Slashdot Mirror


Primers for Semiconductor Physics?

mactom asks: "Hello, I am a physics engineer with a background in lasers (non semiconductor), but during the last years I have slipped into a job in semiconductor technology development. We define the manufacturing technology and how the transistors, diodes and other devices are to be designed and manufactured on the silicon level. First I did lithography only but now I am involved in layout and design of devices and in the whole technology development. After all of this, I've discovered that I have some serious gaps in my semiconductor physics understanding! I need some suggestions for books, tutorials or even seminars (in Europe/Germany) about semiconductor physics. Yes, I have some books already, but I always have the feeling that I miss something important when I do some self studying. So, I need some 'semiconductor for dummies' books or seminars.Any suggestions?"

4 of 36 comments (clear)

  1. Britney's Guide to Semiconductor Physics by 74X0R · · Score: 5, Informative

    Try Britney Spears' illustrated primer, here.

  2. Mead and Conway... by PaulBu · · Score: 4, Informative

    No, really! That was one of the (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/020 1043580/qid=1091570616/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/102-97293 58-6063327?v=glance&s=books)
    books that actually started the whole field, and they had to explain what the whole semi technology was to the "non-initiated" physicists.

    I know how you feel, I've been trying to make a similar transition from superconductor electronics back into the mainstream, and whereever I come I can start from discussing if the place uses classic Mead-Conway colors for their layouts, of if not why not? ;-) And yes, people do relate to that! ;-)

    Another good book which an older friend of mine swears by is the Andy Grove's book on semiconductor processes (more oriented towards fab than design), can not get the link now (maybe it is out of print), but the guy who had started Intel can not be TOO wrong, right?

    Gray and Meyer wrote (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/047 1321680/qid=1091571023/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/102-97293 58-6063327?v=glance&s=books)
    this book, my new boss suggested it for me to read (took it off his bookshelf and it takes its well-deserved position on my desk now, I move it around once in a while to indicate the fact that I am checking it out ;-) ), more of analog design with transistors stuff, like how would one build a really good amp and what it takes to design that without computers, SPICE and everything.

    Make your pick! ;-)

    Paul B.

  3. You can't make up this stuff by nusratt · · Score: 4, Funny

    Absolutely on the level...
    I went to the Amazon URL provided for Mead & Conway in a prior post.
    Halfway down the page, it says:
    "Customers interested in Introduction to VLSI Systems may also be interested in:

    Free service to meet singles"

    Boy, their artificial intelligence systems are a lot sharper than I imagined!

  4. Good book for both CMOS and bipolar device physics by Slack(er)ware · · Score: 4, Informative

    A good book that covers device modeling and design for both CMOS and bipolar VLSI devices is "Fundamentals of Modern VLSI Devices" by Yuan Tar and Tak Ning. It doesn't cover fabrication much but it does a great job of introducing the various electrical effects that modern process integration engineers have to deal with. For a more process-oriented approach there is always Andy Grove's book "Physics and Technology of Semiconductor Devices."