Silicon. The evolution and development of humanity are commonly charac terized by the key words Stone Age, Bronze Age, and Iron Age; that is, characterized by materials. Curse or benefit to mankind? The discovery and utilization of semiconductors, particularly of silicon, revolutionized our liv ing conditions, society, social life, and maxims in a few years, even more than what happened during all the material-specified periods before. Per haps, one day, our descendants will call the period at whose beginning we live the Silicon Age. However, to be correct, the present period is character...