Future Circuit Aspects of Solid-State Phenomena

Future electric circuits will depend more and more on new solid-state phenomena and on solid devices which perform increasingly complex circuit functions. This paper discusses several specific phenomena of interest to circuit and device engineers, namely, superconductivity, molecular amplification, magnetic effects in semiconductors, and nonlinear capacitance in junctions. The paper concludes with a presentation of the potential advantages of controlled inhomogeneity in all types of solid-state devices. It is indicated that, by departing from uniform, homogeneous materials, it is possible to produce new effects and improved performance. Ultimately, controlled inhomogeneity may lead to solid devices which combine the functions of many conventional components and associated wiring.