Syllabus 2010/2011 FFF021

Syllabus academic year 2010/2011
(Created 2010-07-25.)

SEMICONDUCTOR PHYSICS

FFF021

Credits: 7,5. Grading scale: TH. Cycle: A (Second Cycle). Main field: Technology. Language of instruction: The course will be given in English on demand. Compulsory for: MNAV1. Optional for: E4, E4dpd, E4f, E4hn, F4, F4f, F4hn, F4nf, MFOT1, MSOC2, N4hn, N4nf. Course coordinator: Universitetslektor Günter Grossmann, gunter.grossmann@ftf.lth.se, Department of Physics. Recommended prerequisits: Solid State Physics (FFFF05), Electronic Materials (FFFF01) or Physics of Devices (ESS030). Assessment: Home assignments, laboratory exercises and oral examination. Home page: http://www-gu.ftf.lth.se.

Aim
The course extends the material covered in the basic course in Solid State Physics/Electronic Materials/Device Physics to provide a broader and deeper understanding of solid state physics which is essential for applications. It also develops the basic physical principles that are needed to understand semiconductor devices and their operation, including their role in simple electronic applications.

Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must

be able to account for the models and approximations which are introduced in going from atoms to devices
be able to account for the operation of basic semiconductor devices - both with respect to the underlying physics as well as to their significance within electronic circuits
be able to analyse devices using computer simulations

Skills and abilities
For a passing grade the student must

be able to explain and discuss the operation of simple circuits such as logical gates
be able to relate the performance of devices to material parameters
be able to understand and suggest solutions to the problems that arise when device size is scaled down
be able to give an oral account, using scientifically relevant language, of the results of the computer project which is done independently
be able to analyse and summarise the results obtained during laboratory work and computer simulations in written reports, and further to suggest how a device with a prescribed performance could be constructed

Contents
Crystal structure and structure determination. Binding and lattice vibrations. Electronic structure.
Physics of semiconductors: intrinsic and extrinsic semiconductors, charge carrier concentrations and transport phenomena.
Generation, recombination, injection and transport of non-equilibrium carriers.
Surface states, contacts and photoconductivity.
Electrical and optical properties of the pn junction and the bipolar transistor.
Unipolar devices: metal-semiconductor junction and contacts, MESFET and MOSFET. Intergrated circuits.

Literature
Sze, S.M: Semiconductor Devices, Physics and Technology, 2nd Ed., John Wiley & Sons, 2002. Hand-out material and laboratory instructions.