The Origin of Semiconductor Physics in Italy: 1945 - 1965

TL;DR

This paper reviews the development of semiconductor physics in Italy from 1945 to 1965, highlighting the emergence of research groups and their contributions to the field during this formative period.

Contribution

It provides a historical account of Italian semiconductor physics, emphasizing the formation of research groups and their pioneering work in the post-war era.

Findings

Growth of Italian semiconductor research in the 1950s

Formation of experimental and theoretical groups with international experience

Significant contributions to condensed matter and semiconductor phenomena

Abstract

The activities carried out by Italian physicists in the field of semiconductor physics during the period spanning from 1945 to the foundation of the National Group of Structure of the Matter (GNSM, 1965) are reviewed within their historical context. Until the fifties, the Italian research was only marginally involved, if at all, in the main streams of advancement in solid state physics. Starting from the early fifties, an interest for technical applications of the newly introduced semiconductor devices began to grow in the electronic engineering community. In the following years, the birth of a few experimental and theoretical groups lead by highly motivated scientists (some of them with international experience) allowed to deal with the main topics related to condensed matter and semiconductor phenomena. The work developed by these "pioneers", discussed in this paper, represented an invaluable contribution for the new generations of physicists in this research field.