Introduction to Quantum mechanics and PRINCIPLES

The goal of this text is to help readers understand the operation and characteristics
of semiconductor devices. Ideally, we would like to begin discussing
these devices immediately. However, in order to understand the currentvoltage
characteristics, we need some knowledge of the electron behavior in a crystal
when the electron is subjected to various potential functions.
The motion of large objects, such as planets and satellites, can be predicted to a
high degree of accuracy using classical theoretical physics based on Newton's laws
of motion. But certain experimental results, involving electrons and high-frequency
electromagnetic waves, appear to he inconsistent with classical physics. However,
these experimental results can be predicted by the principles of quantum mechanics.
The quantum mechanical wave theory is the basis for the theory of semiconductor
physics.
We are ultimately interested in semiconductor materials whose electrical properties
arc directly related to the behavior of electrons in the crystal lattice. The behavior
and characteristics of these electrons can be described by the formulation of
quantum mechanics called wave mechanics. The essential elements of this wave mechanics,
using Schrodinger's wavc equation, are presented in this chapter.
The goal of this chapter is to provide a brief introduction to quantum mechanics
so that readers gain an understanding of and become comfortable with the analysis
techniques. This introductory material forms the basis of semiconductor physics..


PRINCIPLES OF QUANTUM MECHANICS

there are three principles
we need to consider: the principle of energy quanta, the wave-puticle duality principle,
and the uncertainty principle.

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