Book excerpt: The subject matter of thin-films – which play a key role in microelectronics – divides naturally into two headings: the processing / structure relationship, and the structure / properties relationship. Part II of 'Materials Science in Microelectronics' focuses on the latter of these relationships, examining the effect of structure on the following: •Electrical properties•Magnetic properties•Optical properties•Mechanical properties•Mass transport properties•Interface and junction properties•Defects and properties - Captures the importance of thin films to microelectronic development - Examines the cause / effect relationship of structure on thin film properties