Thin Films: Growth, Characterization, and Optoelectronic Device Applications

Dear Colleagues,

Optical and electronic device performance depends on the properties of each component material, with a large number of those materials present as thin films and coatings ranging from monolayers to hundreds of microns in thickness. Such devices in energy generation such as solar cells, in sensors designed to operate in different spectral ranges and in imaging, are either directly enabled by the functionality of thin films or have their level of performance defined by the properties of the films. Underlying or over-deposited layers in a device structure may substantially impact the properties of a thin film, making understanding material properties and behavior in the final device structure vital to understanding and optimizing device performance. 

Here we solicit manuscripts on growth, characterization, and resultant devices based on inorganic, organic, and hybrid metallic, insulating, and semiconducting thin films, with a focus on characterizing properties in device and device-like structures and understanding device performance. Due to the range and types of optical and electronic device applications, including large area depositions in display and photovoltaic technologies, pixel scale geometries in sensors and integrated circuits, and functional optical and hard coatings, we encourage submission of manuscripts involving experimental and theoretical investigations of thin films exhibiting epitaxial, polycrystalline, or amorphous characteristics, including studies of surfaces, interfaces including subsurface modification, nanostructures, and bulk materials overdeposited with thin films or with surface modifications. Of particular interest are in situ studies of material growth evolution and device processing; characterization of structural, optical, and electrical properties of thin films in devices; novel deposition and material processing; and optoelectronic devices, including thin film photovoltaics and sensors. 

It is my pleasure to invite you to submit a manuscript for this Special Issue. Full papers, communications, and reviews are all welcome.

Assoc. Prof. Nikolas J. Podraza
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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