Fundamentals of organic electronic devices

This chapter introduces basic concepts of organic electronics, with the aim to provide an accessible, phenomenological introduction to the more advanced content discussed in detail in the following chapters. First, we deal with the basic optoelectronic properties of organic semiconductors, with emphasis on charge carrier transport phenomena, and then we discuss how to change the charge carrier concentration, by means of photogeneration and capacitive coupling phenomena. After addressing the subject of metal/semiconductor interfaces, we show how to exploit these physical properties in order to realize the main building blocks of electronics, such as (photo)-diodes and field-effect transistors. Purpose of this chapter is to offer a critical view, with a clear understanding of pros and cons of organic electronics, of the main differences with respect to traditional, inorganic electronics, and of the inherent trade-off between processability and performances.