Course content

This course provides a detailed introduction to the principal classes of semiconductor devices in modern microelectronics and photonics. The following topics will be discussed; charge carrier statistics and transport, luminescence, photoconductivity, p-n junctions, metal- semiconductor junctions, diodes, field-effect transistor (MOSFET), bipolar junction transistor (BJT), light-emitting diodes (LED), laser diodes (LD), photodiodes, and photovoltaic solar cells.

Learning outcome

This course should provide the students with a basic understanding of the physics and principles of operation of the most important semiconductor devices in modern microelectronics and photonics.

The course will provide the students with knowledge on:
– electronic structure, charge carrier statistics, and transport properties in semiconductors
– fabrication technology for semiconductor devices and integrated circuits
– charge transport in p-n junctions and metal-semiconductor contacts
– the principles of field effect (MOSFET) and bipolar junction (BJT) transistors
– the principles of light-emitting diodes (LED) and laser diodes (LD), photoconductors/photodiodes, and photovoltaic solar cells.

The course will provide the students with technical skills to:
– calculate voltages and currents in existing electronic and photonic semiconductor devices under different biasing conditions
– draw up and analyze circuit models for field effect and bipolar junction transistors
– understand the fabrication technology and principles of operation of new and future electronic and photonic devices based on semiconductors.

The course will provide the students with general skills:
– on the use of mathematics, physics, and electronic circuits to quantitative analysis of defined electronic system components
– for more advanced studies on electronic circuits and systems.

Learning methods and activities

Auditorium lectures and exercises (problems). The written exam is given in English only. The exam can be answered in English or in Norwegian. Repetition (make up) exams may be changed from written to oral.

Recommended previous knowledge

Basic understanding of physics corresponding to the syllabus of topic TFY4220 Solid State Physics.

Course materials

B.G. Streetman and Sanjay Banerjee: Solid State Electronic Devices, 6th edition (or later), Prentice Hall, 2006.

Credit reductions