Editor’s message: the solid-state applications era

A term that once left old technology behind to introduce a new one in electronics is ‘solid-state’, which was used intensively to promote the equipment using this technology, then became kind of ordinary for a while because it is in almost every aparatus, and here it is, refreshed as a characteristic that again shows novelty. New technology is not by itself better as can be noticed if instead of separating old from the new one, we separate well known and lasting from replaced shortly after its presentation despite advertisements and promotion. ‘Solid-state’ is one of those that, promoted or not, has been relevant for a long time. Physics of the solid-state is the science that explains and supports the technology of semiconductor-based electronic devices. It was revolutionary since the first calculating machine based on transistors was built in 1954 followed by thousands of electronic products. ‘Solid-state’ was more than a couple of words stamped on TV sets and radios, among others, about 60 years ago for marketing, rather it was stating their operation structure. This description was sometimes misunderstood by the public who related it to resistance to shock and shaking of the devices instead of their operation principles. New products can either fulfill known functions differently or perform new ones, developing both the technology and application as in the case of game consoles. The first solid-state devices were supposed to perform the same functions as those with vacuum tubes, but with less energy since semiconductors do not need to be warmed up because they do not use the principle of thermionic emission. Then they could be battery-operated, while they were smaller and lighter so that such devices became easily portable. Many other applications of solid-state became ‘full transistorized’, even the TV sets despite they had CRT screens, although there was some hesitation at first due to the lack of serviceable parts that were supposed to be a problem when repairment was necessary. It took some time to realize how reliable these items are. Even when the market was shared by the two kinds of devices, it is evident that solidstate is an advanced kind of technology whose products perform better the same functions as the vacuum tubes as well as new ones. However, there are hybrid solid statevacuum tube devices that pretend to take the best of both technologies, electronic for controlling and a vacuum tube for the function as CRTs in TVs, discontinued but still exist, and magnetrons. Often solid-state technology is not mentioned as it happens with other developments such as ‘fuel injection’ or ‘electronic ignition’ or ‘with computer controls’ in the automotive industry because any car has them. The importance of this industry has been also evidenced by a chips shortage, due to the restructuring of semiconductors production that has lasted about two years and is supposed to last one more. This shortage is affecting the automotive industry, computer cards, and gaming consoles.