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Module

PHY2027 : Semiconductor Devices (Inactive)

  • Inactive for Year: 2023/24
  • Module Leader(s): Dr Sarah Olsen
  • Owning School: Mathematics, Statistics and Physics
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 1 Credit Value: 10
ECTS Credits: 5.0
European Credit Transfer System

Aims

To describe the operation of commercially important semiconductor devices (diodes, BJT, MOSFET) and how these are described by the semiconductor physics.

Outline Of Syllabus

Semiconductor Physics
Bond & Band models; Ohm’s law; Einstein Relation; Drift and diffusion current; Current magnitudes; charge transport in solids; Wave-particle duality; DeBroglie wavelength; Heisenberg uncertainty principle; The Quantum mechanics concept;; Tunnelling; E-K bands in solids

p-n junction:
Ideal diode I-V characteristic; Dynamic equilibrium; Built-in voltage; Current flow in p-n junctions; Shockley’s equation; Ideality factor; Generation – Recombination; Small signal equivalent circuit; Characterization of semiconductor devices; Tunnel diode;

Bipolar Transistor:
Simple description of operation, Definitions of gain; Derivation of expressions for base, collector and emitter current; D.C. characteristic, Ebers-Moll equations; Small signal equivalent circuit; Hybrid- model;

MOSFET:
Depletion, accumulation and inversion; Importance of Fermi Energy position; Mode of operation; Pinch-off; Threshold voltage; Enhancement and depletion mode; Analysis of operation; I-V relation; Short channel effects; Transistor delay time; Small signal equivalent circuit.

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Structured Guided LearningLecture materials181:0018:00Non-Synchronous Activities
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture14:304:30Synchronous On-Line Materials
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion151:0015:00N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesWorkshops14:304:30Present in person
Structured Guided LearningStructured non-synchronous discussion91:009:00N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesDrop-in/surgery21:002:00Office Hour or Discussion Board Activity
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study471:0047:00N/A
Total100:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Non-synchronous online materials are used for the delivery of theory and explanation of methods, illustrated with examples, and for giving general feedback on assessed work. Workshops and synchronous online sessions are used to help develop the students’ abilities at applying the theory to solving problems and to identify and resolve specific queries raised by students, and to allow students to receive individual feedback on marked work. In addition, office hours/discussion board activity will provide an opportunity for more direct contact between individual students and the lecturer:  a typical student might spend a total of one or two hours over the course of the module, either individually or as part of a group.

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Written exercise1M100N/A
Formative Assessments

Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.

Description Semester When Set Comment
Computer assessment1Massignment
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

A substantial formal examination is appropriate for the assessment of the material in this module. The formative assessment will help reinforce learning and allow the student to assess their knowledge.

Reading Lists

Timetable