COURSE OUTLINE

Course Title Semiconductor Physics

Course Code EE3411 No. of Credits 3
Department Physics & Faculty Science &
Electronics Technology
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Course Code Course Code
Course Professor B.M. Taele
Coordinator(s)
E-mail bm.taele@nul.ls Telephone No. 223401601 Ext.
3532
Other Course None
Teachers(s) Tutor(s)
Learning Hours Total: 60 Learning Hours
Lecture (30 hrs); Laboratory (30 hrs)
Student Quota No Limit
Course Type  Core Course  Compulsory  Elective Other
Offer in Academic st
 1 Semester nd
 2 Semester  Year Long
Year
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Electrical and electronics engineers work with materials and devices that rely on
their electrical properties. This introductory course in electronics explores the
atomic structure and electrical behavior of various semiconductor devices. This
course offers an in-depth introduction to the principles and applications of
semiconductor electronics. It focuses on the atomic structure, electrical
properties, and behavior of semiconductor materials and devices. Key topics
include the fundamentals of quantum theory, energy band structures, charge
carriers, and the operation of essential semiconductor devices such as diodes,
transistors, and integrated circuits.

The course aims to build a solid foundation in the physical and theoretical
concepts underlying modern semiconductor technology, preparing students for
advanced study or practical applications in electronics and electrical engineering.
COURSE OBJECTIVES

 Describe semiconductor behavior using energy band and energy bond concepts.
 Understand the Fermi Level and how n-type and p-type semiconductors are formed through the
intentional addition of dopant atoms.
 Apply the continuity equation to solve various semiconductor-related problems.
 Explain the formation of p-n junctions and understand how current flow across the junction is
governed by minority carrier movement.
 Understand how the formation of p-n junctions is utilized in the design of JFETs and bipolar
transistors.

GUIDELINES ON GRADING AND STANDARDS OF ASSESSMENT

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General Course Grade Descriptors
A
B
C
D
F
Non-
graded
COURSE CONTENT

1. Introduction to Semiconductor Electronics

 Overview of semiconductor materials

 Importance of semiconductors in modern electronics
 Basic concepts: conductors, insulators, and semiconductors

2. Atomic Structure and Energy Bands

 Atomic structure and bonding in semiconductors

 Energy band theory: conduction band, valence band, and bandgap
 Intrinsic and extrinsic semiconductors

3. Charge Carriers in Semiconductors

 Electrons and holes: concepts and dynamics

 Carrier generation and recombination
 Doping and its effects on semiconductor properties

4. Fermi Level and Carrier Concentration

 Understanding the Fermi Level in semiconductors

 Carrier concentration in intrinsic and extrinsic semiconductors
 Temperature dependence of carrier concentration

5. Transport Properties of Semiconductors

 Carrier mobility and conductivity

 Drift and diffusion of charge carriers
 The continuity equation and its applications

6. p-n Junctions

 Formation and properties of p-n junctions

 Depletion region and built-in potential
 Current-voltage characteristics of p-n junctions

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7. Diodes

 Operation and applications of semiconductor diodes

 Zener diodes and breakdown mechanisms
 Photodiodes, LEDs, and optoelectronic devices

8. Bipolar Junction Transistors (BJTs)

 Structure and operation of BJTs

 Current flow in BJTs and transistor characteristics
 Applications of BJTs in amplification and switching

9. Field Effect Transistors (FETs)

 Junction Field Effect Transistors (JFETs): structure and operation

 Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor FETs (MOSFETs): principles and
characteristics
 Applications of FETs in digital and analog circuits

10. Advanced Topics in Semiconductor Devices

 Overview of power semiconductors

 Semiconductor-based sensors
 Introduction to integrated circuits and VLSI technology

11. Practical Applications and Emerging Trends

 Semiconductor technology in renewable energy (e.g., solar cells)

 Advancements in semiconductor fabrication techniques
 Future trends in semiconductor electronics

12. Laboratory Sessions

 Characterization of semiconductor devices

 Practical experiments with diodes, transistors, and circuits
 Simulation of semiconductor behavior using software tools

