The Physics of Low-dimensional Semiconductors: An Introduction [Paperback]

John H. Davies (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 13, 1997 | ISBN-10: 052148491X | ISBN-13: 978-0521484916

Low-dimensional systems have revolutionized semiconductor physics and had a tremendous impact on technology. Using simple physical explanations, with reference to examples from actual devices, this book introduces the general principles essential to low-dimensional semiconductors. The author presents a formalism that describes low-dimensional semiconductor systems, studying two key systems in detail: the two-dimensional electron gas, employed in field-effect transistors, and the quantum well, whose optical properties have multiple applications in lasers and other opto-electronic devices. The book will be invaluable to undergraduate and first-year graduate physics or electrical engineering students taking courses in low-dimensional systems or heterostructure device physics.

Editorial Reviews

Book Description

Using simple physical explanations, this book introduces the general principles that underlie low-dimensional semiconductor heterostructures. The author describes the properties of two low-dimensional semiconductor systems in detail: the two-dimensional electron gas and the quantum well. The book will be invaluable to undergraduate and first-year graduate physics or electrical engineering students studying low-dimensional systems or heterostructure device physics.

Product Details

• Paperback: 460 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (December 13, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 052148491X
• ISBN-13: 978-0521484916
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 7 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #827,650 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Introduction, March 16, 2002

By 

"civmaster" (Princeton, NJ USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Physics of Low-dimensional Semiconductors: An Introduction (Hardcover)

The first book you should read if you wanna do some Low Dimentional Electron Physics and only learned Solid State Physics before. It just covers all topics in this field --- with the knowledge in this book, you could read any new paper published recently.
And this book's written style is very friendly --- just a textbook! So it could be finished in 2 days if you know the basic notions in Solid State Physics and concentrate on it.

So there is no match for such a good introductory book --- there's no other ones like this --- I searched a lot when I tried to enter this field, and this is a good choice:)

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A first taste of mesoscopic physics, October 13, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Physics of Low-dimensional Semiconductors: An Introduction (Paperback)

Readable introductions to mesoscopic physics are few and far between, many being either far too simplistic and naive or too mired in formalism. Davies gives clear and lucid discussions of such topics as electron confinement in quantum wells, the integral quantum Hall effect, quantum point contacts, and MODFET's/HEMT's. Although by no means extensive and in depth, Davies does point out simplifications and refers the interested reader to relevant references for more details. Overall, it is a balanced introduction.

This book is a useful point of entry for undergraduates to low-dimensional semiconductor physics. Reading this book is good preparation for more advanced and specialized literature including: Solid State Physics vol. 44 ed. Ehrenreich and Turnbull; Perspectives in Quantum Hall Effects, Das Sarma and Pinczuk.

As with any new text, there are errata but an up to date webpage of corrections is maintained by the author.

5.0 out of 5 stars Very good book only for the seniors, April 6, 2011

By 

phys - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Physics of Low-dimensional Semiconductors: An Introduction (Paperback)

The book is pretty good and very useful! What I find most exciting is that the author always explains you the phenomena physically --- not only mathematically, which helps you to have a better understanding of the physical mechanisms. I ensure you that you will have a clearly "feeling" of the phenomena which are badly explained in other books.

Each figure is well prepared, each sentence is clearly written. This is a book need to be read extensively, not roughly. This is also a great reference book since it does not struggles with too much details but only the essentials.

But you'd better have learnt Quantum Mechanics and Solid State Physics before. Otherwise, you will find yourself lost. Therefore this book is NOT written for a freshman.