Description
Taylor & Francis Ltd The Silicon Web Physics For The Internet Age 2009 Edition by Michael G. Raymer
The technology behind computers, fiber optics, and networks did not originate in the minds of engineers attempting to build an Internet. The Internet is a culmination of intellectual work by thousands of minds spanning hundreds of years. We have built concept upon concept and technology upon technology to arrive at where we are today, in a world constructed of silicon pathways and controlled by silicon processors.From computers to optical communications, The Silicon Web: Physics for the Internet Age explores the core principles of physics that underlie those technologies that continue to revolutionize our everyday lives. Designed for the nonscientist, this text requires no higher math or prior experience with physics. It starts with an introduction to physics, silicon, and the Internet and then details the basic physics principles at the core of the information technology revolution. A third part examines the quantum era, with in-depth discussion of digital memory and computers. The final part moves onto the Internet era, covering lasers, optical fibers, light amplification, and fiber-optic and wireless communication technologies. The relation between technology and daily life is so intertwined that it is impossible to fully understand modern human experience without having at least a basic understanding of the concepts and history behind modern technology, which continues to become more prevalent as well as more ubiquitous. Going beyond the technical, the book also looks at ways in which science has changed the course of history. It clarifies common misconceptions while offering insight on the social impacts of science with an emphasis on information technology.As a pioneering researcher in quantum mechanics of light, author Michael Raymer has made his own significant contributions to contemporary communications technology Introduction: Physics and Its Relation to Computer and Internet Technologies Physics, Silicon, and the "Magic" behind the Internet Age A Zoomed-In Look inside a Computer Timeline of Great Discoveries and Inventions in Physics and Computer and Communication Technologies The Methods and Significance of Science The Relation of Science and Information Technology Social Impacts: Science and Technology Mathematics: The Language of Science and Technology The Utility of Mathematics in Science and Technology Graphs Precision and Significant Digits Large and Small Numbers and Scientific Notation Real-World Example 2.1: Precision of Display Pixels Units for Physical Quantities Proportionality Binary Numbers The Concept of Information Exponential Growth Social Impacts: The Exponential Change of Nearly EverythingMechanics: Energy Enables Information TechnologyFrom Looms to Computers Speed, Acceleration, and Force In-Depth Look 3.1: Distance Traveled under Constant Acceleration Real-World Example 3.1: Seek Time of a Hard-Drive Head In-Depth Look 3.2: Net Force Vectors Real-World Example 3.2: Acceleration in Cathode-Ray TubesPrinciples of Mechanics Real-World Example 3.3: Force on a Hard-Drive Head The Physics of Energy Friction and Thermal Energy The Constancy of Energy Units for Mechanics Power Real-World Example 3.4: Motion Sensors in LaptopsSocial Impacts: Scientific Thought and Methods Have Arguably Changed the Course of Human History More Than Anything ElseMatter and Heat: Cooling Computers is Required by the Physics of ComputationFrom Steam Engines to ComputersMatter and AtomsGases, Liquids, and SolidsIn-Depth Look 4.1: Size and Numbers of AtomsReal-World Example 4.1: Growing Silicon Crystals for Computer ChipsPressure in a GasPressure in a LiquidPumps, Current, and ResistanceReal-World Example 4.2: A Water-Pressure-Operated ComputerTemperature The Ideal GasHeat and Thermal Energy TransferReal-World Example 4.3: Cooling Computer Chips Principles of Thermodynamics: Extracting Work from Heat Cooling Computers is Required by the Physics of Computation Social Impacts: The Industrial Revolution and the Information Revolution Electricity and Magnetism: The Workhorses of Information TechnologyElectricity and Magnetism Are the Basis of Computers and the Internet Electric ChargeIn-Depth Look 5.1: The Concept of Plus and Minus Electric ChargeElectric Forces: Coulomb's LawIn-Depth Look 5.2: The Discovery of the ElectronElectric FieldsIn-Depth Look 5.3: Electric Field LinesElectric Current and ConductorsElectrical Energy and VoltageReal-World Example 5.1: Capacitor Computer MemoryResistors, Conductors, and Ohm's LawElectrical Power MagnetismElectromagnetism Real-World Example 5.2: The Telegraph, Precursor to the Internet In-Depth Look 5.4: Magnetic Materials and Data StorageSocial Impacts: Innovation