PHYS5660 Semiconductor Physics and Devices
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PHYS5660 Semiconductor Physics and Devices

This is an introductory course at the postgraduate level in semiconductor physics and devices. Based on quantum theory, it describes the electronic band structures, band gaps, and phonon dispersion relations for the technologically important semiconductors such as Si, Ge, GaAs, etc. The electric transport properties and the optical properties of these bulk materials will then be treated. The principles of a number of common devices will also be introduced. Finally, the modern heterostructures at low dimensions, including quantum wells, quantum wires, and quantum dots, together with their applications will be discussed. From this course, the students will appreciate how the fundamental courses of Quantum Mechanics and Solid State Physics are applied to the technologically important semiconductor materials, which leads to today¡¯s information revolution.
Lecturer

Prof. XIAO Xudong
Office: SC 210
Tel: 31634388
Email: xdxiao@phy.cuhk.edu.hk

Teaching Assistant(s)

Ms. YIN Ling
Office: Nissen Hut N8
Tel: 26037961
Email: ylin@phy.cuhk.edu.hk
Consultation Hour: Tuesday 3pm-5pm

Mr. WANG Junxin
Office: SC G26
Tel: 26096275
Email: jxwang@phy.cuhk.edu.hk
Consultation Hour: Friday 10am-12am

Lecture Class

Tuesday 4:30PM - 6:15PM (Y.C. Liang Hall G04)
Thursday 4:30PM - 5:15PM (Y.C. Liang Hall G04)

Tutorial Class

Thursday 5:30PM - 6:15PM (Y.C. Liang Hall G04)

Prerequisite

Thermal Physics
Quantum Mechanics and Solid State Physics

Learning Outcomes

1. To apply the fundamental knowledge from Quantum Mechanics and Solid State Physics to the technologically important and useful materials.
2. To comprehensively understand the physics of semiconductors.
3. To understand the physical basis and the use of typical semiconductor devices.
4. To gain updated knowledge in the most advanced development of low dimensional semiconductor heterostructures and their applications.

Textbook(s)

  • M. Balkanski and R. F. Wallis, Semiconductor physics and applications, Oxford University Press (Oxford, 2000). QC611.B185 2000

    • Reference Books

  • K. Seeger, Semiconductor physics, Springer (Berlin, 1999) QC611.S43 1999

  • H. T. Grahn, Introduction to semiconductor physics, World Scientific (Singapore, 1999) QC611.G73 1999

  • R. Enderlein, N. J. M. Horing, Fundamentals of semiconductor physics and devices, World Scientific (Singapore, 1997) QC611.E655 1997

  • Peter Y. Yu, M. Cardona, Fundamentals of semiconductors, Springer (Berlin, 2005) QC611 .Y88 2005

  • S. M. Sze (ed.), Modern semiconductor device physics, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (New York, 1998) QC611.M674 1998

  • C. Weisbuch, B. Vinter, Quantum semiconductor structures, Academic Press, Inc. (Boston, 1991) QC611.W38

    • Assessment Scheme

    Homework 40% (15 problems)
    Project 60% (3 projects)

    Course Outline

    Part I

  • Structures of semiconductors (1.5 lectures)
  • Electronic energy bands (4.5 lectures)
  • Electronic effects of doping impurities (1.5 lectures)
  • Lattice vibrations (1.5 lectures)
  • Charge carrier transport properties (4.5 lectures)
  • Optical properties (4.5 lectures)

    Part II

  • p-n junctions (1.5 lectures)
  • Bipolar junction transistor (1.5 lectures)
  • Metal-semiconductor devices (3 lectures)
  • Semiconductor lasers and photodevices (3 lectures)
  • Heterostructures, superlattices and nanostructures (4.5 lectures)
  • Optical and transport properties of heterostructures (4.5 lectures)
  • Applications of heterostructures (3 lectures)

    Overall (39 lectures)