Semiconductor-gas discharge electronic devices: stability, patterns and control

Recent results of studying the transport properties of planar semiconductor-gas discharge devices are reviewed. The device can operate in the stable mode or in regimes where self-organization of spatial and temporal patterns occurs. In the range of stability, it can be applied as a high speed converter of infrared images. Simple non-linear models of operation in both modes are presented. The equations corresponding to the converter regime are used to implement a control scheme that can essentially optimize the process of switching on of the state of discharge with increased current. Different scenarios of pattern formation are described and examples both of global and local control of patterns are presented. Some experimental data are accompanied by results of numerical study of the corresponding two-dimensional reaction-diffusion model.