Product Description
Low-dimensional semiconductor structures, often referred to as nanocrystals or quantum dots, exhibit fascinating behavior and have a multitude of potential applications, especially in the field of communications. This book examines in detail the optical properties of these structures, gives full coverage of theoretical and experimental results, and discusses their technological applications. The author begins by setting out the basic physics of electron states in crystals (adopting a "cluster-to-crystal" approach), and goes on to discuss the growth of nanocrystals, absorption and emission of light by nanocrystals, optical nonlinearities, interface effects, and photonic crystals. He illustrates the physical principles with references to actual devices such as novel light-emitters and optical switches. The book covers a rapidly developing, interdisciplinary field. It will be of great interest to graduate students of photonics or microelectronics, and to researchers in electrical engineering, physics, chemistry, and materials science. ... Read more

Product Description
An informal and highly accessible writing style, a simple treatment of mathematics, and clear guide to applications, have made this book a classic text in electrical and electronic engineering. Students will find it both readable and comprehensive. The fundamental ideas relevant to the understanding of the electrical properties of materials are emphasized; in addition, topics are selected in order to explain the operation of devices having applications (or possible future applications) in engineering.

The mathematics, kept deliberately to a minimum, is well within the grasp of a second-year student. This is achieved by choosing the simplest model that can display the essential properties of a phenomenom, and then examining the difference between the ideal and the actual behaviour.

The whole text is designed as an undergraduate course. However most individual sections are self contained and can be used as background reading in graduate courses, and for interested persons who want to explore advances in microelectronics, lasers, nanotechnology and several other topics that impinge on modern life. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

A fair introduction
I read this book for the first time in the university book store when shopping for a class. I ended up not taking the class, but the style was so accessible that I got a copy of the text anyway.

It isn't a rigorous text as noted by another reviewer, however that reviewer I believe missed the point of the text completely. Somewhere I recall the audience was suggested to be 2nd year college student. Electrical Engineers rarely have had quantum mechanics by that point, if they take it at all. A course our of Kittel, Ashcroft and Mermin or similar would be needed first to truly be rigorous. The class that covers many of the topics in this book is a 400 level class at Cornell, one that assumes both solid state, and quantum as previous courses. Clearly no book that starts with what an electron is will get to how a superconductor in so few pages, in a rigorous manner.

No the point of this text is to introduce some rules and wave ones hands a bit to see why they should be true. While a greater number of rules and postulates may be less satisfying to some, it can be ever bit as useful if you can remember them all.

Solymar and Walsh do this. Not flawlessly, but in a text that is readable. Readability is important. This book is readable in the sense that Feynman's books are. The book is good for someone in another field or as a basic intro, as long as you understand you are getting a sketch. Sketches are useful, this book is also. Recommended.

Do not purchase
Along the way, Dr. Solymar proves time and time again that he has not mastered many of the chemistry and physics topics that he attempts to explain. The uncertainty relation is proved via an arbitrarily chosen width for a wave packet without mention of the correct way to derive this relationship (found in any number of quantum mechanics books), and the final uncertainty relationship is stated incorrectly. Bragg's relationship is stated wrong. I guess he does not care to differentiate between greater than or equal to and greater than; nor between h and hbar (nor between the inclusion or exclusion of a factor of 2). However, for an introductory text, I would see it appropriate to get the equations and proof-approaches as correct as possible. If ugly algebra is what he is trying to avoid in this introductory text, he should at least provide the correct setups for each derivation, provide the relevant results, and guide the reader to alternative texts for a full-on mathematical work-up. Instead, what Dr. Solymar resorts to are cute, but useless stories, and arbitrary or unconventional approaches to 'prove' equations (usually not proofs at all, but a sequence of equalities showing that one result is consistent with another).

You wouldn't use arithmetic rules and algebraic laws learned in secondary school to prove the more basic set theory (which can be derived from a basic set of axioms); nor would you use Pauli's exclusions principle to prove the form of a multi-particle wave equation for identical/indistinguishable particles. Yet Dr. Solymar does exactly this: 'prove' things in the wrong direction, or start at a certain arbitrary result (without making explicit the assumptions), using this random starting point to 'prove' a very critical result.

Clear logic flow in this book is very much lacking. The book is however, rich in useless anthropomorphic analogies such as:

"Perhaps melodrama would be the right category [to characterize the Quantum Confined Stark Effect] considering the touching affection between electrons and holes. If we consider, however, how they stave off brutal intervention by the electric field with their backs against the potential wall, and how quickly all these things happen, then melodrama might give way to a thriller."

