Semiconductor Device Physics

SEB 310 covers the quantum mechanical basis of semiconductor behavior, crystal structures, energy bands, and carrier transport phenomena. Students will analyze p-n junctions, metal-semiconductor contacts, and MOS capacitors, understanding their operational principles and characteristics. The course emphasizes practical application through device analysis, bridging theoretical concepts with real-world semiconductor device functionality. This knowledge is crucial for understanding, characterizing, and developing semiconductor technologies.

Course outline

Lectures, virtual labs, and graded assignments — completed in your browser.

01Introduction to Semiconductor Materials and Crystal Structureslecture

02Quantum Mechanics in Solids and Energy Bandslecture

03Carrier Concentration in Semiconductors: Intrinsic and Extrinsiclecture

04Carrier Transport Phenomena: Drift and Diffusionlecture

05Generation and Recombination Processeslecture

06Semiconductor Equations and Continuity Equationlecture

07The p-n Junction Diode: Equilibrium and Physicslecture

08p-n Junction Diode: Current-Voltage Characteristics and Capacitancelecture

09Metal-Semiconductor Contacts: Schottky Diodes and Ohmic Contactslecture

10MOS Capacitor: Structure and Basic Operationlecture

11MOS Capacitor: C-V Characteristics and Accumulation, Depletion, Inversionlecture

12Introduction to Bipolar Junction Transistors (BJTs)lecture

13Introduction to Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistors (MOSFETs)lecture

14Optoelectronic Devices and Advanced Semiconductor Conceptslecture

Syllabus

Each week features online lectures, assigned readings from the textbook, and problem sets due by Sunday. Quizzes will be administered bi-weekly to assess understanding of recent topics. Active participation in online discussion forums is expected and graded, fostering collaborative learning. A midterm exam will cover the first half of the course, and a comprehensive final exam will evaluate overall mastery. Late submissions will incur penalties, as detailed in the course policy document. Academic integrity is paramount; all submitted work must be original. Students are encouraged to utilize virtual office hours for questions and concept clarification.