NEEI-6401 Introduction to Semiconductors (IC 510)

Note: The following provides a suggested course description, objectives, and an outline. These may be modified pending discussion with the Faculty Chairs, proposing faculty, and other curriculum reviewers.

Course Description: The course covers basic semiconductor properties, elemental quantum mechanics, energy band theory, equilibrium carrier statistics, and carrier transport. Emphasis will be on Si, Ge and GaAs. The course is intended for junior and senior level undergraduate and beginning graduate students.

Course Objectives: To learn the physics of semiconductor materials including equilibrium and transport properties.

Course Outline by Topical Areas:

Basic Semiconductor Properties: Crystal Structures, Miller Indices

Elements of Quantum Mechanics: Uncertainty principles, finite barrier, finite well problems

Energy Band Theory: The Kronig-Penney Model, energy bands and Brillouin zones, E-k diagrams, applications to Ge, Si and GaAs

Equilibrium Carrier Statistics: Density of states,

Fermi function, freeze-out considerations, degenerate semiconductors

Recombination-Generation Process: r-g statistics, surface r-g, general and specialized steady-state relationships

Carrier Transport: Drift and diffusion equations, velocity saturation, intervalley carrier transfer, ballistic transport, equations of state; Applications of physical principles to Si and GaAs device-operation, design and fabrication