PHY2027 : Semiconductor Devices
- Offered for Year: 2019/20
- Module Leader(s): Dr Sarah Olsen
- Owning School: Mathematics, Statistics and Physics
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 10 |
| ECTS Credits: | 5.0 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 24 | 0:30 | 12:00 | Revision for final exam |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 1:30 | 1:30 | Final Exam |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 24 | 1:00 | 24:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 4 | 1:00 | 4:00 | Preparation for class test |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | Class test |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 12 | 0:10 | 2:00 | Office hours |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 55:30 | 55:30 | General reading; reviewing lecture notes; solving practice problems |
| Total | 100:00 |
Jointly Taught With
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| EEE2014 | Semiconductor Devices and Analogue Electronics |
| EEE2016 | Analogue Electronics |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Lectures provide core material and guidance for further reading, problem solving practice is provided through tutorials. Work is further re-enforced through laboratory sessions. Office hours (two per week) 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
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Examination | 90 | 1 | A | 85 | N/A |
| Written Examination | 40 | 1 | M | 15 | Class test |
Exam Pairings
| Module Code | Module Title | Semester | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEE2014 | Semiconductor Devices and Analogue Electronics | 1 | N/A |
| EEE2016 | Analogue Electronics | 1 | N/A |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The examination provides the opportunity for the student to demonstrate their understanding of the lecture course material. The (in class, therefore 40 minute) test allow the students to develop their problem solving techniques, to practise the methods learnt in the module, to assess their progress and to receive feedback; these assessments have a secondary formative purpose as well as their primary summative purpose.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- PHY2027's Timetable