In years prior, there has been considerable research activity in an exciting class of materials - non-oxide covalent ceramics. These nitrides, carbides, sulfides and related materials have found a wide range of use, from electronics to aerospace/defense, optical sensors and devices, and mechanical/structural applications. In this book, the third in a continuing series, chemists, physicists, ceramists and materials scientists and engineers from around the world come together to share research and highlight recent advances in non-oxide materials. In contrast to its predecessors, the focus of the volume is less on production and fabrication, and more on applications and properties. Topics include: non-oxides for electronics and optoelectronics; preparation of bulk non-oxide ceramics; science of covalent ceramics - bonding, structure and microstructure; fabrication of covalent ceramic thin films; and technology of covalent ceramics - surfaces, composites and processing.

As third-generation synchrotron facilities are constructed and go online in both the United States and around the world, increasingly more applications of synchrotron radiation will be realized. Both basic and applied research possibilities are manyfold, and include studies of solid surfaces and interfaces, electronic materials, metal oxides, glasses, thin films, superconductors, polymers, alloys, multilayer metal systems and intermetallic compounds. In addition, the combination of synchrotron-based spectroscopic techniques, with ever increasing high-resolution microscopy, allows researchers to study very small domains of materials in an attempt to understand their chemical and electronic properties. This book from MRS focuses on the various types of information that can be obtained from synchrotron-related techniques in order to expand the use of this unique and powerful experimental approach to materials research. Topics include: structure of reduced dimensional materials; magnetic materials; microscopy, topography and tomography; X-ray probes of solids; and materials characterization with X-ray absorption.

While the effects of spontaneous ordering or composition modulation on the properties of semiconductors and optoelectronic devices have been studied with great interest over the past several years, an understanding of the physics and chemistry of these two related phenomena is still in its infancy. This book brings together researchers from around the world to address issues concerning the physics, chemistry and growth parameters for spontaneous ordering and composition modulation. Developments in the use of artificial patterning to obtain new structured materials on a microscopic scale are featured. Advances in characterization techniques are also presented. Topics include: spontaneous ordering; self-assembled structures and quantum dots; self-organized epitaxial structures; composition modulation studies and optoelectronic materials.

The emphasis of this book is on the quantitative analysis of transformation kinetics, integrated with thermodynamics. Solidification is a success story for quantitative kinetics analysis. The work reported concentrates on phase selection under extreme processing - large undercooling or ultrarapid quenching - of the liquid. Theoretical treatments are concerned mainly with the analysis of morphological instabilities during directional solidification at more conventional rates. The coverage of particle-beam effects is distinguished by the materials studied: alkali halides, minerals, semiconductors and metals. The thermodynamics of interfaces are a particular focus, especially in connection with the solid-state formation of amorphous phases. A highlight of the book is the coverage of the Johnson-Mehl-Avrami-Kolmogorov analysis of overall transformation kinetics. This venerable treatment is revisited and new insights and limitations are explored. Topics include: transformations in undercooled liquids; directional solidification; particle beam-induced transformations; interfaces - thermodynamics and reactions; amorphous materials - structure and transformations; solid-state transformations and ordering and phase separation.

Layered materials and systems based on metallic, intermetallic, polymeric and ceramic constituents have become increasingly important in meeting the structural requirements of current and future high-performance products. This book brings together investigators from industry, academia and government to focus on the structural applications of layered systems. Thermal barrier coatings, aircraft structural components and wear-resistant coatings for a wide variety of applications are highlighted. Processing techniques such as EB deposition, reactive sputter deposition, sedimentation processing, pressureless cosintering and rapid prototyping via laminated object manufacturing are also covered. And while microstability issues are addressed, they appear to be a critical area where further investigation is required. The largest number of papers focus on the mechanical behavior and modelling of layered systems and reveal significant effects of layer thickness, spacing and constituent properties on the fracture and fatigue behavior of such systems. Topics include: applications; processing; stability issues and mechanical behavior.

The use of high-performance ceramic materials in microelectronics holds the potential for the development of a wide range of novel, high-value products. For example, ferroelectric ceramic capacitors are key to the development of high-density ferroelectric nonvolatile memory (FRAM). High-dielectric constant para-electric capacitors are potentially useful for the production of high-density dynamic random access memory (DRAM) and for decoupling capacitors in high-speed microprocessors. Electro-optic materials are useful as waveguides, tunable filters and switches in advance communication applications. Researchers come together in this book to discuss both the application of metal-organic chemical vapor deposited (MOCVD) materials to microelectronics and the 'nuts and bolts' of the technique. A wide variety of opto-electronic, superconducting, ferroelectric and other advanced ceramic materials are discussed. Problems of dealing with low-volatility precursors, design of new precursors, and characterization of CVD processes are addressed. Topics include: nonoxide ceramics; precursor chemistry and delivery; process analysis and characterization; and oxide ceramics.

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