I know wave mechanics fairly well (one semester of modern physics and two of physical chemistry) and I've begun learning the linear algebra formalism somewhat. Do you think this is enough to understand a solid state physics book? Even if it isn't, which book would you recomend? I would just like to see what I need to know to understand this stuff and I was hoping this would be an opportunity to learn QM better. Thanks a lot for your help.Modey3 said:Question. How familiar are you with with quantum mechanics.
The talk is going to be about 15 minutes long and be about work functions, pn junctions, band gaps and density of states.Dr Transport said:Look at either Yu and Cardona or Chuang, both have the material you will need to know for device physics using semiconductors. What is your talk on and we can taylor the reference material to support it...
A semiconductor is a material that has electrical conductivity between that of a conductor and an insulator. This means that it can conduct electricity, but not as easily as a metal, and it can also block or regulate the flow of electricity, unlike an insulator.
Semiconductors are used in a wide range of electronic devices, including computers, smartphones, TVs, and solar panels. They are essential components in transistors, which are used to amplify and switch electronic signals, and in integrated circuits, which are used to store and process digital information.
The band gap in a semiconductor is the energy difference between the valence band (where electrons are bound to atoms) and the conduction band (where electrons are free to move and conduct electricity). This gap determines the material's ability to conduct electricity and is an important factor in its use as a semiconductor.
Semiconductors are typically made from silicon, which is purified and then doped with impurities to create the desired electrical properties. This process involves growing a crystal of silicon and then adding impurities, such as boron or phosphorus, to create the desired type of semiconductor (p-type or n-type).
Some current developments in the field of semiconductors include the use of new materials, such as gallium nitride, which have better electrical properties, and the development of new manufacturing processes, such as 3D printing, to create more efficient and customizable semiconductors. There is also ongoing research into quantum computing, which uses the principles of quantum mechanics to process and store information using semiconductors.