This book presents materials fundamentals of novel gate dielectrics that are being introduced into semiconductor manufacturing to ensure the continuous scalling of the CMOS devices. This is a very fast evolving field of research so we choose to focus on the basic understanding of the structure, thermodunamics, and electronic properties of these materials that determine their performance in device applications. Most of these materials are transition metal oxides. Ironically, the d-orbitals responsible for the high dielectric constant cause sever integration difficulties thus intrinsically limiting high-k dielectrics. Though new in the electronics industry many of these materials are wel known in the field of ceramics, and we describe this unique connection. The complexity of the structure-property relations in TM oxides makes the use of the state of the art first-principles calculations necessary. Several chapters give a detailed description of the modern theory of polarization, and heterojunction band discontinuity within the framework of the density functional theory. Experimental methods include oxide melt solution calorimetry and differential scanning calorimetry, Raman scattering and other optical characterization techniques, transmission electron microscopy, and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Many of the problems encounterd in the world of CMOS are also relvant for other semiconductors such as GaAs. A comprehensive review of recent developments in this field is thus also given. The book should be of interest to those actively engaged in the gate dielectric research, and to graduate students in Materials Science, Materials Physics, Materials Chemistry, and Electrical Engineering.

Dielectrics in Electric Fields explores the influence of electric fields on dielectric—i.e., non-conducting or insulating—materials, examining the distinctive behaviors of these materials through well-established principles of physics and engineering. Featuring five new chapters, nearly 200 new figures, and more than 800 new citations, this fully updated and significantly expanded Second Edition: Analyzes inorganic substances with real-life applications in harsh working conditions such as outdoor, nuclear, and space environments Introduces methods for measuring dielectric properties at microwave frequencies, presenting results obtained for specific materials Discusses the application of dielectric theory in allied fields such as corrosion studies, civil engineering, and health sciences Combines in one chapter coverage of electrical breakdown in gases with breakdown in micrometric gaps Offers extensive coverage of electron energy distribution—essential knowledge required for the application of plasma sciences in medical science Delivers a detailed review of breakdown in liquids, along with an overview of electron mobility, providing a clear understanding of breakdown phenomena Explains breakdown in solid dielectrics such as single crystals, polycrystalline and amorphous states, thin films, and powders compressed to form pellets Addresses the latest advances in dielectric theory and research, including cutting-edge nanodielectric materials and their practical applications Blends early classical papers that laid the foundation for much of the dielectric theory with more recent work The author has drawn from more than 55 years of research studies and experience in the areas of high-voltage engineering, power systems, and dielectric materials and systems to supply both aspiring and practicing engineers with a comprehensive, authoritative source for up-to-date information on dielectrics in electric fields.

Functional Dielectrics for Electronics: Fundamentals of Conversion Properties presents an overview of the nature of electrical polarization, dielectric nonlinearity, electrical charge transfer mechanisms, thermal properties, the nature of high permittivity, low-loss thermostability and other functional dielectrics. The book describes the intrinsic mechanisms of electrical polarization and the energy transformations in non-centrosymmetric crystals that are responsible for converting thermal, mechanical, optical and other impacts into electrical signals. In addition, the book reviews the main physical processes that provide electrical, mechanoelectrical, thermoelectrical and other conversion phenomena in polar crystals. Detailed descriptions are given to electrical manifestations of polar-sensitivity in the crystals, the interaction of polarization with conductivity, the anomalies in thermal expansion coefficient and main peculiarities of heat transfer in polar-sensitive crystals.

The object of this book is to provide a comprehensive reference source for the numerous scientific communities (engineers, researchers, students, etc.) in various disciplines which require detailed information in the field of dielectric materials. Part 1 focuses on physical properties, electrical ageing, and modeling - including topics such as the physics of charged dielectric materials, conduction mechanisms, dielectric relaxation, space charge, electric ageing and end of life (EOL) models, and dielectric experimental characterization. Part 2 examines applications of specific relevance to dielectric materials: insulating oils for transformers, electro-rheological fluids, electrolytic capacitors, ionic membranes, photovoltaic conversion, dielectric thermal control coatings for geostationary satellites, plastics recycling and piezoelectric polymers.

