Latest Module Specifications
Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026
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Description This module introduces the student to the basics physics of semiconductor devices as well to key semiconductor based devices such as diodes, transistors, and optoelectronic devices. The latter part of the course gives the students an overview of semiconductor processing which is based on current, state-of-the-art manufacturing processes. Introducing modern semiconductor fabrication processing techniques will benefit students who either pursue postgraduate education in this area, or who obtain employment in the sector. The module is largely knowledge-based. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Learning Outcomes 1. Describe and explain the main elements of semiconductor physics including a qualitative description of semiconductor bands. 2. Identify and discuss the key features of pn junctions 3. derive the diode equation and other key equations relating to semiconductor physics 4. Indicate the operation of key devices such as tunnel diodes, rectifiers, bipolar and FET transistors 5. Describe the main semiconductor processing steps which lead to the fabrication of integrated circuits | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml |
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Indicative Content and Learning Activities
Learning activities and teaching methodologies The teaching methodology used is via the traditional lecture mode but with interactive tutorials and quiz sessions. The interactive tutorials cover concepts such as carrier concentration, density of states, and the Hall effect, diffusion, and diode current calculations From the students' point of view, their learning activities will be mainly centred around studying the concepts and relating these to numerical problem solving, and ultimately to the device physics which underpins modern CMOS processes. The quiz sessions will also be a useful learning activity. A strong focus is placed on links to previous modules. All activities and learning objectives are assessed by the final examination. There is also a continuous assessment element based on modern semiconductor manufacturing techniques with a focus on strong scientific writing skills. Lecture Series: Basic Semiconductor Physics Conduction in metals and semiconductors, energy bands, electrons and holes, density of startes. Doping effects on semiconductors n- and p- doping, Hall effect, carrier drift, temperature dependence of semiconductor behaviour Lecture Series: Diffusion of Carriers Introduction to diffusion, recombination, drift and diffusion currents, Einstein relation, semiconductor continuity equation, Haynes-Shockley experiment Lecture Series: PN Junctions Junction in equilibrium, biased pn junctions, Diode IV characteristics, derivation of full pn junction equation, Zener diodes, Junction capacitance, metal-semiconductor junctions Lecture Series: Applications of Diodes Rectification, switching diodes and breakdown diodes, tunnel diodes, photodiodes, LEDs, solar cells, and semiconductor lasers. Lecture Series: Transistors Bipolar transistors, Junction field effect transistors, Metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors Lecture Series: Semiconductor Processing Introduction to the industry, wafer manufacture and deposition, lithography, diffusion and ion implantation, dielectrics, oxide growth, test and packaging, MOS process flow, device reliability, recent advances in manufacturing. Tutorial Series Students work on 4 tutorial problem sets throughout the semester, in which all of the key concepts of the module are covered. One tutorial is based on basic solid state physics and band structure, one on diffusion and the Einstein relation, one on pn junctions, and the final problem set covers the entire course and is intended as an aid to revision. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Indicative Reading List Books:
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Other Resources None | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||