Pentacene devices: Molecular structure, charge transport and photo response

In this feature article, we will discuss to which extend the peculiar growth properties of pentacene on metallic contacts and on gate dielectrics contribute to the device performance of organic thin film transistors. The early growth state of pentacene monolayers is reviewed, as well as the molecular structure of the so called thin film phase. Then, the relation of structural defect densities to trap densities is discussed. The spatially resolved photo response of a pentacene transistor will be presented in the context of injection barriers and contact homogeneity. (C) 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.