Non-equilibrium thermodynamics of thermionic emission processes in abrupt semiconductor junctions, including the effects of surface states

The methods of non-equilibrium thermodynamics of systems with an interface have been applied to the study of thermionic emission processes in abrupt semiconductor junctions, including the effects of surface states. Our analysis covers different situations of interest, concerning unipolar and bipolar systems, either degenerate or not, with or without interface states and under steady and non-steady conditions. In this way, a complete phenomenological modelling of thermionic emission-interface states processes has been proposed, overcoming some of the inherent limitations of the currently existing models.