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 Learning | Lecture materials | 18 | 1:00 | 18:00 | Non-Synchronous Activities |
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 1 | 4:30 | 4:30 | Synchronous On-Line Materials |
Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 15 | 1:00 | 15:00 | N/A |
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 1 | 4:30 | 4:30 | Present in person |
Structured Guided Learning | Structured non-synchronous discussion | 9 | 1:00 | 9:00 | N/A |
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 2 | 1:00 | 2:00 | Office Hour or Discussion Board Activity |
Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 47 | 1:00 | 47:00 | N/A |
Total | 100:00 |
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 exercise | 1 | M | 100 | N/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 assessment | 1 | M | assignment |
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
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- PHY2027's Timetable