Electrical Properties of Materials

Rating:
Summary: Do not purchase
Review: Along the way, Dr. Solymar proves time and time again that he has not mastered many of the chemistry and physics topics that he attempts to explain. The uncertainty relation is proved via a arbitrarily chosen width for a wave packet, and the final uncertainty relationship is stated incorrectly. Bragg's relationship is stated wrong. And clear logic flow is lacking throughout the book. The book is rich in useless anthropomorphic analogies such as:

"Perhaps melodrama would be the right category [to characterize the Quantum Confined Stark Effect] considering the touching affection between electrons and holes. If we consider, however, how they stave off brutal intervention by the electric field with their backs against the potential wall, and how quickly all these things happen, then melodrama might give way to a thriller."

Bad does not begin to explain this book.




Rating:
Summary: Witty and Informative
Review: This work demonstrates that scientists are people too! Solymar and Walsh offer a survey of a difficult subject in a manner that is easy to follow, and sometimes funny. The quantum mechanics of electronics are explained in sufficient depth to be useful, but not overdone enough to be boring. I especially loved the section on superconductivity! The book offer may not be the most in-depth on individual subjects, but it presents each subject in a clear, understandable way. Wonderful for the student.

Rating:
Summary: Witty and Informative
Review: This work demonstrates that scientists are people too! Solymar and Walsh offer a survey of a difficult subject in a manner that is easy to follow, and sometimes funny. The quantum mechanics of electronics are explained in sufficient depth to be useful, but not overdone enough to be boring. I especially loved the section on superconductivity! The book offer may not be the most in-depth on individual subjects, but it presents each subject in a clear, understandable way. Wonderful for the student.