Optically Induced Conductivity Changes in Amorphous Silicon: A Historical Perspective

Abstract

ABSTRACTA historical perspective of the discovery of optically induced changes in amorphous silicon is presented in this paper from my personal point of view. It includes the story of how Chris Wronski and I discovered the effect, the key elements in our R&D environment that lead to our quick realization that the effect was reversible and reproducible, how our research environment supported the rapid publication of our first paper, and a brief look at the effect from today's perspective.