Applied Physics

The Physics and Technology of Semiconductor Devices offers a comprehensive treatment of the physical principles underpinning today's semiconductor devices. Tracing the field from its origins and the evolution of Moore's Law, the book offers an integrated perspective on how device physics, materials science and design innovations have shaped and continue to shape the information age.

Beginning with the evolution of the MOSFET and the foundations of band theory, the book leads readers into the physics of state-of-the-art transistors including finFETs, nanowire FETs and nanosheet devices, alongside high-frequency components and solar-energy technologies. Emphasis is placed on charge transport, band structure methods, scaling behaviour and the physical limits of device performance. Specialised device classes such as tunnel FETs, spin-based concepts, high-electron-mobility transistors and hot-carrier solar cells are introduced with discussion of their opportunities and constraints.

Readers are guided through key themes including:

• Modern MOSFET architectures and their departure from classical planar devices
• Energy band theory in one, two and three dimensions, with real-space and momentum-space methods
• p-n junction physics, current flow and structural variants
• Scaling theory, velocity limits and ballistic considerations in advanced logic devices
• Microwave and high-frequency devices, including III-V material systems and realistic cutoff frequencies
• Photovoltaic device physics, efficiency limits, heterojunctions and emerging hot-carrier concepts

Combining a theoretical understanding with practical device engineering, this book is ideal for graduate students, researchers and practising engineers, serving both as a high-level textbook and an authoritative reference.