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

None.

None.

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.

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

■ describe the crystal nature of material for solid-state electronics;

■ outline wave-particle duality of photons and electrons, the nature of current transport in metals and semiconductors;

■ derive origin of Ohm's law;

■ state the principles of operation of diodes and transistors;

■ outline aspects of semiconductor device fabrication technology; 

■ explain how a bipolar diode behaves at equilibrium and why minority carriers carry current. identify typical characteristics of semiconductor devices;

■ distinguish how ideal characteristics relate to practical curves, and the sources of any deviation;

■ be fluent in the manipulation of the fundamental equations and calculations; 

■ demonstrate good laboratory practice and upkeep of a laboratory record book;

■ recognize the worth of a measurement and the nature of the errors which can arise;

■ calculate characteristics from physical parameters;

■ design devices with desired characteristics;

■ draw energy bands for bipolar diode and transistor;

■ use simplified models when appropriate, such as constant-voltage-drop model for diode.

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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 partici-pa-tion 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.