Bad does not begin to explain this book. Overall, it is not impossible nor difficult to learn from this book. However, your understanding of how to interface your mathematical toolset to physical problems will have serious holes and flaws if you follow this book too closely. If you want a firm grounding in electronic materials, take a look at Simon M. Sze's books. You might also want to consider Charles Kittel's introductory text in solid state physics (much more mathematically involved than Solymar however). Finally, I could also recommend Banerjee (Solid State Devices), which is also sometimes verbose. However, in the case of Banerjee, the verbosity is always in an effort to describe the nuances of the subject rather than as in the case of Solymar, the verbosity is usually an attempt to make a fairytale masterpiece out of a technical subject.

If you still have doubts about the quality of this book, please re-read the unedited quote I have taken out of the book above. If you want personified charge carriers, and violent electric fields, this book is perfect for you. This book is filled with enchanted and animated particles and forces and perilous land analogies you might expect in a fantasy book. I think for most, these ludicrous attempts at humor get old really fast and impede the reader's ability to get to the core of the concept.

Witty and Informative
This work demonstrates that scientists are people too!Solymar and Walsh offer a survey of a difficult subject in a manner that is easy to follow, and sometimes funny.The quantum mechanics of electronics are explained insufficient depth to be useful, but not overdone enough to be boring.Iespecially loved the section on superconductivity!The book offer may notbe the most in-depth on individual subjects, but it presents each subjectin a clear, understandable way.Wonderful for the student. ... Read more

Product Description
The book deals with the physics behind the technological challenge. Three materials from different material classes are considered: hydrogenated amorphous Si (a-Si:H), nanoporous Ti02, and fullerene films. The goal is to clarify the basic transport schemes in these materials, to summarize recent results, illustrate experimental methods, and to develop new ideas for photoelectric applications. The most advanced of the three materials is a-Si:H; its electronic properties have been studied extensively, and it is already used in many device applications. Here it is shown that a small set of parameters is sufficient for an assessment of material quality. Emphasis is also placed on how these parameters can be determined. The other two materials, porous nanocrystalline oxides and the fullerenes, are still at a stage of basic research. ... Read more

Product Description
This book, a collection of works by leading figures in thefield, is devoted to the latest developments of modern magnetismincluding micromagnetism, nanomagnetic materials, magneticmultilayers, macroscopic quantum magnetism, rare-earth intermetalliccompounds, giant magnetoresistance, and their applications. Some newconcepts and theories are also included for a better understanding ofthese novel phenomena.

This book can be used as an advanced text book on magnetism andmaterials science for graduate students in physics and materialsscience departments. It is also useful as a research reference forcondensed matter physicists and materials scientists. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

ASPECTS OF MODERN MAGNETISM
This book, a collection of works by leading figures in the field, is devoted to the latest developments of modern magnetism including micromagnetism, nanomagnetic materials, magnetic multilayers, macroscopic quantum magnetism, rare-earth intermetallic compounds, giant magnetoresistance, and their applications. Some new concepts and theories are also included for a better understanding of these novel phenomena.This book can be used as an advanced text book on magnetism and materials science for graduate students in physics and materials science departments. It is also useful as a research reference for condensed matter physicists and materials scientists.

Contents:

Fundamentals in Modern MagnetismSurface and Interface MagnetismGiant Magnetoresistance and Its ApplicationsNanomagnetic MaterialsNew Techniques in Modern Magnetism ... Read more

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This book examines the most recent developments in electronic conductive polymers. Topics include properties, applications, synthesis, processing and device fabrication. ... Read more

Product Description
This book covers a broad spectrum of the silicon-based materials and their device applications. This book provides a broad coverage of the silicon-based materials including different kinds of silicon-related materials, their processing, spectroscopic characterization, physical properties, and device applications.
This two-volume set offers a selection of timely topics on silicon materials namely those that have been extensively used for applications in electronic and photonic technologies. The extensive reference provides broad coverage of silicon-based materials, including different types of silicon-related materials, their processing, spectroscopic characterization, physical properties, and device applications. Fourteen chapters review the state of the art research on silicon-based materials and their applications to devices.
This reference contains a subset of articles published in AP's recently released Handbook of Advanced Electronic and Photonic Materials and Devices ( 2000, ISBN 012-5137451, ten volumes) by Dr. Hari Nalwa. This two-volume work strives to present a highly coherent coverage of silicon-based material uses in the vastly dynamic arena of silicon chip research and technology.

