Defects, from Fundamental Properties to Designed Functionalities

The ability to control and manipulate defects in semiconductor materials is of fundamental importance to the semiconductor industry since inception. As the range of semiconductor host materials and applications continues to expand, so does the need to further our understanding of defects and their properties. There is a need to detect and control/eliminate detrimental defects. For solar, electronic and quantum technologies this detection and control must occur at extremely low defect densities, e.g. below parts per billion or at the single defect level. In other applications the defects themselves must be designed for a particular functionality, including for electronic doping at moderate to high densities and quantum sensing/information at low densities. To achieve the exquisite control required, detailed attention needs to be given to the appropriate combination of fundamental theory, characterization and control. The Gordon Research Conference on Defects in Semiconductors will focus on the key issues of defect formation, characterization, control and utilization that need to be addressed for continued development in semiconductor and emerging quantum device technologies.The program will include defects in wide band-gap nitride, oxide, and carbide semiconductors and novel two-dimensional materials such as transition metal di-chalcogenides and other graphene analogues. Attention will also focus on emerging materials for photovoltaics including the perovskites. Technological applications range from electronics for power generation, power distribution, and lighting to spintronics and quantum information processing.

The Gordon Research Conference is complemented by a highly successful Gordon Research Seminar (GRS) designed by and for graduate students and post-doctoral fellows. The two-day GRS precedes the GRC, acclimatizing young scientists to the unique style of Gordon Conferences and encouraging them to share and present their ideas to their peers. Attendance at both the GRS and GRC provides young scientists with a unique opportunity to actively engage in this area of research that is of fundamental importance to existing and future developments in semiconductor and quantum technologies.