13. Review and Assessments

 Problem-solving sessions
 Recap of key concepts
 Final project and examination

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 COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES
Course Learning Outcomes Aligned Programme
Leaning Outcomes
After participating in the course, students would be able to:
 Describe fundamental concepts of solid-state physics applied to the
semiconductor devices by Silicon and compound semiconductor
materials.
 Explain general electrical behavior of semiconductor Si and GaAs,
construct appropriate physical models.
 Illustrate structural details and current-voltage characteristics of p-n
junction diode,
 Apply the fundamental understandings of semiconductor devices with
knowledge on the limitations of physical models.
COURSE TEACHING AND LEARNING ACTIVITIES
Course Teaching and Learning Activities Aligned Programme
Leaning Outcomes
There are four contact hours weekly; 1 x 2 hour lecture, and 1 x 2 hour laboratory

The pedagogy will be lectures, presentations, tutorials, assignments and class work.

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 COURSE ASSESSMENT METHODS
Assessment Description Weigh Aligned Course
Method t Leaning Outcomes
Assignments will be given that require
students to carry out independent research,
using the web, library references and other
Assignments resource. 10%

Mid-Semester Assignment (5%) and End-of-

Semester Assignment (5%)
Tests (mostly Midterm Test (7.5%), End-of-term Test
15%
takehome) (7.5%),
Experiments which reinforce concepts learned
Laboratory in the course. A maximum of 3 laboratory 25%
experiments
The end-of-semester exam will be three hours
long and will consist of a series of short-
Final Exam response questions. The exam content will be 50%
based on material covered in weekly lectures,
assignments, and assigned class readings.

ESSENTIAL READING: (JOURNAL, TEXTBOOKS, WEBSITE ADDRESS, ETC.)

TEXTBOOK(S)
Ben Streetman, Sanjay Banerjee, Solid State Electronic Devices (6th edition), Prentice-Hall, Pearson
Education, 2006.
For topics that are currently under investigation, technical papers will be supplied where necessary.

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 MEANS/PROCESSES FOR STUDENT FEEDBACK ON COURSE

COURSE POLICY (including plagiarism, academic honesty, attendance, etc.)

Unless otherwise stated, the normal course administration policies and rules of the Faculty of Science
and Technology apply. For the policy, see http://www.nul.ls

The University regulations on academic misconduct will be strictly enforced. Please refer to
http://ww.nul.ls/student/plagiarism for further details. In addition, students should familiarise themselves
with http://www.nul.lib.ls

General health and safety information can be obtained from http://www.nul.ls/helalth-and-safety

ADDITIONAL COURSE INFORMATION
The Course Coordinator is available for consultations at times that are displayed on the coordinator’s
office notice board. Queries may also be emailed to the Course Coordinator directly at bm.taele@nul.ls
ACADEMIC COUNCIL APPROVAL
Signature: Date:

Question: Why study semiconductor physics and electronic devices?

Answer: They are the backbone of modern technology
 Computers.
 Scientific instruments.
 Cars and airplanes (sensors and actuators).
 Homes (radios, ovens, clocks, clothes dryers, etc.).
 Public bathrooms (Auto-on sinks and toilets).

Question: Why study the physical operation?

Answer: This is an engineering class. You are studying so that you know how to make better devices and
tools. If you do not understand how a tool works, you cannot make a better tool. (Technicians
and electricians can make a tool work but they cannot significantly improve it. They, however,
are not trained to understand the basic operation of the tool.)
 Design systems (Can you get something to work or not?).
 Make new – improved – devices.
 Be able to keep up with new devices.

Question: What devices will we study?

Answer:
 Bulk semiconductors to resistors.
 P-n junction diodes and Schottky diodes.
 Field Effect Transistors (FETs) – This is the primary logic transistor!
 Bipolar junction transistors – This is the primary ‘power’ transistor!

By course end, the students should know:

 How these devices act.
 Why these devices act the way they do
 Finally, the students should gain a “manure” detector. This can be described as the ability to judge
whether or not a device should act in a given manner, i.e., if someone describes a device and says that its
operational characteristics are “such and such”, the student should be able to briefly look at the situation
and say “maybe” or “unlikely”. (Only a detailed study can give “absolutely” or “absolutely not”.)

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