Silicon: Evolution and Future of a Technology

Silicon. The evolution and development of humanity are commonly charac­ terized by the key words Stone Age, Bronze Age, and Iron Age; that is, characterized by materials. Curse or benefit to mankind? The discovery and utilization of semiconductors, particularly of silicon, revolutionized our liv­ ing conditions, society, social life, and maxims in a few years, even more than what happened during all the material-specified periods before. Per­ haps, one day, our descendants will call the per...