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

This book, the tenth in a highly successful series from the Materials Research Society, presents technical information on ferroelectric thin films from academia, government laboratories, and industry. Substantial progress in several areas of integrated ferroelectric and high-permittivity device technology are demonstrated. In particular, the latest developments in high-density FeRAM devices are reviewed, as are developments in the use of these films in piezoelectric, pyroelectric, tunable RF, integrated capacitor, and optical waveguide applications. Thin-film processing techniques used to deposit a variety of ferroelectric and electrode materials are also highlighted, and recent advances in the fundamental understanding of ferroelectricity and degradation phenomena in thin films are addressed. Topics include: processing of Pb-based ferroelectrics; processing of Bi-based ferroelectrics; ferroelectric nonvolatile memories - technology, fundamentals and integration; integration and electrodes; epitaxial ferroelectric films; domains and nanostructures; piezoelectrics and pyroelectrics; ferroelectric gates; thin films for RF applications and high-permittivity materials.

At present, the marketplace for professionals, researchers, and graduate students in solid-state physics and materials science lacks a book that presents a comprehensive discussion of ferroelectrics and related materials in a form that is suitable for experimentalists and engineers. This book proposes to present a wide coverage of domain-related issues concerning these materials. This coverage includes selected theoretical topics (which are covered in the existing literature) in addition to a plethora of experimental data which occupies over half of the book. The book presents experimental findings and theoretical understanding of ferroic (non-magnetic) domains developed during the past 60 years. It addresses the situation by looking specifically at bulk crystals and thin films, with a particular focus on recently-developed microelectronic applications and methods for observations of domains with techniques such as scanning force microscopy, polarized light microscopy, scanning optical microscopy, electron microscopy, and surface decorating techniques. "Domains in Ferroic Crystals and Thin Films" covers a large area of material properties and effects connected with static and dynamic properties of domains, which are extremely relevant to materials referred to as ferroics. In other textbooks on solid state physics, one large group of ferroics is customarily covered: those in which magnetic properties play a dominant role. Numerous books are specifically devoted to magnetic ferroics and cover a wide spectrum of magnetic domain phenomena. In contrast, "Domains in Ferroic Crystals and Thin Films" concentrates on domain-related phenomena in nonmagnetic ferroics. These materials are still inadequately represented in solid state physics textbooks and monographs.

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

Challenges facing the implementation of an affordable tunable RF and microwave device technology are discussed in these papers from an April 2002 meeting. Materials issues and devices are examined, with information on new tunable materials, issues of preparation and optimization of bulk and think film properties, material and surface characterization, evaluation of material loss and loss mechanisms, and effects of microstructure. At the device level, phase shifters are discussed and a new device concept for variable true time delay versus phase shift is introduced. At the system level, a paraelectric lens is used to demonstrate electronic beam steering of an antenna. Tidrow is affiliated with the US Army Research Laboratory. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Polymer interfaces are critical for many technological and industrial applications in thin films including microelectronics, packaging, automotive coatings and sensors. The structure and architecture of interfaces in thin films and bulk polymeric systems can be exceedingly complex. In thin films, the technological drive to diminish film thickness while simultaneously enhancing homogeneity, stability and adhesion, is a demanding challenge driving research in newer areas of nanofilled and controlled nanostructured and nanopatterned materials. Tailoring surface and interfacial properties is equally important for new developments in the traditional fields of bulk polymer blends, adhesion and wetting. There is a need to develop an understanding of interfacial phenomena with the ultimate goal of establishing structure-property relationships with quantitative predictive capabilities and this book discusses these challenges. Topics include: block copolymer films; theory, simulations and dynamics; polymer interfaces and thin films; adhesion and mechanical properties; self-assembly by polymeric films; self-assembly and electronic properties; lithographic, electronic properties; and nanoparticulate-filled films.