The growth, characterization, and application of highly ordered small molecule semiconducting thin films

Organic semiconductors have gained tremendous attention recently as their use in field effect transistors, sensors, solar cells, lasers, and organic light emitting diodes have been demonstrated, offering the potential for low-cost alternatives. Since renewable energy remains one the greatest challenges of the 21st century, the possibility for low-cost and flexible organic photovoltaics is particularly exciting.;In the first part of this thesis, we demonstrate a route to the controlled growth of oriented crystalline films through organic vapor-phase deposition (OVPD), in conjunction with organic-inorganic, and organic-organic quasi-epitaxy. This method for producing highly ordered crystalline thin-film heterostructures combines the control of film growth with the electronic properties expected to approach that of organic single crystals, making them potentially useful for high efficiency organic thin-film devices and solar cells. We further demonstrate OVPD as a method for the deposition of large-scale organic electronics with low material waste, a key ability in fulfilling the promise of low-cost organic devices.;The second part of this thesis is focused on understanding factors that govern energy (i.e. exciton) transport. The two single most important and fundamental properties of organic semiconductors are the transport of charge and energy. While charge mobility has been extensively studied and convincingly linked to the degree of crystalline order and orientation, the principles governing energy transport, i.e. exciton migration, in this class of materials and the subsequent connection to crystalline properties still remain ambiguous. Therefore, we aim to understand key aspects governing exciton motion in organic materials to better engineer materials, film morphologies, and film architectures for organic electronics with improved performance. To this end, we have developed a new method for measuring exciton diffusion and characterize a range of archetypal organic compounds. We then derive a simple theoretical model that provides insight into the control of exciton migration in organic systems through changes in both crystal orientation (anisotropy) and degree of crystalline order, which is crucial for the management of energy transport in a wide range of important organic electronic devices.