Semiconductor Devices: Physics and Technology [Paperback]

Simon M. Sze (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0471874248 | ISBN-13: 978-0471874249 | Publication Date: April 1985 | Edition: 1

A basic introduction to the physical properties of semiconductor devices and fabrication technology, this work presents the theoretical and practical aspects of every step in device fabrication, with an emphasis on integrated circuits. Divided into three parts, it covers the basic properties of semiconductors and processes, emphasizing silicon and gallium arsenide; the physics and characteristics of semiconductor devices, bipolar and unipolar devices, and special microwave and photonic devices; and the latest processing technologies, from crystal growth to lithographic pattern transfer.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Solutions Manual and Student's Solutions Manual available. -- The publisher, John Wiley & Sons

From the Publisher

A basic introduction to the physical properties of semiconductor devices and fabrication technology, this work presents the theoretical and practical aspects of every step in device fabrication, with an emphasis on integrated circuits. Divided into three parts, it covers the basic properties of semiconductors and processes, emphasizing silicon and gallium arsenide; the physics and characteristics of semiconductor devices, bipolar and unipolar devices, and special microwave and photonic devices; and the latest processing technologies, from crystal growth to lithographic pattern transfer.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 523 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (April 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471874248
• ISBN-13: 978-0471874249
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #501,192 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

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17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Basic Introduction for Engineers, July 12, 2003

By 

"radagasty" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Semiconductor Devices: Physics and Technology, 2nd Edition (Hardcover)

This is a welcome 2nd edition of Sze's basic introduction to the technology underlying modern conventional semiconductor devices. The first edition of 1985 served the needs of its time admirably, but the 17 years since have seen much progress in the field, especially in the area of fabrication technology.

It should be stressed that this text is an introductory text, covering the basics well, but not taking the material much beyond the intermediate level. It is also very much an engineering text rather than a physics text, for the focus is squarely placed on the technology and not the underlying solid-state physics. As such, it is suited to undergraduate electrical/electronic engineers wishing to gain some appreciation of the physics underpinning conventional semiconductor devices, and the way they are fabricated, or for physicists wishing to gain some perspective on the fabrication and operation of the same, but it is in no way a comprehensive textbook on semiconductor physics.

Nevertheless, the material that is presented is well chosen, and well explained. The English prose style is somewhat pedestrian, but this is no great flaw in an engineering textbook. All the essentials of semiconductor materials (almost exclusively Si and GaAs) are described, the p-n junction, as well as the major device types (BJTs, (MOS/MES)FETs, microwave diodes, LEDs, lasers, etc.) and the modern technologies employed for their fabrication. In some senses, the section on fabrication technologies, taking up fully a third of the book, is perhaps its best section, for fabrication is rarely given such emphasis (although, again, not detailed, but covering most salient points) in an introductory book.

The pedagogical method employed by Sze is sound, and relevant worked examples are provided. The only short-coming is perhaps the relative brevity of the end-of-chapter problems, for which no answers are provided, but, in such a textbook, I feel that it is not really necessary to work through them to gain a solid grasp of the material presented.

Physically, the book is much more attractive than the previous edition. The cover is more appealling, and the text is well set in a two-colour print. The diagrams are nothing special, but they are generally clear and explain their point well, and are certainly much improved from the first edition, especially those in the fabrication section.

Just a final comment on other reviews: it is difficult to see how this book may be regarded as a bible of any sort, for the material is covered in quite a superficial manner. I wonder if they are not mistaking it for the 'big Sze', viz., Sze's 'Physics of Semiconductor Devices', which is another, much larger and more comprehensive, work of Sze's.

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The book I use every day, May 12, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Semiconductor Devices: Physics and Technology (Paperback)

Explains the basic concepts in device physics well. Covers generic process steps used to make most semiconductors. Probably a bit outdated, though physics hasn't changed much since 1985. This book is referred to as "eazy Sze" around my office, which is a refrence to "hard Sze"--The physics of semiconductor devices, 1981. "Hard Sze" is the ultimate refrence for device physics.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Falling a bit short in both physics and technology, July 26, 2008

By 

Visitor_of_Universe - See all my reviews

This review is from: Semiconductor Devices: Physics and Technology, 2nd Edition (Hardcover)

I started using this book for my undergraduate course in semiconductor technology, and I believe I would have failed the exam if I relied solely on it.

Let me explain: the exposition is really exciting and consistent, but if you were interested in the physics side of the phenomena in semiconductors and semiconductor devices, you'd be left wanting for more. "Just when it was getting interesting", you are left with a few paragraphs that just aren't there. If you are the least scientifically curious, this will most likely frustrate you (it is also a credit to Sze as a scientific author, as he made you actually want to know more, through his systematic exposition). I found that even the very old cornerstone book "Electrons and Holes in Semiconductors" by Shockley, gives more satisfaction to the reader, as Shockley has a much broader, freer and thorough approach at discussing the physics of semiconductors.

From the technological point of view, the book in question doesn't seem very useful. It works on some fundamentals but, again, it will only get your lips wet but thirsty. Still, I think Sze tried to cover the bases in a field that is in explosive development such as semiconductor technology.

From both points of view - physics and technology - the book feels a lot like a teaser for Sze's masterpiece, "Physics of Semiconductor Devices" (2nd edition), which is a book I would wholeheartedly recommend without reservations. And herein lies the reason why I gave this ("Semiconductor Devices") book only three stars: if I give 5 stars to "Physics of Semiconductor Devices" by the same author, then the object of this review deserves 3. Seeing as though the price of both books is almost the same, this should at least make you think for a moment.