PHYS3310 PHYSICS OF SOLID STATE DEVICES

Lecturer:

Textbooks:

  • Semiconductor Devices: Physics and Technology, S.M. Sze, Wiley.
  • Semiconductor Devices: Basic Principles, J. Singh, Wiley.
  • The Physics of Semiconductor Devices, D.A. Fraser, Oxford University Press (out of print).

Syllabus:

  1. Revision
    Reciprocal Lattice and k-space. Brillouin zone. Allowed k-states. Metals, insulators and semiconductors.
  2. Fundamental Concepts
    Some real bandstructures. Ways of measuring the band gap. Effective Mass. Electrons and holes. Donors and Acceptors - the hydrogenic model. Density of States formula. Formulae for carrier concentrations in intrinsic and extrinsic materials. Temperature dependence of Fermi energy.
  3. Transport Properties
    Resistivity. Hall Effect. Diffusion coefficient. Majority and minority carriers. Carrier mobility and ways to measure it.
  4. The P-N Junction diode
    Diode structure. Depletion layer. Schockley equation (I-V characteristics). Junction capacitance. Avalanche breakdown.
  5. Bipolar Transistors
    Formation. Bandstructure. Theory of operation.
  6. Metal-Semiconductor Contacts
    Ideal Schottky and ohmic contacts. Depletion layer. Capacitance. Current transport processes. Schottky barrier: thermionic and diffusive regimes. Surface states. Barrier heights and their measurements.
  7. Field Effect Transistors
    Junction FET (JFET). Metal Semiconductor FET (MESFET). Metal Oxide Semiconductor FET (MOSFET). Inversion and accumulation layers. High Electron Mobility Transistor (HEMT). Charge coupled devices.
  8. Optoelectronics
    Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). Solid state lasers. Double heterostructure and quantum well lasers. Optical Fibres. Photodetectors. Solar Cells.
  9. Integrated Circuits & Fabrication
  10. The Quantum Future

Further Information

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last updated 1st February 2011