TABLE OF CONTENTS Over the last 50 years, insulating polymers or plastics have transformed society, replacing wood, metals, and ceramics, because of their structural strength, lightweight, and fabrication ease. Until recently, while it was recognized that the electronic properties of polymers could also be interesting, they were not seriously considered for information technology applications. Recently however, as synthesis techniques have improved, some polymers have shown semiconductor-like properties; i.e., they can be doped, their conductance can be controlled, and light can be detected and emitted. This is not to imply that these materials have electronic properties approaching those of inorganic semiconductors. Mobility for instance is still ~ 10 ?2 cm 2/Vs in organic semiconductors, i.e., nearly a millionth of what may be found in materials like GaAs. However, for many applications these materials have good enough optoelectronic properties and with continuous improvement it is expected that they will play an important role in future technologies.
Rapid progress in doped polymers, especially doped polyacetylene was made in the 1970s, but the material remained a curiosity due to the difficulties in processing. In the late 1980s the interest in organic semiconductors surged because Eastman Kodak and Cambridge University demonstrated electroluminescent devices, and FETs made from polythiophene were demonstrated. Polymer-based devices are now used for backlights of liquid crystal displays, displays of devices, such as cell phones or watches. It is expected that commercial technologies, such as televisions, solar cells, etc., will benefit from new advances.
Polymer...
