Semiconductor Basics: A Qualitative, Non-mathematical Explanation of How Semiconductors Work and How They are Used

Didn’t get much out of a large portion of this book. Think the author tries to cover too many topics in a rushed way. Parts on semiconductor manufacturing very helpful. The book is stuck between being written for beginners and professionals. Many concepts not easy to follow and very technical without big picture.

This is an extraordinary book of unprecedented scope and accessibility spanning semiconductor technology from the earliest glimmer of quantum phenomena through to quantum computers. The bulk of the book covers existing, practical devices from the semiconductor (pn) diode up through microprocessors. Each chapter focuses on a topic which advances this journey from the smallest individual semiconductor device up through the most highly integrated and complex. In the final chapter the author gives a peek at current semiconductor research and the implications for the future.The author's style is very readable and friendly explaining each topic in a qualitative and accessible approach usually with a few algebraic equations to reinforce the concepts. In a number of chapters the author uses well chosen analogies to illustrate the underlying concepts. In addition, for those readers wanting to go deeper into the topic, each chapter has an appendix with more detailed material usually with more algebraic equations. The book reflects the author's 30+ years of experience in the semiconductor industry and includes his contributions to the James Webb space telescope.This book is a valuable resource for anyone from high school on up in experience who would like to gain a greater understanding of semiconductor technology. Due to the book's topical nature, chapters in this book could be read in selected fashion. Possible selections include just pn junctions and transistors; or semiconductors and infrared detectors; or transistors and basic analog circuits; or transistors and integrated circuit fabrication; or transistors and digital logic circuits; or pn junctions and optoelectronics.Highlights of the book include the first chapter which starts with the earliest phenomena which only later came to be understood to be due to quantum mechanics. The second chapter has an exceptionally accessible explanation on the formation of energy bands and their relationship to insulators, semiconductors, and conductors. The fourth chapter on infrared detectors contains the design and fabrication of one of the detectors in the James Webb space telescope. Chapter 10 on integrated circuit fabrication starts with silicon purification and describes the photolithography process and clean rooms. Of course, the other chapters are also of tremendous interest.The book contains a section of glossy color illustrations which bring to life concepts in various chapters. These figures are particularly effective in illustrating transistor internal conditions when in various operating states and in illustrating the fabrication of semiconductor devices.While I found the book truly remarkable, I was surprised by the number of errors in the text. On-line I looked for, but did not find, an errata. While some errors are simple typos, other errors could confuse a meticulous reader (e.g., such as a sign error, or truth table error). Due to the number and type of errors I hesitate to give this book a 5-star rating despite it otherwise superbly achieving its objectives.I own this book having received it as a Christmas present after seeing it in the local library.