Chapter 1 Lecture 1
1.1 Introductory Remarks
Solid State is a new subject, one which is living through its history. It draws on most of theoretical achievements of the 20th century physics. Research into Solid State is to an unparallelel vibrancy level. Its estimated that about half of the research physics work in the area. It also gives physical insight which changes society.
1.2 What We Hope to Cover
We will explain how microscopic physical theories that can explain and even predict macroscopic properties such as optical, electrical and thermal properties.
1.3 Scope
The usefulness of Solid State goes as far as
-
really pure(ish) cystrals
- a small fraction of actual solids but a very important selection
however it says more or less than nothing about the chemical or mechanical properties of materials.
1.4 A Brief History
-
1830:
- Charles Babbage designed his Analytical Engine which was a mechanical computer. Although never completed (until recently, the money/technology was not available) it laided the foundations for computer design
- 1904:
- the first Valve was patented by John Fleming
- 1911:
- superconductivity was first seen in Hg
- 1912:
- Max von Laues' PhD student showed that crystals diffract X-rays and Bragg formulates laws with his dad (Abdel in 1915)
- 1920:
- Felix Bloch has his theorem. This provided a huge simplification of the Quantum Mechanics with solids
- 1947:
- ENIAC model of valves was formed
- 1948:
- the transister was invented in the Bells Lab in the USA
- 1958:
- Jack Kilby puts transisters onto a chip
- 1963:
- Herb Kromer proposes diode lasers and Zhores Alkfer makes them