Defects and Disorder in Crystalline and Amorphous Solids

The study of defects and disorder in solids remains a central topic in solid state science. Developments in the field continue to be promoted by new experimental and theoretical techniques, while further impetus for the study of disorder in solids is provided by the growing range of applications of solid state materials in which disorder at the atomic level plays a crucial rOle. In this book we attempt to present a survey of fundamental and applied aspects of the field. We consider the basic aspects of defective crystalline and amorphous solids. We discuss recent studies of structural, electronic, transport, thermodynamic and spectroscopic properties of such materials. Experimental and theoretical methodologies are reviewed, and detailed consideration is given to materials such as fast ion conductors and amorphous semiconductors that are of importance in an applied context. Any survey of this large field is necessarily selective. We have chosen to emphasise insulating (especially oxidic) and semi-conducting materials. But many of the approaches and techniques we describe apply generally across the entire field of solid state science. This volume is based on a NATO ASI held at the Residencia Santa Teresa de Jesus, Madrid in September 1991. The Editor is grateful to the NATO Scientific Affairs Division for their sponsorship of this School. Thanks are also due to all who participated in and lectured at the school, but especially to the organising committee of A. V. Chadwick, G. N. Greaves, M. Grigorkiewicz, J. H. Harding and S. Kalbitzer. C. R. A.

Klappentext

The study of disorder in solids is one of the key areas in contemporary solid state science. In crystalline solids there are well-developed models for describing the way in which defects control the atomic transport, thermodynamic and spectroscopic properties. In contrast, the conceptual and theoretical framework for describing these properties in amorphous solids is less well developed, partly due to the uncertainties in the structural models used to represent the disordered systems. Moreover, disordered solids include materials of great contemporary technological importance, for example, ceramic superconductors and amorphous semiconductors. br/ The field has developed rapidly in the last few years, driven both by technological needs for improved materials and by the fundamental scientific problems posed by disorder in solids. Progress has been especially rapid in structural studies, using diffraction, EXAFS, NMR and microscopy techniques, in investigation of atomic and charge transport and in the application of theoretical and computational methods. br/ The book provides a unified approach to disorder in solids. The earlier chapters present a survey of the theoretical and structural concepts used in describing defective and amorphous solids and the basic properties of these materials. The next chapters are devoted to a thorough survey of techniques and properties, including structural studies, transport, thermodynamic and spectroscopic properties and theoretical and computational techniques. The final chapters review materials and applications, including fast-ion conductors, sensors, amorphous semiconductors and novel glasses. It therefore presents a unique survey of an important field in contemporary solid state science. br/

Inhalt

1. An Introduction to Disorder in Solids.- 2. Point Defect Structures in Crystalline Materials.- 3. Extended Defects in Crystalline Materials.- 4. Amorphous Solids: An Introduction.- 5. Random Network Models.- 6. Investigation of Crystal Structures with Defects.- 7. Neutron Powder Diffraction for the Characterization of Structural Defects in Crystalline Solids.- 8. NMR Techniques for the Study of Crystalline and Amorphous Solids.- 9. Atomic Transport in Heavily Defective Materials: Crystals and Glasses.- 10. Ionic Transport in Glassy and Polymer Electrolytes.- 11. Electronic Structures of Amorphous Solids.- 12. Electronic Transport in Amorphous Semiconductors.- 13. Defects and Disorder in Amorphous Semiconductors Basic and Applied Aspects.- 14. Computer Modelling of Defects.- 15. Embedded-Cluster Calculations.- 16. Molecular Dynamics Studies of Defects in Solids.- 17. Simulations of Glass Surfaces: Structure and Adsorption.- 18. On the Local Structure of Glasses: Icosahedra, Orientational Order and Growing Correlation Lengths.- 19. Thermodynamic Properties of Defective Solids.- 20. Spectroscopic Properties of Defect Solids.- 21. Radiation Damage in NaCl.- 22. Defect Problems in the Field of Chemical Sensors.