The history and future of semiconductor heterostructures

The history of the development of semiconductor heterostructures and their applications in various electron devices is presented, along with a brief historical survey of the physics, production technology, and applications of quantum wells and superlattices. Advances in recent years in the fabrication of structures utilizing quantum wires and especially quantum dots are discussed. An outline of future trends and prospects for the development and application of these latest types of heterostructures is presented. (C) 1998 American Institute of Physics.