general

Very good book. This is probably the best undergraduate level introduction to semiconductor devices.

I know a lot of classes are taught using the Solid State "bible" by S.M.Sze. Pierret far outperforms Sze in terms of presenting an introductory text on the subject matter. I've tutored several people in classes using Sze's book, and every time I've used Pierret who has much more intuitive descriptions of the physics taking place. In the major sections in the book, he has a thorough qualatative description of the device/process before plunging into the quantatative equations. Even then, he is very clear and concise. The problems relate directly to the information presented in the chapter (unlike Sze, who several times uses terminology or assumptions in the problems never mentioned in the body of the text). While not perfect, I strongly recommend this book for ANYONE needing an introduction to the physics behind semiconductor devices, and I strongly urge any instructors to use this book instead of Sze's Semiconductor Devices book.

Pierret explains the fun details of device physics in a way that makes sense. Discussion on a certain device (PN diode, BJT, MOSFET) usually starts with holes and electrons moving around and basic equations are slowly built. Deviations from the ideal are then discussed as well as methods to minimize those deviations.

After reading this textbook, I feel pretty confident about my understanding of device physics. Although I am still an undergraduate and probably shouldn't think of myself as a hotshot since this book is very basic, Pierret really explained the material well and I feel good about what I learned from this book.

No other textbook in any subject comes close to the clarity that this textbook provides. Math textbooks never give enough examples, physics textbooks never seem to be in enough detail, CS textbooks either overload you with theory that's not well explained or excessive examples that beat around the bush. However, this textbook provides just enough examples to clarify crucial subtleties, starts from the basics of holes and electrons moving around, and slowly builds on the basics to explain more advanced topics. It just makes sense if you read it.

Of course no textbook is perfect and not everything will make sense the first time you read it. Sometimes something will not make sense in a textbook and no matter how many times you reread it, no matter how many times you bang your head against the table, and no matter how many weeks go by, it still will not make sense. But this textbook is different. Pierret provides a good foundation of device physics so after the concepts bounce around in your head for a few weeks, everything will make sense.

What's also really great about this textbook is that all you need to know before you read this textbook is F=ma, a bit of electrostatics, some basic calculus, and common sense. This intro book really is an intro book.