ZnO Based Transparent Electronics

ZnO is a remarkable multifunctional material with intrinsically high transparency over the whole visible range and a resistivity that can readily be tuned from semi-insulating right through to semi-metallic. As such it is forming a cornerstone for a transparent electronics revolution which promises both novel applications and remarkable performance advantages for existing products. This article gives an overview of recent advances in processing, alloying and doping of ZnO and of the main applications that are currently emerging, including replacement of ITO as a transparent electrode and substitution for amorphous silicon as the channel in thin film transistors for display backplanes.