Deformable semiconductors with interfaces: Basic continuum equations (Q1821620)

A conceptually simple, but nonetheless nonlinear, rotationally invariant and thermodynamically admissible, continuum theory of deformable semiconductors is presented on the basis of (1) general principles of continuum physics including the effects of singular surfaces and energy- carrying interfaces and (2) a systematic use of the principle of virtual power for finite velocity fields. The presence of a singular ''thermodynamic'' surface provides proper boundary conditions at the interface, so that no restrictions need to be made concerning the value of surface electric entities in problems dealing with surface-wave propagation. The primitive nonlinearity is essential in that it guarantees obtaining a consistent set of linearized equations about a state exhibiting bias fields.