Description: This text on the electrical, optical, magnetic, and thermal properties of materials stresses concepts rather than mathematical formalism. Suitable for advanced undergraduates, it is intended for materials and electrical engineers who want to gain a fundamental understanding of alloys, semiconductor devices, lasers, magnetic materials, and so forth. The book is organized to be used in a one-semester course; to that end each section of applications, after the introduction to the fundamentals of electron theory, can be read independently of the others. Many examples from engineering practice serve to provide an understanding of common devices and methods. Among the modern applications covered are: high-temperature superconductors, optoelectronic materials, semiconductor device fabrication, xerography, magneto-optic memories, and amorphous ferromagnetics. This third edition has been revised and updated throughout and includes new sections on thermoelectric phenomena; piezoelectric, ferroelectric, and electrostrictive materials; and liquid-crystal and other flat-panel displays.
Customer Reviews
Review Summary: A great reference text. Well organized and presented.
Date: 2003-06-12
Details: This is an excellent text for every electrical engineering student whether graduate or undergraduate. I found the information to be clear and concise which made the concepts easily manageable. The use of mathematical formulas are placed in such a way as to aid with the reading rather than to be overbearing as other solid-state physics texts can be. The author does a great job in sectioning the book into parts, thereby making it easier to focus on a particular area of interest without having to hunt for the deisred information. For practicing engineers, this is a good reference book, especially if you are looking to gain a further understanding of device physics.
Review Summary: Easy to read, concept-oriented treatment of the subject.
Date: 1999-09-01
Details: The author should be commended for writing a textbook that focuses on the concepts instead of mathematical formulas, making the subject easy to comprehend. At the same time, the formulas are there for more indepth understanding. Overall, a good textbook for an undergraduate student of materials science.