Understanding Semiconductor Physics: A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around resources and foundational concepts in semiconductor physics, particularly for beginners. Participants share their experiences with textbooks and seek clarification on key terms and concepts such as the Fermi-level, band-gap, valence band, and conduction band. The scope includes theoretical understanding and resource recommendations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses difficulty understanding semiconductor physics and seeks resources beyond their textbook.
  • Another participant questions the prerequisite knowledge for the course, suggesting that context is important for understanding terms like "e."
  • A suggestion is made that the linked formula sheet is more of a memory aid than a learning tool, emphasizing the need for context in learning the formulas.
  • Participants discuss the importance of understanding foundational concepts and recommend checking course syllabi or asking professors for clarification on expected knowledge.
  • Several participants recommend a free textbook aimed at electrical engineering students, noting its accessibility for those with limited background in quantum mechanics.
  • One participant mentions the need for QuickTime to access animations in the recommended textbook, while another comments on the book's quality despite some issues.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the importance of foundational knowledge in semiconductor physics and the need for appropriate resources. However, there is no consensus on the specific prerequisites for the course or the best resources, as different suggestions are made.

Contextual Notes

Some participants highlight the potential limitations of the formula sheet due to lack of context, and there is uncertainty regarding whether the concepts in question are expected to be learned in the current course or if they are prerequisites.

TheRealBillNye
Does anyone know of a good resource for semiconductor physics? I can't find much for it and the textbook isn't much help. Here is a https://filebin.net/8navybb1hnt50wi9/Formulae_2017.pdfandhttps://filebin.net/8navybb1hnt50wi9/Formulae_2017.pdfthe textbook is an introduction to semiconductor devices by Donald Neamenhttps://filebin.net/8navybb1hnt50wi9/Formulae_2017.pdfI've read the first 150 pages of the textbook and reviewed notes from my prof but physics is just way too complicated. Most symbols have different meanings (some of the equations have "e" as in natural log, others have "e" as in charge of an electron) and I'm not sure what most of the equations are used for. There are many terms I don't understand and cannot find anything about, what is the Fermi-level, band-gap, valence band or the conduction band. If anyone has a good resource to help with this I'd really appreciate it.https://filebin.net/8navybb1hnt50wi9/Formulae_2017.pdf
 
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These are some new concepts. How did you do in the courses which were prerequisites for this one? Distinguishing between different meanings of e is in context used.
 
Your linked formula sheet lists a number of formulas without context, so it would appear to be useful as a reminder/memory aid, not a learning tool per se. Each formula will either be introduced in context in your current course, or should have been introduced in a prerequisite course.

You can discuss the concepts of semiconductor structure and properties at the atomic level in the physics technical forums; The forum, Atomic & Condensed Matter, in particular comes to mind for questions about the electronic properties of materials.

Since the topic of this thread is not a specific homework problem, I am moving it to Atomic & Condensed Matter to see how it fares there.
 
TheRealBillNye said:
There are many terms I don't understand and cannot find anything about, what is the Fermi-level, band-gap, valence band or the conduction band.

What exactly is the prerequisite for this course that you are taking? Are you supposed to already know these concepts, or are you expected to learn these concepts in this class? Ask your professor!

If you google any of those words, you'll find tons of materials online. Even Hyperphysics has a nice, encyclopedia-type information for them. Have you looked?

These concepts have detailed, in-depth physics that one can learn from a solid state physics textbook and a solid-state physics class. Were you expected to have already taken such a class? Or are these solid-state concepts to be taught in this class that you are taking? Look at the syllabus or course outline. If not, again, ask your professor. Otherwise, learning the physics behind these concepts is a separate course in itself!

Zz.
 
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This is a pretty comprehensive free textbook with an introduction to the physics assuming little background, as it is intended for electrical engineering students who usually have taken at most one quantum mechanics course (and that is still uncommon):
http://ecee.colorado.edu/~bart/book/
 
Crass_Oscillator said:
This is a pretty comprehensive free textbook with an introduction to the physics assuming little background, as it is intended for electrical engineering students who usually have taken at most one quantum mechanics course (and that is still uncommon):
http://ecee.colorado.edu/~bart/book/
It looks like worth a look. It needs QuickTime for the animations to run, which I realize I have never installed on my new computer.
It looks pretty interesting, even without animations.
 
scottdave said:
It looks like worth a look. It needs QuickTime for the animations to run, which I realize I have never installed on my new computer.
It looks pretty interesting, even without animations.
It's actually a pretty good book, aside from a few poorly written passages here and there, along with some typesetting problems.
 

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