Dielectrics in Electric Fields explores the influence of electric fields on dielectric—i.e., non-conducting or insulating—materials, examining the distinctive behaviors of these materials through well-established principles of physics and engineering. Featuring five new chapters, nearly 200 new figures, and more than 800 new citations, this fully updated and significantly expanded Second Edition: Analyzes inorganic substances with real-life applications in harsh working conditions such as outdoor, nuclear, and space environments Introduces methods for measuring dielectric properties at microwave frequencies, presenting results obtained for specific materials Discusses the application of dielectric theory in allied fields such as corrosion studies, civil engineering, and health sciences Combines in one chapter coverage of electrical breakdown in gases with breakdown in micrometric gaps Offers extensive coverage of electron energy distribution—essential knowledge required for the application of plasma sciences in medical science Delivers a detailed review of breakdown in liquids, along with an overview of electron mobility, providing a clear understanding of breakdown phenomena Explains breakdown in solid dielectrics such as single crystals, polycrystalline and amorphous states, thin films, and powders compressed to form pellets Addresses the latest advances in dielectric theory and research, including cutting-edge nanodielectric materials and their practical applications Blends early classical papers that laid the foundation for much of the dielectric theory with more recent work The author has drawn from more than 55 years of research studies and experience in the areas of high-voltage engineering, power systems, and dielectric materials and systems to supply both aspiring and practicing engineers with a comprehensive, authoritative source for up-to-date information on dielectrics in electric fields.

High Temperature Polymer Dielectrics Overview on how to achieve polymer dielectrics at high temperatures, with emphasis on diverse applications in various electrical insulation fields High Temperature Polymer Dielectrics: Fundamentals and Applications in Power Equipment systematically describes the latest research progress surrounding high-temperature polymer dielectric (HTPD) materials and their applications in electrical insulation fields such as high-temperature energy storage capacitors, motors, packaging, printed circuit board, new energy power equipment, and aerospace electrical equipment. The comprehensive text provides a description of the market demand and theoretical research value of HTPDs in electrical equipment and enables readers to improve the performance and design of existing HTPD materials, and to develop efficient new high temperature polymer dielectric materials in general. Specific sample topics covered in High Temperature Polymer Dielectrics include: Thermal and electrical properties of high-temperature polymers, and the excellent thermal stability, mechanical properties, and long service life of polymer dielectrics Why fluorinated polymers are more thermally stable than their corresponding hydrogen-substituted polymers Static Thermomechanical Analysis (TMA), a technique for measuring the functional relationship between the deformation of the materials and the temperature and time under different actions Polyetheretherketone (PEEK), a semi-crystalline polymer material with ether bonds and ketone carbonyl groups in molecular chains Providing a complete overview of the state-of-the-art high temperature polymer dielectrics, with a focus on fundamental background and recent advances, High Temperature Polymer Dielectrics is an essential resource for materials scientists, electrical engineers, polymer chemists, physicists, and professionals working in the chemical industry as a whole.

An accurate quantitative picture of electric field distribution is essential in many electrical and electronic applications. In composite dielectric configurations composed of multiple dielectrics, anomalous or unexpected behavior of electric fields may appear when a solid dielectric is in contact with a conductor or another solid dielectric. The electric field near the contact point may become higher than the original field not only in the surrounding medium but also in the solid dielectric. Theoretically it may become infinitely high, depending on the contact angle. Although these characteristics are very important in a variety of applications, they have been clarified only recently using analytical and numerical calculation methods, and this is the first book to cover these new findings. Electric Fields in Composite Dielectrics and Their Applications describes the fundamental characteristics and practical applications of electric fields in composite dielectrics. The focus is on the field distribution (and the resultant force when appropriate) near points of contact. Applications include insulation design of high-voltage equipment with solid insulating supports, utilization of electrostatic force on dielectric particles in electrophotography and electrorheological fluids, and others. Electric Fields in Composite Dielectrics and Their Applications also explains the calculation methods used to analyze electric fields in composite dielectrics.

The issue of ECS Transactions contains papers presented at the Tenth International Symposium on Silicon Nitride, Silicon Dioxide, and Alternate Emerging Dielectrics held in San Francisco on May 24-29, 2009. The papers address a very wide range of fabrication and characterization techniques, and applications of thin dielectric films in microelectronic and optoelectronic devices. More specific topics addressed by the papers include reliability, interface states, gate oxides, passivation, and dielctric breakdown.