The maturation of epitaxial crystal growth capabilities, such as molecularbeam epitaxy and chemical beam epitaxy, has enabled the realization of a host of new ultrasmall semiconductor devices. Aside from the feature size reduction of conventional semiconductor devices, particularly transistors, a totally new class of semiconductor devices has been invented. These structures, called superlattices/multiple-quantum-well devices, consist of alternating layers of different semiconductor materials, often measuring only a few atomic layers thick. These new semiconductor devices operate well within the range in which quantum-mechanical phenomena become prevalent. As a consequence, most new semiconductor devices behave according to quantum-mechanical effects rather than classical effects. Therefore the understanding of these new device types requires a firm grounding in the basics of quantum mechanics. It is the purpose of this book to introduce the engineering student, particularly those interested in studying solid-state devices, to the principles of quantum mechanics, statistical mechanics, and solid-state physics. Following this introduction, the physics of semiconductors and various device structures is examined.

The book contains fourteen chapters in total. The first four chapters are concerned with the standard principles of quantum mechanics for a one-particle system. I have attempted to condense the vast literature on this subject into just four chapters that will present the salient features of quantum mechanics. I have included a few topics, most notably a short presentation on relativistic quantum mechanics, for completeness. The instructor may elect to skip different sections as he or she sees fit.