© 1985 Martinus Nijhoff Publishers, Dordrecht

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Kroemer, H. (1985). Theory of Heterojunctions: A Critical Review. In: Chang, L.L., Ploog, K. (eds) Molecular Beam Epitaxy and Heterostructures. NATO ASI Series, vol 87. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-5073-3_10

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-5073-3_10

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-8744-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-009-5073-3

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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