- #1
ZombieFeynman
Gold Member
- 329
- 12
All,
Forgive me if this is not the right area of the forum, but it seems like it might reach the broadest audience here.
I am looking for an introduction to computer hardware (and perhaps more generally, modern electronics) for a scientist. I am looking for something beyond what one might find in a popular treatment, as I have read several and have always been left feeling unsatisfied. I am also not sure that a technical text for engineers is right either. I certainly don't have the time to devote to learning this full time, as this is only a recreational interest.
My background is in theoretical condensed matter physics, particularly strongly correlated electronic systems, topological insulators, and spin-orbit coupling in ultra cold atoms. I have very little lab experience (I picked up a summer as an undergraduate in an experimental group) and I have no formal training in electronics or instrumentation. I do have formal training in scientific programming, but this yields little to no insight into the inner workings of a machine. I am looking for a text that will satisfy my curiosity for delving deeper into the workings of modern electronics and computers, but likely don't have the time, inclination, or training to follow a rigorous text for practicing experts. If not a book, I suppose I could settle for lecture notes, websites, or other accounts if anyone is aware of some at the level I am looking for.
TL;DR: I am looking for a source on electronics and/or computer architecture for a simple minded theorist at the "goldilocks" level between popular science and formal text.
Forgive me if this is not the right area of the forum, but it seems like it might reach the broadest audience here.
I am looking for an introduction to computer hardware (and perhaps more generally, modern electronics) for a scientist. I am looking for something beyond what one might find in a popular treatment, as I have read several and have always been left feeling unsatisfied. I am also not sure that a technical text for engineers is right either. I certainly don't have the time to devote to learning this full time, as this is only a recreational interest.
My background is in theoretical condensed matter physics, particularly strongly correlated electronic systems, topological insulators, and spin-orbit coupling in ultra cold atoms. I have very little lab experience (I picked up a summer as an undergraduate in an experimental group) and I have no formal training in electronics or instrumentation. I do have formal training in scientific programming, but this yields little to no insight into the inner workings of a machine. I am looking for a text that will satisfy my curiosity for delving deeper into the workings of modern electronics and computers, but likely don't have the time, inclination, or training to follow a rigorous text for practicing experts. If not a book, I suppose I could settle for lecture notes, websites, or other accounts if anyone is aware of some at the level I am looking for.
TL;DR: I am looking for a source on electronics and/or computer architecture for a simple minded theorist at the "goldilocks" level between popular science and formal text.