By illuminating parts of the semiconductor surface, elctron-hole pairs are generated and a photocurrent flows.
In these devices the semiconductor surface absorbs solar energy and acts as an electrode for water splitting.
After working out a theoretical problem of electrical conduction on semiconductor surfaces, Schrieffer spent a year in the laboratory, applying the theory to several surface problems.
For semiconductor surface, forming dimer is the way for it to response to the tensile stress.
Molecular sensitizers (dye molecules) attached to the semiconductor surface are used to collect a greater portion of the spectrum.
Under realistic conditions, contact metals may react with semiconductor surfaces to form a compound with new electronic properties.
Is it feasible to photoelectrochemically reduce CO on semiconductor surface?
With chemical sources, the reactions associated with the growth rate are faster on the semiconductor surface than on the dielectric layer.
The nanosecond scale life times of these electron/hole separations allows for charge transfer to occur with an adsorbed species on the semiconductor surface.
First applications were in the field of surface acoustic waves on semiconductor surfaces.