Physics of Semiconductor Devices (Φ-572)

Alexandros Georgakilas

Description

This is a postgraduate level course. The successful completion of the course will provide the student with:

Knowledge of semiconductor physics that is required for understanding the fundamental semiconductor devices: Understanding of basic concepts in semiconductor physics, Knowledge of the equations enabling quantitative description/determination of electronic properties and carrier processes in semiconductors

Understanding the electronic operation of the fundamental semiconductor devices: PN junction, Bipolar Junction Transistor (BJT), Semiconductor Heterojunction, Metal-Semiconductor Contact, Metal-Insulator-Semiconductor (MOS) Contact, Field-Effect Transistor (FET)

Analytical mathematical description of the electronic operation of the above fundamental semiconductor devices in steady-state conditions: Energy band diagrams and electric fields, Capacitance-voltage relationships, Current-voltage relationships

Knowledge allowing further studies on physics or applications of

More  
Course Syllabus

The syllabus covers the following topics:

 1. Introduction to the physics of semiconductors : Main semiconductor materials, crystal structure, energy bands, effective mass, free electron and hole, energy band diagram, distribution and concentrations of carriers at thermal equilibrium, generation-recombination, drift and diffusion currents, quasi-Fermi levels, continuity equations, minority carrier diffusion equations.

2. PN junction diode : Abrupt and linear junctions, electrostatic description, C-V and I-V equations for the ideal diode, deviations from ideal behavior.

3. Bipolar junction transistor (BJT) : Terminology, symbols and regions of operation, I-V equations for the ideal transistor, I-V equations including recombination in the base, additional deviations from the ideal transistor, Ebers-Moll equations.

4. Semiconductor heterojunction: Band discontinuities based on electron affinity, energy band diagram, analytical electrostatic description of pn heterojunction, brief insight into the application of voltage and conduction.

5. Metal-semiconductor junction : Energy band diagram of ideal junction, rectifying contact (Schottky barrier diode), electrostatic description, Schottky effect, basic I-V relation, thermionic emission theory, diffusion theory, tunneling currents, experimental determination of barrier height and built-in voltage, effect of surface states, ohmic contacts.

6. Metal-insulator-semiconductor junction : The ideal metal-oxide-silicon (MOS) junction, bias on the MOS, the different states of the surface region of the semiconductor, capacitance-voltage behavior, flat-band voltage, threshold voltage and density of charge in the inversion layer, effect of oxide and interface charges, MOS memories, Charge-Coupled Devices (CCDs).

7. MOS Field Effect Transistor (MOSFET) : MOSFET types, long channel drain current equation, bulk-charge effect, body-bias effect, subthreshold conduction, small-signal circuit model, transconductance, drain current in short-channel MOSFET, short-channel effects,  determination of MOSFET parameters.

8. Brief introduction to FETs with gate consisting of a pn junction (JFET) or a Schottky diode (MESFET).  

BIBLIOGRAPHY

TEXTBOOKS

  1. «Advanced Semiconductor Fundamentals», 2nd edition, R. F. Pierret, Modular Series on Solid State Devices vol. VI, Pearson, 2003
  2. «Device Electronics for Integrated Circuits», R.S. Muller & T.I. Kamins, 3rd edition, Wiley, 2002
  3. «The PN Junction Diode», 2nd edition, G. W. Neudeck, Modular Series on Solid State Devices vol. II, Addison-Wesley, 1989
  4. «The Bipolar junction Transistor», 2nd edition, G. W. Neudeck, Modular Series on Solid State Devices v. III, Addison-Wesley, 1989
  5. «Physics of Semiconductor Devices», 3rd edition, S. M. Sze and K. K. Ng, Wiley, 2007
  6. «Physics of Semiconductor Devices», M. Shur, Prentice Hall, 1990

 

GENERAL INFORMATION WEBSITES

  • https://spectrum.ieee.org/
  • https://irds.ieee.org/
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Technology_Roadmap_for_Semiconductors
  • https://www.semiconductor-today.com/
  • https://compoundsemiconductor.net
  • https://www.eetimes.com

Calendar