Quantum Physics of Semiconductor Materials and Devices
Debdeep Jena
Abstract
Abstract Semiconductors today touch every aspect of our lives. Semiconductor materials and devices are at the heart of solar cells for clean energy, in every component of computers and mobile devices that power the information age, in tools used to design new medicine to treat diseases, in tools used for decoding the genome, to devices for quantum computation and communication, to exploring the far reaches of space. This book introduces senior undergraduate and early graduate students to the physics underlying semiconductor materials and their rich range of applications. It is of interest to scientists, engineers, practitioners, policy makers, and enthusiasts of the science and art of semiconductors because it makes transparent the reason for their immense scientific, technological, social, and economic impact. Semiconductor physics rests on the pillars of condensed matter physics, statistical physics, electromagnetic theory, and quantum mechanics. These concepts are presented riogorously with lavish illustrations so that a student with limited prior exposure will learn and apply them to semiconductors. A deeper understanding of these core concepts is signifcantly amplified by connecting to the physical properties of semiconductors and by showing precisely how the quantum physics drives the rich range of device applications ranging from diodes to transistors, lasers, and qubits. The historical roots of the subject are presented to highlight it as a unique human endeavor and to celebrate the pioneering spirit of the people who have made this field possible, and with the goal of encouraging the young generation to join the ongoing semiconductor revolution.