Module Identifier PH33610  
Module Title SEMICONDUCTOR PHYSICS  
Academic Year 2005/2006  
Co-ordinator Dr Tudor E Jenkins  
Semester Semester 1  
Other staff Dr Alex R Vearey-Roberts, Dr Andrew Evans  
Pre-Requisite PH23520  
Course delivery Lecture   22 lectures  
  Seminars / Tutorials   2 tutorials  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Exam2 Hours end of semester examination for BSc students  80%
Semester Assessment Course Work: Test 1 Deadline (week of Semester): Week 510%
Semester Assessment Course Work: Test 2 Deadline (week of Semester): Week 1110%

Learning outcomes

After taking this module students should be able to:

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 Lists

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

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 6