A physics book that covers the optical properties of quantum-confined semiconductor nanostructures from both the theoretical and experimental points of view together with technological applications. Topics to be reviewed include quantum confinement effects in semiconductors, optical adsorption and emission properties of group IV, III-V, II-VI semiconductors, deep-etched and self assembled quantum dots, nanoclusters, and laser applications in optoelectronics.

Just over 25 years ago the first laser-excited Raman spectrum of any crystal was obtained. In November 1964, Hobden and Russell reported the Raman spectrum of GaP and later, in June 1965, Russell published the Si spectrum. Then, in July 1965, the forerunner of a series of meetings on light scattering in solids was held in Paris. Laser Raman spectroscopy of semiconductors was at the forefront in new developments at this meeting. Similar meetings were held in 1968 (New York), 1971 (Paris) and 1975 (Campinas). Since then, and apart from the multidisciplinary biennial International Conference on Raman Spectroscopy there has been no special forum for experts in light scattering spectroscopy of semiconductors to meet and discuss latest developments. Meanwhile, technological advances in semiconductor growth have given rise to a veritable renaissance in the field of semiconductor physics. Light scattering spectroscopy has played a crucial role in the advancement of this field, providing valuable information about the electronic, vibrational and structural properties both of the host materials, and of heterogeneous composite structures. On entering a new decade, one in which technological advances in lithography promise to open even broader horirons for semiconductor physics, it seemed to us to be an ideal time to reflect on the achievements of the past decade, to be brought up to date on the current state-of-the-art, and to catch some glimpses of where the field might be headed in the 1990s.

Just over 25 years ago the first laser-excited Raman spectrum of any crystal was obtained. In November 1964, Hobden and Russell reported the Raman spectrum of GaP and later, in June 1965, Russell published the Si spectrum. Then, in July 1965, the forerunner of a series of meetings on light scattering in solids was held in Paris. Laser Raman spectroscopy of semiconductors was at the forefront in new developments at this meeting. Similar meetings were held in 1968 (New York), 1971 (Paris) and 1975 (Campinas). Since then, and apart from the multidisciplinary biennial International Conference on Raman Spectroscopy there has been no special forum for experts in light scattering spectroscopy of semiconductors to meet and discuss latest developments. Meanwhile, technological advances in semiconductor growth have given rise to a veritable renaissance in the field of semiconductor physics. Light scattering spectroscopy has played a crucial role in the advancement of this field, providing valuable information about the electronic, vibrational and structural properties both of the host materials, and of heterogeneous composite structures. On entering a new decade, one in which technological advances in lithography promise to open even broader horirons for semiconductor physics, it seemed to us to be an ideal time to reflect on the achievements of the past decade, to be brought up to date on the current state-of-the-art, and to catch some glimpses of where the field might be headed in the 1990s.

The NATO Special Programme Panel on Condensed Systems of Low Dimensionality began its work in 1985 at a time of considerable activity in the field. The Panel has since funded many Advanced Research Workshops, Advanced Study Institutes, Cooperative Research Grants and Research Visits across the breadth of its remit, which stretches from self-organizing organic molecules to semiconductor structures having two, one and zero dimensions. The funded activities, especially the workshops, have allowed researchers from within NATO countries to exchange ideas and work together at a period of development of the field when such interactions are most valuable. Such timely support has undoubtedly assisted the development of national programs, particularly in the countries of the alliance wishing to strengthen their science base. A closing Workshop to mark the end of the Panel's activities was organized in Marmaris, Turkey from April 23-27, 1990, with the same title as the Panel: Condensed systems of Low Dimensionality. This volume contains papers presented at that meeting, which sought to bring together chemists, physicists and engineers from across the spectrum of the Panel's activities to discuss topics of current interest in their special fields and to exchange ideas about the effects of low dimensionality. As the following pages show, this is a topic of extraordinary interest and challenge which produces entirely new scientific phenomena, and at the same time offers the possibility of novel technological applications.

Remarkable advances in semiconductor growth and processing technologies continue to have a profound impact on condensed-matter physics and to stimulate the invention of novel optoelectronic effects. Intensive research on the behaviors of free carriers has been carried out in the two-dimensional systems of semiconductor heterostructures and in the one and zero-dimensional systems of nanostructures created by the state-of-the-art fabrication methods. These studies have uncovered unexpected quantum mechanical correlations that arise because of the combined effects of strong electron-electron interactions and wave function confinement associated with reduced dimensionality. The investigations of these phenomena are currently at the frontiers of condensed-matter physics. They include areas like the fractional quantum Hall effect, the dynamics of electrons on an ultra short (femtosecond) time scale, electron behavior in quantum wires and dots, and studies of electron tunneling phenomena in ultra small semiconductor structures. Optical techniques have made important contributions to these fields in recent years, but there has been no coherent review of this work until now. The book provides an overview of these recent developments that will be of interest to semiconductor materials scientists in university, government and industrial laboratories.

A physics book that covers the optical properties of quantum-confined semiconductor nanostructures from both the theoretical and experimental points of view together with technological applications. Topics to be reviewed include quantum confinement effects in semiconductors, optical adsorption and emission properties of group IV, III-V, II-VI semiconductors, deep-etched and self assembled quantum dots, nanoclusters, and laser applications in optoelectronics.