ECE 223/423 and MSC 426 - Semiconductor Devices
Fall 2006
Course Description:
Review of modern solid-state electronic devices, their principles of operation, and fabrication. Solid state physics fundamentals, free electrons, band structure, and transport properties of semiconductors. Nonequilibrium phenomena in semiconductors. P-N junctions, Schottky diodes, bipolar and field-effect transistors. Modern, highperformance devices. Ultrafast devices.
4-credit course (3.5 units of engineering science and 0.5 unit of engineering design) .
Instructor:
Professor Roman Sobolewski
CSB410; phone: 275 1551; e-mail: roman.sobolewski@rochester.edu
Office hours: by appointment, or... just stop by my office.
Teaching Assistants:
Lingyun Miao – HK grading and tutoring
CSB 401a; e-mail: limiao@ece.rochester.edu
Office hours: by appointment.
Gregg Guarino – HK grading and tutoring e-mail: kathygregg@frontiernet.net
Office hours: by appointment.
Main Textbook (required):
Donald A. Neamen, Semiconductor Physics and Devices: Basic Principles,
Third Edition (McGraw-Hill, 2003).
Additional Textbook (alternative):
Donald A. Neamen, An Introduction to Semiconductor Devices,
First Edition (McGraw-Hill, 2006).
Supplementary Textbooks:
Robert F. Pierret, Semiconductor Device Fundamentals, (Addison-Wesley Publ. 1996).
Kanaan Kano, Semiconductor Devices, (Prentice Hall, 1998).
Lectures:
Tuesday and Thursday - 2:00 PM - 3:15 PM, CSB523.
Homework:
Approximately every second week, due in class (total of 6 assignments). Homework solutions will be posted on the due date–no late homework accepted.
Project:
Each student will be asked to select a “Read-and-Review” project. The project mimics the submission and presentation process of the conference paper, and will consist of a submission abstract; oral, conference-type presentation in class; and a written proceedings paper prepared in the camera-ready style (following IEEE publication format). Your “publications” will be refereed by senior graduate students
Exams:
There will be one exam: the midterm exam –approximately at late Oct./early Nov.
Final Grade:
Will be computed on the following basis: Homework
Exam
Project
Project
in-class presentation
written paper
15%
35%
20%
30%

Course Syllabus:
1. Introduction to quantum mechanics and statistical physics of electrons.
2.
3.
Semiconductor band structure, carrier concentration, and carrier transport phenomena. Nonequilibrium phenomena in semiconductors. p-n junctions, Schottky diodes, and heterostructures.
4.
5.
Bipolar transistors.
MOS capacitors and MOSFET devices.
6. GaAs devices and ultrafast devices.
Comments:
The course is intended as a Senior-level elective (ECE223) and introductory graduate
(ECE423/MSC426). It is especially strongly recommended for all ECE students in the undergraduate "Fields and Devices" and the graduate “Solid State and Optoelectronics” concentrations, as well as for all Materials Science Program graduates. The course main objective is to provide students with the extensive introduction to the physics of semiconducting materials, as well as with fundamentals of the modern Si and GaAs devices.
Some knowledge of quantum mechanics (e.g., the PHY123 level) will help, but the course is intended to be “self-contained.” Thus, the minimal required elements of the quantum and statistical physics will be introduced in class.
Other:
Class electronic Mailing List will be set up. To send a message to everyone on the class list, send e-mail to ece223@mail.rochester.edu
.
Class web sites: http://www.ece.rochester.edu/courses/ECE423/
UR Course Resources and Reserves – Sobolewski: ECE223, ECE423, or MSC426
For the Record:
If serious illness prevents you from handing in an assignment on time, taking an exam, or presenting a project, please contact Prof. Sobolewski as soon as possible to arrange a makeup.
All work handed in for grading is accepted with the implied representation that it has been performed and written up by the person whose name appears on the paper. All applicable university policies concerning academic honesty will be strictly observed in this course.
2