Course Catalogue

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The course is intended to provide an understanding of how electronic and optoelectronic semiconductor devices work, by explaining how fundamental physical laws govern device operation. It includes the application of solid-state physics to predict the operation of common semiconductor devices.

Twice weekly

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None.

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10% Laboratory report

90% written examination (a 120-minute degree examination and in-class tests)

The aims of this course are to:

■ demonstrate how electronic and optoelectronic semiconductor devices work;

■ show how solid state physics is applied to predict the operation of common devices;

■ demonstrate the use of solid state physics in the design of semiconductor devices;

■ introduce some aspects of semiconductor device fabrication technology, including the environmental impact of semiconductor manufacturing.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Describe the crystal nature of material for solid-state electronics and fundamental aspects of key particles, including the wave-particle duality of photons and electrons;

■ Derive Ohm's law from the nature of current transport in metals and semiconductors;

■ Explain how diodes and transistors operate at equilibrium and with a bias applied, drawing energy bands for each scenario and identifying typical characteristics of semiconductor devices;

■ Outline aspects of semiconductor device fabrication technology with consideration of the environmental impact of semiconductor manufacturing;

■ Assess the use of appropriate device models (e.g., a constant voltage drop model for a diode) to design devices and simple circuits with desired characteristics; 

■ Apply fundamental equations and calculations to calculate device parameters from experimental measurements, distinguishing how ideal characteristics relate to practical curves, and the sources of any deviation;

■ Demonstrate good laboratory practice by recognising the nature of experimental errors and keeping a reliable record through a laboratory book;

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Requirements for the award of credits

To ensure that a student will be awarded the credits for a course, he or she must complete the course and reach a minimum level of attainment. This requires that a student:

■ be present at laboratories and tutorials on 100% of occasions at which attendance is monitored,

■ satisfactorily complete the assignments in the laboratories,

■ attend the class test (if held) and gain a nonzero mark and

■ attend the degree examination and gain a nonzero mark

Note that these are minimum requirements: good students will achieve far higher participation rates. Any student who misses an assessment or a significant number of classes because of illness or other good cause should report this by completing an absence report.