THE most widely used introduction to solid state electronic devices text, this book is designed to help students gain a basic understanding of semiconductor devices and the physical operating principles behind them. This two-fold approach 1) provides students with a sound understanding of existing devices, so that their studies of electronic circuits and systems will be meaningful, and 2) helps them develop the basic tools with which they can later learn about applications and the latest devices. The text provides one of the most comprehensive treatments of all the important semiconductor devices, and reflects the most current trends in the technology and theoretical understanding of the devices.