Why are transistors said to be dependent on quantum mechanics?

Subject: Why are transistors said to be dependent on quantum mechanics?

Date: Wed Jan 26 23:13:27 2000
Posted by Jim Overton
Grade level: grad (non-science) School: No school entered.
City: Sydney State/Province: NSW Country: Australia
Area of science: Physics
ID: 948950007.Ph

Message:


I have been told several times that it was quantum mechanics that made the 
invention of the transistor possible, but every reference in 
encyclopaedias or on the web either simply states this fact with no 
further elucidation, or goes into detail of how transistors work, but 
makes no mention of quantum mechanics. Have I been mislead? What exactly 
is the quantum connection with transistors, if any?

Re: Why are transistors said to be dependent on quantum mechanics?

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