ELEC2201 Devices

Module Overview

Semiconductor device technology has evolved beyond computation applications and is now increasingly being used in quantum electronics, lighting, lasers, high speed communications, photovoltaic energy harvesters, smart electronics for the Internet of Things, and sensing for healthcare and the environment. Semiconductor devices are not solely confined to silicon technology but include Group III-V compounds, such as gallium arsenide and indium gallium arsenide as well as other materials such silicon-germanium alloys, zinc oxide, molybdenum selenide and graphene. The next generation of semiconductor technologies will demand the knowledge and understanding to explore device platforms for new integrated circuit concepts and fabrication methods. ELEC2201 Devices will cover 3 main parts; (i) physical principles of the operation of semiconductor devices; (ii) semiconductor electronics and (iii) semiconductor optoelectronics. The module builds on ELEC1205 Solid States Devices, some parts of which will be revisited and so students should re-acquaint themselves with the theory of semiconductor materials including band energy diagrams, carrier concentrations and the concepts of doping and p-n junction formation. Throughout the course, undergraduates are encouraged to read beyond the lecture materials provided and the core text books.

Aims and Objectives

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

The basic operation of the most important semiconductor devices (e.g. p-n diode)
How to design features that determine semiconductor device characteristics
How semiconductor properties limitations influence device operation
The improvement of semiconductor device performances by fabrication process

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

Demonstrate a detailed understanding of the many and diverse aspects that relate to the operation and exploitation of semiconductor devices
Appreciate semiconductor device technology that revolutionise the electronic industry
Differentiate the semiconductor devices for different electronic and photonic applications

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

Demonstrate the basic skills in semiconductor device engineering for integrated electronic or photonic circuit application
Understand the issues with semiconductor devices and the challenges for future electronic components

Subject Specific Practical Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

Investigate the characteristics and performance of different semiconductor devices
Design, model and analyse a number of semiconductor device types

Syllabus

MOSFETs and CMOS - Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor and Metal-Semiconductor Interface - MOS and MOSFET characteristics: Capacitance, Output Current, Threshold and Sub-threshold - Enhancement and Depletion mode operation - MOSFET scaling issues - MOSFET Circuits Introduction to Bipolar Junction Transistors - Review of BJTs - BJT characteristics - n-p-n and p-n-p BJT operation - Gain and frequency response - BJT technologies - HBTs Solar Cells (Lectures, Lab and coursework) - Review of solar cells - Solar cell characteristics - Quantum efficiency - Thin film photovoltaics - Solar cell fabrication Optoelectronic Devices - Optical properties of semiconductor - Optical p-n junction devices - Radiative transition in semiconductor - Light Emitting Devices - Spectral response and emission efficiency - LASER - Gain characateristics and laser modes - Photodetectors Quantum- and Nano- technologies - Schrödinger and quantum wells - Quantum electronic and photonic devices

Learning and Teaching

Teaching and learning methods

Lectures, Lab, Coursework and Tutorials

Type	Hours
Preparation for scheduled sessions	15
Lecture	30
Revision	10
Tutorial	6
Follow-up work	15
Wider reading or practice	64
Completion of assessment task	10
Total study time	150

Resources & Reading list

S. M. Sze (2002). Semiconductor Devices: Physics and Technology.

G. J. Parker (2004). Introductory Semiconductor Device Physics.

Laboratory space and equipment required. Laboratory equipment for solar cells experiment

Online Resource.

B. Streetman & S. Banerjee. Solid State Semiconductor Devices.

S. O. Kasap (2001). Optoelectronics and Photonics: Principles and Practices.

Assessment

Summative

Method	Percentage contribution
Continuous Assessment	15%
Final Assessment	85%

Repeat

Method	Percentage contribution
Set Task	100%

Referral

Method	Percentage contribution
Set Task	100%

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External

Linked modules

Pre-requisite: ELEC1205