Semiconductor Physics
Semiconductor physics is the branch of solid-state physics that studies the electrical, optical, and thermal properties of semiconductor materials, such as silicon and gallium arsenide. It explains phenomena like band gaps, carrier transport, and doping, which are fundamental to modern electronics. This knowledge underpins the design and operation of devices like transistors, diodes, and integrated circuits.
Developers should learn semiconductor physics when working on hardware-adjacent software, such as embedded systems, IoT devices, or low-level programming for microcontrollers, as it helps optimize code for power efficiency and performance. It's also crucial for roles in semiconductor design, EDA tools, or quantum computing, where understanding material behavior informs algorithm development and system architecture.