Brief history of semiconductor science and technology and India’s role in the decade after the invention of transistor

Abstract

This paper presents a brief history of semiconductor science and technology and examines the role of Indian scientists in the decade following the invention of the transistor. The paper first outlines the development towards identifying and understanding the special characteristics of semiconductors. The current understanding of the physics of semiconductors and their properties are briefly mentioned thereafter. A chronological listing of different works, starting from the first report by Volta in 1782 and other scientists, is given, and how their findings gave evidence to this special class of materials is pointed out. In the list, a brief mention is also made about J. C. Bose’s invention of the first semiconductor device and his work related to materials, later identified as semiconductors. This listing, with a brief mention, continues by outlining the progress towards developing semiconductor science and technology until the end of World War II. The invention of the transistor, announced on December 23, 1947 created a boom in activities worldwide in semiconductors, improvement in device performance, and announcement of newer semiconductor devices. Indian research in this area over the decade after the invention of the transistor is identified. International research had been in full swing in this period, and some of these developments that paved the way for the invention of integrated circuits in 1958–1960 are listed and discussed. Finally, the reasons are sought for limited work and the general unawareness or lack of interest of Indian workers in this important area, leading to the present Information Age, compared to international activity.