Center 4 CM

A Discrete Model of the Transistor

This is a speculative paper delving into the fundamentals of solid state physics from the perspective of Celestial Mechanics. Consider the transistor junction, which currently is on the order of ten atoms thick; there is an emitter, the base, and a collector. The more efficient devices have two forward biases at the emitter; one at the base; two at the collector. This is analogous to the optimum interplanetary transfer in orbital Mechanics: the typical NASA Mars mission has five thrusts, two at Earth, two at Mars and one half way. Many analogies between Celestial Mechanics and solid state physics lead to the hypothesis that the transistor junction is essentially a statistical analog to the Four Body Problem of Celestial Mechanics. Everything we know about transistors is based upon statistical models. If an interplanetary transfer does in fact model the transistor junction diode, then not only will new insights be found in solid state physics and Celestial Mechanics, but it may even be possible to devise a discrete model for certain statistical processes. The paper begins with an introduction to basic ideas in subatomic physics and chemistry, then leads naturally into notions of solid state physics.

You can download the complete paper in PDF format here. Also available is a multi chapter report developing this whole theory from fundamental concepts of chemistry and physics, called A Solid State Astrophysics Primer.