Module Information

Module Identifier
PH33610
Module Title
SEMICONDUCTOR PHYSICS
Academic Year
2008/2009
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 1
Pre-Requisite
PH23720
Other Staff

Course Delivery

Delivery Type Delivery length / details
Seminars / Tutorials 2 tutorials
Lecture 22 lectures
 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Exam 2 Hours   end of semester examination for BSc students  80%
Semester Assessment Deadline (week of Semester): Week 5  Course Work: Test 1  10%
Semester Assessment Deadline (week of Semester): Week 11  Course Work: Test 2  10%
Supplementary Exam 2 Hours   written examination for BSc students  100%

Learning Outcomes

After taking this module students should be able to:

  • understand the basic mechanisms of electrical conductivity in semiconductors.
  • understand the physics of interfaces.
  • understand the operation of the p-n junction and appreciate its crucial role in the production of integrated semiconductor devices.
  • production of integrated semiconductor devices.
  • understand the operation of MOS devices.
  • appreciate the future direction of semiconductor device technology.

Brief description

This module provides a basic introduction to semiconductor physics, concentrating on those elements which underpin an understanding of the operation of semiconductor devices. The physics of important devices, such as bipolar and MOS transistors, will be detailed. In addition, an introduction to novel device structures which are being developed as a result of recent massive advances in semiconductor research will be provided.

Content

Semiconductor materials and their crystal structure - Miller indices.
Intrinsic and extrinsic conductivity. Shallow and deep centres.
Diffusion of carriers.
Junctions in semiconductor systems - the metal-semiconductor junction, homo- and hetero-semiconductor-semiconductor junction, and the metal-insulator-semiconductor junction.
The planar p-n and bipolar transistor structure. Planar resistor and capacitor structure.
JFET, MOSFET and MESFET.
Power semiconductor devices (thyristor structures, bipolar power transistors, MOS power transistors).
Semiconductor optoelectronic devices. Detectors (photodiodes and transistors, photovoltaic devices, CCDs) and emitters (LEDs, LCDs and lasers).
Novel devices - HBTs, HEMTs, quantum well devices.

Reading List


A Bar-Lev Semiconductor and Electronic Devices Prentice Hall Primo search M Jaros Physics and Applications of Semiconductor Microstructures Oxford Primo search T E Jenkins Semiconductor Science-Growth and Characteristation Techniques Prentice Hall Primo search

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 6