Transistors: A Network Science-Based Historical Perspective

TL;DR

This paper uses network science to analyze the historical development of bipolar junction transistors, revealing thematic coherence, distinct periods, and stable interrelationships among research areas over time.

Contribution

It introduces a systematic, quantitative approach to studying electronics development using community detection and topological analysis of scientific literature.

Findings

Identified 10 research sub-areas with thematic coherence

Mapped the timeline of bipolar junction technology evolution

Discovered stable interrelationships among research areas over time

Abstract

The development of modern electronics was to a large extent related to the advent and popularization of bipolar junction technology. The present work applies science of science concepts and methodologies in order to develop a relatively systematic, quantitative study of the development of electronics from a bipolar-junction-centered perspective. First, we searched the adopted dataset (Microsoft Academic Graph) for entries related to "bipolar junction transistor". Community detection was then applied in order to derive sub-areas, which were tentatively labeled into 10 overall groups. This modular graph was then studied from several perspectives, including topological measurements and time evolution. A number of interesting results are reported, including a good level of thematic coherence within each identified area, as well as the identification of distinct periods along the time evolution including the onset and coming of age of bipolater junction technology and related areas. A particularly surprising result was the verification of stable interrelationship between the identified areas along time.