Nonlinear Spatio-Temporal Dynamics and Chaos in Semiconductors

Abstract

Nonlinear transport phenomena are an increasingly important aspect of modern semiconductor research. Nonlinear Spatio-Temporal Dynamics and Chaos in Semiconductors deals with complex nonlinear dynamics, pattern formation, and chaotic behaviour in such systems. In doing so it bridges the gap between two well-established fields: the theory of dynamic systems, and nonlinear charge transport in semiconductors. This unified approach is used to consider important electronic transport instabilities. The initial chapters lay a general framework for the theoretical description of nonlinear self-organized spatio-temporal patterns, like current filaments, field domains, fronts, and analysis of their stability. Later chapters consider important model systems in detail: impact ionization induced impurity breakdown, Hall instabilities, superlattices, and low-dimensional structures. State-of-the-art results include chaos control, spatio-temporal chaos, multistability, pattern selection, activator-inhibitor kinetics, and global coupling, linking fundamental issues to electronic device applications. This book will be of great value to semiconductor physicists and nonlinear scientists alike.