For example, the book highlights how doping silicon with other elements dramatically alters its electrical conductivity, enabling the creation of transistors.
This book charts the evolution of silicon technology, starting with the discovery of its semiconducting properties and the invention of the transistor. It then progresses through the development of microfabrication techniques, tracing the advancements that led to the exponential increase in transistor density, famously captured by Moore's Law.
The narrative further examines the evolution of computer architectures, from simple microprocessors to complex multi-core systems.
Finally, the book delves into emerging computing paradigms like neuromorphic and quantum computing, assessing their potential to overcome the limitations of current silicon-based technology.