A number of application concepts have emerged based on the idea that a phase transition thin film such as vanadium dioxide provides a high resolution, two-dimensional format for switching, recording, and processing optical signals. These applications range from high density optical disk recording systems and optical data processing to laser protection devices, infrared FLIRS and seekers, laser radar systems and IR scene simulators. All application candidates have a potential for providing either a totally new capability, an improved performance, a lower cost, or combinations of the three. Probably of greatest significance is the emergence of agile sensor concepts arising out of some of the film's special properties. These are represented by the above FLIRs, seekers and laser radar systems. A three year research program has been completed to advance the state-of-the-art in the preparation and charaterization of selected thin film phase transition materials. The objectives of the program were: a) to expand the data base and improve operational characteristics of Vought prepared vanadium dioxide thin films, b) to evolve process chemistry and subsequently characterize several new program materials, including rare-earth chalcogenides, organic semiconductor charge complexes, alloys of transition metal oxides, and metal-insulator cermets, and c) to spin-off new applications and concepts.

Lists citations with abstracts for aerospace related reports obtained from world wide sources and announces documents that have recently been entered into the NASA Scientific and Technical Information Database.

"Phase Change Materials: Science and Applications" provides a unique introduction of this rapidly developing field. Clearly written and well-structured, this volume describes the material science of these fascinating materials from a theoretical and experimental perspective. Readers will find an in-depth description of their existing and potential applications in optical and solid state storage devices as well as reconfigurable logic applications. Researchers, graduate students and scientists with an interest in this field will find "Phase Change Materials" to be a valuable reference.

A clear, concise and rigorous textbook covering phase transitions in the context of advances in electronic structure and statistical mechanics.

Thin film technology is used in many applications such as microelectronics, optics, hard and corrosion resistant coatings and micromechanics, and thin films form a uniquely versatile material base for the development of novel technologies within these industries. Thin film growth provides an important and up-to-date review of the theory and deposition techniques used in the formation of thin films.Part one focuses on the theory of thin film growth, with chapters covering nucleation and growth processes in thin films, phase-field modelling of thin film growth and surface roughness evolution. Part two covers some of the techniques used for thin film growth, including oblique angle deposition, reactive magnetron sputtering and epitaxial growth of graphene films on single crystal metal surfaces. This section also includes chapters on the properties of thin films, covering topics such as substrate plasticity and buckling of thin films, polarity control, nanostructure growth dynamics and network behaviour in thin films.With its distinguished editor and international team of contributors, Thin film growth is an essential reference for engineers in electronics, energy materials and mechanical engineering, as well as those with an academic research interest in the topic. - Provides an important and up-to-date review of the theory and deposition techniques used in the formation of thin films - Focusses on the theory and modelling of thin film growth, techniques and mechanisms used for thin film growth and properties of thin films - An essential reference for engineers in electronics, energy materials and mechanical engineering

The MRS Symposium Proceeding series is an internationally recognised reference suitable for researchers and practitioners.

Chemical Solution Synthesis for Materials Design and Thin Film Device Applications presents current research on wet chemical techniques for thin-film based devices. Sections cover the quality of thin films, types of common films used in devices, various thermodynamic properties, thin film patterning, device configuration and applications. As a whole, these topics create a roadmap for developing new materials and incorporating the results in device fabrication. This book is suitable for graduate, undergraduate, doctoral students, and researchers looking for quick guidance on material synthesis and device fabrication through wet chemical routes. Provides the different wet chemical routes for materials synthesis, along with the most relevant thin film structured materials for device applications Discusses patterning and solution processing of inorganic thin films, along with solvent-based processing techniques Includes an overview of key processes and methods in thin film synthesis, processing and device fabrication, such as nucleation, lithography and solution processing