Dr. Zaher M. Nassar, an assistant professor in the Physics Department at the Islamic University of Gaza, has co-authored a book titled “Topics in Applied Physics: Progress in Nanoscale and Low-Dimensional Materials and Devices” with an international publishing house, Springer, in 2022. The book focuses on the progress and advancements in nanoscale and low-dimensional materials and devices, with a particular emphasis on the structural, conductive, and optical properties of these materials.
Dr. Nassar co-authored the fifth chapter of the book, which provides a comprehensive study on nano-sized crystals and their impact on the properties of nano-materials. The study examines the effect of structural defects, growth kinetics, stress induced by crystal lattice asymmetry, and particle size on the properties of the materials, using a range of optical and structural techniques. The chapter also investigates the dependence of the emitted wavelength on the energy bandgap, which is influenced by the size of the crystals.
Dr. Nassar’s contribution to the book focuses on the optical and structural properties of cadmium telluride (CdTe) material. CdTe material was selected for the study because its energy bandgap closely matches that of solar radiation, making it an ideal material for improving the efficiency of solar energy conversion when the size of its crystals reaches the nanoscale. The study involved preparing several samples of thin films of the material with varying thicknesses, and measuring each sample using three techniques: Raman spectroscopy, optical absorption, and X-ray diffraction.
After analyzing the results, the study concluded that decreasing the size of nanocrystals provides the material with new and unique structural, conductive, and optical properties that can be used for various applications in modern life. For example, reducing the size of the crystals leads to an increase in the energy bandgap to match the energy of solar radiation, thus obtaining a higher efficiency for converting solar energy into electrical energy. Additionally, materials with these new properties, such as cadmium telluride (CdTe), can be used in a variety of ways, such as in light-emitting diodes (LEDs), photovoltaic devices, and fluorescent labels.
Dr. Nassar’s co-authorship of this book with Springer is a significant achievement for both himself and the Islamic University of Gaza, showcasing the institution’s research capabilities in the field of applied physics. The book provides a valuable contribution to the scientific community’s understanding of nanoscale and low-dimensional materials and devices and their potential applications in modern life.
