Subject Groups
The Semiconductor Physics Group
Semiconductor physics is recognised as one of the major areas of condensed matter science and forms the core of modern solid state device technology. The Group was formed in 1982 in response to the need for a common forum for industrial and university researchers concerned with the physics, preparation and application of semiconducting materials and device structures. The Group membership is a large one and many members have a background not just in physics but also in electronics, chemistry, and materials science. The Group has always interacted closely with government funding bodies and played an important part in encouraging initiatives such as the SERC's Low Dimensional Structures Programme in the UK.
The Group is very active in the organization of scientific meetings ranging from an afternoon to several days in duration. The character of the meetings varies from that appropriate for first-year postgraduates to conferences of international standard. It is very active in organizing symposia at the Institute's Condensed Matter and Materials Physics Division Annual Conference each December. A number of the symposia as well as the short meetings are held jointly with other Groups when common interest makes this desirable. Many of these meetings are concerned with the preparation of complex multilayer semiconductor structures by techniques such as molecular beam epitaxy and metal organic chemical vapour deposition and in the development and application of scientific methods to probe the physics of these structures. Important questions arise in our understanding of the physics of solids when electrons are confined in very narrow potential wells and when carrier movement is restricted to one and two dimensions. A range of new solid state devices is now being made based on recent discoveries in this area and many more potential devices have been proposed. Thus the device technologists are constantly interacting with scientists probing fundamental aspects of the field and a forum where these can exchange ideas is particularly important at the present time.
Additional information
A useful frequently updated web page with many links to semiconductor research laboratories, data sheets, suppliers, organisations, a long list of conferences can be found on semiconductors-direct.
A lighthearted but still useful web site is at Britney's Guide to Semiconductor Physics.
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