During the last 25 years (after the growth of the first pseudomorphic GeSi strained layers on Si by Erich Kasper in Germany) we have seen a steady accu- mulation of new materials and devices with enhanced performance made pos- sible by strain. 1989-1999 have been very good years for the strained-Iayer- devices. Several breakthroughs were made in the growth and doping technology of strained layers. New devices were fabricated as a results of these break- throughs. Before the advent of strain layer epitaxy short wavelength (violet to green) and mid-IR (2 to 5 f. Lm) regions of the spectrum were not accessi- ble to the photonic devices. Short wavelength Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) and Laser Diodes (LDs) have now been developed using III-Nitride and II-VI strained layers. Auger recombination increases rapidly as the bandgap narrows and temperature increases. Therefore it was difficult to develop mid-IR (2 to 5 f. Lm range) lasers. The effect of strain in modifying the band-structure and suppressing the Auger recombination has been most spectacular. It is due to the strain mediated band-structure engineering that mid-IR lasers with good per- formance have been fabricated in several laboratories around the world. Many devices based on strained layers have reached the market place. This book de- scribes recent work on the growth, characterization and properties o(compound semiconductors strained layers and devices fabricated using them.

During the last 25 years (after the growth of the first pseudomorphic GeSi strained layers on Si by Erich Kasper in Germany) we have seen a steady accu- mulation of new materials and devices with enhanced performance made pos- sible by strain. 1989-1999 have been very good years for the strained-Iayer- devices. Several breakthroughs were made in the growth and doping technology of strained layers. New devices were fabricated as a results of these break- throughs. Before the advent of strain layer epitaxy short wavelength (violet to green) and mid-IR (2 to 5 f. Lm) regions of the spectrum were not accessi- ble to the photonic devices. Short wavelength Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) and Laser Diodes (LDs) have now been developed using III-Nitride and II-VI strained layers. Auger recombination increases rapidly as the bandgap narrows and temperature increases. Therefore it was difficult to develop mid-IR (2 to 5 f. Lm range) lasers. The effect of strain in modifying the band-structure and suppressing the Auger recombination has been most spectacular. It is due to the strain mediated band-structure engineering that mid-IR lasers with good per- formance have been fabricated in several laboratories around the world. Many devices based on strained layers have reached the market place. This book de- scribes recent work on the growth, characterization and properties o(compound semiconductors strained layers and devices fabricated using them.

Deforestation and forest degradation have been identified as a key source of global GHG emissions and reducing emissions from deforestation and degradation (REDD) has been identified as an important and low cost method for climate change mitigation. The aim of the present study was to assess REDD as a greenhouse gas reduction option and to assess the potential of REDD in India. SWOT Analysis technique was used for the assessment of REDD while an in-depth literature review, together with quantitative trend analysis for forest degradation using Mann Kendall Test formed the basis for assessment of the Indian situation vis-a-vis REDD. Success of REDD Plus in India lies primarily in the 'plus' component i.e. projects based on conservation and enhancement of carbon stocks and reducing emissions from degradation in specific regions.