Both of academic-specific and career-specific.berkeman said:Semiconductor Physics would be a subset of Material Science, no? Although most Material Science graduates will not be specialists in Semiconductor Physics. Which are you most interested in? Is your question more academic-specific or career-specific or science-specific? We can help you better if you ask a more detailed question.
Fair enough. I've moved your question to the Academic Guidance forum for now to get you more focused replies.MOKHTAR said:
Not sure whether it is still in operation, but wasn't there a company near Dresden that produced wavers? Should be not so difficult to figure out and eventually visit them. Not sure how far Leipzig is for you, but Dresden and Leipzig is a matter of an hour.MOKHTAR said:
(1) That's an example of a physics program. Do you have an example of a materials science program? At major US universities, most (not all) materials programs are combined materials science and engineering (MS&E) programs. To re-emphasize previous info, semiconductor physics is a subset of physics, and semiconductor materials is a subset of materials science and engineering. Semiconductor devices and materials are also covered in many electrical engineering departments. There is considerable overlap between the three; emphasis and approaches, as well as knowledge applicable beyond semiconductors, vary.MOKHTAR said:
Semiconductor physics is the branch of physics that studies the properties and behavior of materials known as semiconductors. These materials have electrical conductivity between that of a conductor and an insulator, and are widely used in electronic devices.
Semiconductor physics is a crucial aspect of material science, as it deals with the fundamental properties and behavior of semiconducting materials. Material scientists use this knowledge to design and develop new materials with specific properties for various applications.
Some common semiconducting materials include silicon, germanium, gallium arsenide, and indium phosphide. These materials are used in various electronic devices such as transistors, diodes, and solar cells.
Semiconductors have a lower electrical conductivity than conductors, but higher than insulators. This is due to their unique band structure, which allows them to conduct electricity under certain conditions. In contrast, conductors have a completely filled valence band, while insulators have a completely empty valence band.
Semiconductor physics has numerous practical applications, including electronic devices such as computers, smartphones, and televisions. It is also used in renewable energy technologies such as solar cells and LEDs. Additionally, semiconductor physics plays a crucial role in the development of nanotechnology and quantum computing.