Introduction to the Electronic Properties of Materials - Tapa dura

The subject of electronics, and in particular the electronic properties of materials, is one which has experienced unprecedented growth in the last thirty years. The discovery of the transistor and the subsequent development of integrated circuits has enabled us to manipulate and control the electronic properties of materials to such an extent that the entire telecommunications and computer industries are dependent on the electronic properties of a few semiconducting materials. The subject area is now so important that no modern physics, materials science or electrical engineering degree programme can be considered complete without a significant lecture course in electronic materials. Ultimately the course requirements of these three groups of students may be quite different, but at the initial stages of the discussion of electronic properties of materials, the course requirements are broadly identical for each of these groups. Furthermore, as the subject continues to grow in importance, the initial teaching of this vital subject needs to occur earlier in the curriculum in order to give the students sufficient time later to cover the increasing amount of material.

There has been an unprecedented growth of interest in the electronic properties of materials over the past thirty years. This text provides a complete and structured approach to the understanding and description of the various properties of materials which are dependent on their electronic structure, the main objective is to provide an understanding of the diverse range of electronic materials and their properties. The text begins with simple definitions to qualify the properties of interest before describing the elementary underlying physics of electrons in materials. The electrical, thermal, magnetic and optical properties are then explained on the basis of electrons in materials. Finally the engineering applications of these materials in microelectronics, optoelectronics, magnetic recording, superconductivity, transducers and radiation detection are discussed, with the description of the applications of each of these important technological areas carefully related to the underlying explanations given earlier in the text. Each chapter contains numerous problems and complete worked solutions to every one is given in the apppendicies. As with the authors previous text, Introduction to magnetism and magnetic materials, the subject area under discussion is truly multidisciplinary, spanning the traditional subject areas of physics, electrical engineering and materials science. The presentation should be of interest to two groups of students: those who have a primary interest in electronic materials and who need an introductory text as a stepping stone to more advanced texts; and those whose primary interest lies elsewhere but who would nevertheless benef it from a broad knowledge of the subject. Practising engineers in related industries seeking a comprehensive overview of the subject will also find this text invaluable.