Duration
26h Th, 26h Pr
Number of credits
| Master of Science (MSc) in Electrical Engineering | 5 crédits | |||
| Master of Science (MSc) in Engineering Physics | 5 crédits |
Lecturer
Language(s) of instruction
English language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
In this course, we introduce the fundamental physical concepts underlying semiconducting devices. We expose the physics of semiconducting materials and introduce the main transport models (drift-diffusion). These notions are then applied on an analysis of the electrical behavior and performance of various electronic components.
More precisely, the following elements are discussed:
crystal structure of semiconductors, energy bands, n- and p-dopings, Fermi distribution and Fermi sea, drift in an electrical field, in a magnetic field, diffusion, optical absorption, luminescence, excess carrier lifetime.
The concepts are illustrated on pn junctions (static equilibrium, direct and inverse biases), metal-semiconductor junctions, bipolar and field effect transistors, MOS capacitors.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
To be able to:
- explain the physics of semiconducting junctions and transistors
- understand and state the equations describing the basic phenomena underlying the drift-diffusion model,
- know the orders of magnitude involved in thermal or optical generation of carriers, in their transport, their collection or their recombination,
- assess the influence of the fundamental parameters involved in semiconductors on the electrical performance of devices.
This course contributes to the learning outcomes I.1, I.2, II.1, II.2, III.1, III.2, VI.1 of the MSc in biomedical engineering.
This course contributes to the learning outcomes I.1, I.2, II.1, II.2, III.1, III.2, IV.7, VI.1 of the MSc in electrical engineering.
This course contributes to the learning outcomes I.1, I.2, II.1, II.2, III.1, III.2, III.2, VI.1 of the MSc in engineering physics.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
It is recommended to have followed a course on analog electronics or to have read the first three chapters of the course "ELEN0075-1 - Analog electronics" in order to better grasp the general context of this course.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
The course is composed of "ex-cathedra" sessions (30 hours) and practical sessions (30 hours).
The "ex-cathedra" sessions are devoted to the description of the fundamental concepts of semiconductor physics, charge carrier generation, transport equations, and an illustration of these notions in semiconductor devices.
The practical sessions are devoted to an applicaton of the concepts on specific examples. Typically, an exercice illustrates a given mechanism, a genuine model, and relevant orders of magnitude. Students are invited to participate actively to these sessions.
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Face-to-face course
Recommended or required readings
- Main and compulsory sources:
- Secondary and optional sources (copies available at the library):
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
written exam ( open-ended questions )
Additional information:
A written exam is organized during the January exam session. It starts with a theory part (1h30), which covers the theory concepts seen in the "ex cathedra" part and in the exercice sessions. It is followed by an exercice part (2h30), on problems similar to those seen in the exercice sessions.
The entire exam is 'closed book'. For the exercice part only, forms are distributed and calculators are required. Cell phones and smartphones are forbidden for the entire exam.
The same rules apply for student having to take the exam in September.
Work placement(s)
N/A
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
The course is scheduled during the first quadrimester. For any additional information, consult http://www.montefiore.ulg.ac.be/~vdh/elen0004.html .
Contacts
Benoît Vanderheyden, B.Vanderheyden @ uliege.be