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Switching, chalcogenide alloys are the core of rewriteable DVDs and of nonvolatile memories under development in several large semiconductor houses (Intel, BAE Systems, Samsung). They could also revolutionize reconfigurable electronics if appropriate alloys can be found to maximize the on/off dynamic range. This book brings together device and circuit engineers with physicists, chemists and materials scientists to identify outstanding, fundamental problems, to present technological trends, and to survey the fundamental understanding of these materials as they pertain to switching, including tailoring materials properties to applications. The volume is different from previous proceedings on amorphous semiconductors because of its relatively narrow scope in materials and its explicit focus on technological issues - processing, novel devices and reliability.