and Public Support of ScienceDigital Electronics and Computer LogicThe "Reasoning" Abilities of ComputersConcepts of LogicElectronic Logic CircuitsLogic Operations and DiagramsUsing Logic to Perform ArithmeticImplementing Logic with Electromagnetic SwitchesSupplemental Section: Boolean Search of Databases Chapter 7 Waves: Sound, Radio, and LightCommunicating with Sound, Radio, and Light Simple Harmonic Motion Damped and Complex Harmonic Motion Driven Harmonic Motion and Resonance In-Depth Look 7.1: Resonance Frequencies Real-World Example 7.1: Crystal Oscillators and Microprocessor Clocks WavesSimple Harmonic WavesInterference of WavesIn-Depth Look 7.2: Standing WavesSound WavesIn-Depth Look 7.3: BeatsWireless Radio WavesReal-World Example 7.2: AM RadioLet There Be Light WavesIn-Depth Look 7.4: Light PolarizationReal-World Example 7.3: LCD ScreensInterference of Light Social Impacts: Music, Science and Technology Analog and Digital CommunicationCommunication Systems: Analog and DigitalBasics of Analog RadioBasics of Digital Radio The Maximum Rate of Transmitting DataMaximum Data RateFrequency Multiplexing and BandwidthIn-Depth Look 8.1: Signal ReconstructionQuantum Physics of Atoms and MaterialsAtoms, Crystals, and ComputersThe Quantum Nature of Electrons and AtomsThe Experiments behind Quantum TheoryIn-Depth Look 9.1: Spectrum of Hydrogen AtomsThe Spinning of ElectronsThe Principles of Quantum PhysicsBuilding Up the AtomsReal-World Example 9.1: Fluorescent LampsElectrical Properties of MaterialsIn-Depth Look 9.2: Origin of the Energy Gap in Silicon CrystalsIn-Depth Look 9.3: Atomic Nature of Magnetic DomainsSocial Impacts: Science, Mysticism, and Pseudo-Science Semiconductor Physics: Transistors and CircuitsSilicon, Transistors, and Computers Controlling the Conductivity of Silicon p-n Junctions and Diodes Real-World Example 10.1: A Simple Crystal AM Radio ReceiverTransistors CMOS Computer Logic In-Depth Look 10.1: Water-Effect Transistors Miniaturization, Integrated Circuits, and Photolithography In-Depth Look 10.2: Bipolar Transistors Social Impacts: Labeling Every Object in the World Digital Memory and ComputersPhysics, Memory, and Computers Sequential Logic for Computer Memory Feedback Example #1: NOT Loop Feedback Example #2: One-Time Latch Static Random-Access Memory In-Depth Look 11.1: SRAM with Six Transistors Dynamic Random-Access Memory Nonvolatile Memory In-Depth Look 11.2: Quantum Tunneling Magnetic Tape and Hard Disk Memory Optical Compact Disk Memory Error Immunity of Digital Data The Structure of a Computer Hierarchy of Computer Memory Heat-Imposed Limits of Computers Representing Information in Computers using Codes Coding Images Data Compression Photons: Light Detectors and Light Emitting DiodesLight, Physics, and TechnologyThe Quantum Nature of Light-PhotonsPower and Energy in LightAbsorption of Light by Atoms and Crystals (or "How Einstein Got His Nobel Prize")In-Depth Look 12.1: Inability of Constant Voltage to Accelerate Electrons in an Insulator Real-World Example 12.1: Semiconductor Light DetectorsEmission of Light by Atoms and CrystalsReal-World Example 12.2: Light-Emitting DiodesSocial Impacts: Lighting the Darkness (Efficiently)Light and Optical Fibers for the InternetLight as a Communication MediumPropagation, Reflection and Transmission of LightLight in Transparent MediaRefraction of Light at a BoundaryReflection of Light at a BoundaryTotal Internal ReflectionPrisms and Speeds of Different Colored LightLenses and Curved MirrorsOptical Loss in Materials-The Clarity of Optical FiberLight GuidingOptical FibersLight Pulses in Optical FibersSocial Impacts: Total Immersion in a Sea of InformationLight Amplification and LasersAtoms and LasersThe Uniqueness of Laser LightAbsorption and Emission of Light by AtomsLaser ResonatorsIn-Depth Look 14.1: Laser Resonator FrequenciesHow a Laser WorksThe Helium-Neon LaserIn-Depth Look 14.2: Extreme Laser FactsVariable-Color Semiconductor LasersOvercoming Losses in Fiber-Optic SystemsQuantum Physics Description of LasersThe Semiconductor Diode LaserFiber-Optics CommunicationBandwidth and the Physics of WavesOverview of Fiber-Optical Communication SystemsModulating a Laser Beam with DataWavelength Multiplexing in Optical CommunicationThe Virtues of Lasers for Optical CommunicationHardware for Wavelength MultiplexingLaser Beam RoutingCommunication Networks and the InternetThe Physics behind the InternetThe Goals of Computer Communication NetworksNoise in Analog and Digital SystemsChallenges in NetworkingBroadcasting Networks and Switching NetworksFailure-Resistant CommunicationsWireless Mobile Cell Phone NetworksPropagation of Wireless Waves in TerrainSummary of Scientific Notation and UnitsSources and Credits for Quotes Used with PermissionGlossary