Sspd_chapter1_modern physics-foundation of solid state physics_part

SOLID STATE PHYSICS

&DEVICES- the harbinger of the third wave of civilization.

By Bijay Kumar Sharma

Solid State Physics&Devices- the harbinger of Third Wave of Civilization.

CHAPTER.1.

MODERN PHYSICS- THE FOUNDATION OF SOLID STATE PHYSICS.

INTRODUCTION.

Discoveries or Inventions are made accidently or they are the results of conscious theoretical formulations.

The discovery of electricity through the electric shock experienced by Benjamin Franklin during a ‘ key and kite’ flight in rains*, the discovery of magnetic field surrounding a wire carrying d.c.current during a demonstrative lecture by Michael Faraday and the invention of Bipolar Junction Transistor by William Shockley were some such event which brought a historical transformation of Human Society.

On the other hand the Gravitational Lensing Effect by Massive Bodies as predicted by Einstein based on his General Theory of Relativity** , the prediction of Supernova Explosion and formation of Neutron Star as the end result of Stars more massive than 1.4 times the mass of Sun (M _Θ ) by S.Chandrashekhar and the prediction of Intermediate Vector Boson as the Boson particle of exchange of weak forces by Abdus Salam and Steven Weinberg were based on conscious theoretical formulation and modeling of the systems concerned.

All our ancient knowledge were based on empiricism hence they were a part of the whole and they never led to a complete understanding of the system concerned.

Our Nomadic Ancestors lived as roots and fruits gatherer in the Savage stage of the society.

With discovery of fire they became scavengers. The cooked meat was easily digestible. Our Ancestors changed from herbivorous to omnivorous. Soon we became toolmakers and hunters. This was the Barbarian stage of pale anthropological society.

About 500,000 years Before the Present (BP), with stone tool making stone age started. We had left our arboreal abode and became cave-dwellers. This was the old stone age or Lower Paleolithic Age.

About 30,000 years B.P. to 10,000 years B.P. Upper Paleolithic Age prevailed.

In Neolithic Age (new stone age), stone axes were made. We started domesticating animals .The need for animal fodder led us to agriculture.

Agriculture triggered the first wave of civilization on the banks of Tigris-Euphrates in Babylon ( modern day Iraq), on the banks of Nile river in Egypt, on the banks of Sarswati, Sapt Sindhu and Ganges- Yamuna- Brahmputra in India and on the banks of Yellow River and Yangtze River in China. These ancient civilizations developed and flourished about 3000 years B.P. They were built on the foundation of Neolithic Age.

Agriculture and Pastoral Revolution transformed Human-Beings into active partners of Nature. Through empiricism, foresight, forethought, perseverance and self control we specialized in agriculture and artisanship.

We developed different fields of metallurgy namely smithy, mining and smelting. We developed wheels and ox-cart. We developed sailing ships.