Key Features
* Covers silicon-based materials and devices
* Include types of materials, their processing, fabrication, physical
properties and device applications
* Role of silicon-based materials in electronic and photonic technology
* A very special topic presented in a timely manner and in a format ... Read more

Product Description
With contributions from an international group of well-known authors, this volume discusses recent advances in the field of magnetic materials, and the impact these have had on modern technology.
A wide range of related areas are covered including; the physics of magnetic phenomena in solids, magnetization in ferromagnetics, amorphous and microcrystalline soft and hard magnetic materials, rare earth and intermetallic alloys, magnetic thin films and multilayers, growth and preparation of materials and magnetic properties of High Tc Superconductors.
This volume will be of interest to workers in condensed matter physics, materials science and magnetic materials and their applications. ... Read more

Product Description
Quasicrystals are a new form of the solid state which differ from the other two known forms, crystalline and amorphous, by possesing a new type of long-range translational order, called quasiperiodicty, and a noncrystallographic orientational order. This book provides an up-to-date description of the unusual physical properties of these new materials. Emphasis is placed on the experimental results, which are compared with those of the corresponding crystalline and amorphous systems and discussed in terms of modern theoretical models. Written by leading authorities in the field, the book will be of great use both to experienced workers in the field and to uninitiated graduate students. ... Read more

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Jasprit Singh presents the underlying physics behind devices that drive today's technologies utilizing carefully chosen solved examples to convey important concepts. Real-world applications are highlighted throughout the book, stressing the links between physical principles and actual devices. The volume provides engineering and physics students and professionals with complete coverage of key modern semiconductor concepts. A solutions manual and set of viewgraphs for use in lectures is available for instructors, from solutions@cambridge.org. ... Read more

Product Description
The fifth edition of this renowned text is a particularly readable and accessible introduction to the fundamentals of the electrical properties of materials.As in past editions, this book provides an informative, up-to-date reference while retaining its original goal--to present a comprehensive introduction to the field.The book includes discussions emphasizing present and future applications in engineering, clear explanations of concepts that students find difficult, and an introduction to quantum mechanics. For this edition, the text has been updated and revised to reflect developments that have taken place over the past five years.Particular attention has been paid to developments in semiconductor technologies and to practical aspects of continuing miniaturization.In addition, new high temperature superconducting materials, developments in optical fibres and amplifiers, and magnetic materials are covered. Culled from the authors' popular and engaging lectures on the subject, this book deliberately keeps the mathematical treatment simple and well within the grasp of second-year engineering students.It remains a highly readable yet rigorous introduction to the subject for students in electrical and electronic engineering. ... Read more

Product Description
This invaluable textbook presents the basic elements needed to understand and research into semiconductor physics. It deals with elementary excitations in bulk and low-dimensional semiconductors, including quantum wells, quantum wires and quantum dots. The basic principles underlying optical nonlinearities are developed, including excitonic and many-body plasma effects. Fundamentals of optical bistability, semiconductor lasers, femtosecond excitation, the optical Stark effect, the semiconductor photon echo, magneto-optic effects, as well as bulk and quantum-confined Franz–Keldysh effects, are covered. The material is presented in sufficient detail for graduate students and researchers with a general background in quantum mechanics. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Good one time reading.
The book is truly a required reading for anyone, who wants to work in the field of semiconductor opticas. The choice of topics and the presentation are excellent. However, the book does not go really deep in any of the topics, therefore I doubt that anyone will read this book more than once or use it as a reference.
Some topic and, especially, equations may seem too overused in later books and review papers, but apparently this book was the first to present them and here they are truly enlightening.
... Read more

Product Description
This book is a festschrift in honour of Professor Kazuko Motizuki on the occasion of her retirement from Osaka University. She has been active in a variety of branches of solid state physics and, in particular, has made an important contribution to the theory of magnetism. The book reviews recent advantages in magnetism of transition metal compounds, both for itinerant electron systems and localized spin systems. For the former systems, band calculational methods, correlation effects, and theoretical aspects of photoemission spectroscopy are reviewed generally, and then recent progress in the theoretical and experimental understanding of magnetic properties of various kinds of intermetallic compounds and intercalation compounds of transition-metal dichalcogenides are reviewed in detail. For the latter systems, attention is focused on quantum effects, frustration and competing interaction in low-dimensional systems. Main subjects treated in the book are haldane gap-systems, singlet-grount-state systems, trinagular spin systems, and quantum spin chains with competing interactions. ... Read more

Product Description
Gives an introduction to the optical properties of solids, including many new topics that have not been previously covered in other solid state texts at this level. Softcover. Hardcover available. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

good basic introduction
I thought this book was a good basic introduction to the field of optical properties of solids. The strong point of this book is that it is well organized and gives many examples. It starts with the basics of Maxwell's equation, then moves on to talk about luminescence, excitons, quantum wells, luminescence centers ... I enjoyed reading about the examples given. It gives many basic descriptions of how optoelectronics device work such as light emitting diodes and Ti:sapphire lasers.

This book is geared toward anybody who has taken one semester of basic quantum and one semester of electricity and magnetism. It is easy to read and contains many diagrams. Chapters end with a useful list of references that go into more details. This book is not a reference for graduate level treatment of optical properties of solids. The nonlinear optics part is short and shallow. The quantum mechanical description is basic.

Overall, I would recommend this book to anybody that is learning for the first time about optical properties of solids. Solid state physics textbooks by Ashcroft & Mermin and Kittel do not contain a useful and up-to-date section on optical properties of solids. This book fills the gap. ... Read more