Electric Materials and Semiconductors

Year
2
Academic year
2020-2021
Code
01016225
Subject Area
Physics
Language of Instruction
Portuguese
Mode of Delivery
Face-to-face
Duration
SEMESTRIAL
ECTS Credits
6.0
Type
Compulsory
Level
1st Cycle Studies

Recommended Prerequisites

Basic concepts of mathematics and physics acquired from earlier courses (see Análise Matemática I e II e Mecânica e Ondas)

Teaching Methods

The course is based on two types of classes: theoretical-practical classes, where the different course subjects are presented and discussed, and laboratorial classes, for clarification and application of the concepts discussed in the theoretical ones.

Learning Outcomes

This unit contents are divided in several sections along which the basic relations of quantum mechanics, the theory of bands in crystals, the description of the different hierarchical approaches to the charge transportation theory, lattice vibrations and it’s implications, the understanding of the macroscopic elastic properties of solids, and the operation principles and applications of the p-n junction, are explored in sequence.

The main expected outcomes are the comprehension of the fundamentals of quantum mechanics and band theory of solids, the knowledge about the physical phenomena underlying the transport of charged carriers in solids, the understanding of the methods for investigating advanced solid-state devices, to be able to determine the important microscopic and macroscopic parameters involved in the functioning of semiconductor devices (particularly the ones based on the p-n junction).

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

Crystalline structure of solids: Type of atomic connections. Dual nature of the matter. Heisenberb uncertainty principle. Schrodinger equation.

Electrons distribution in atoms: Pauli Principles, Fermi function, free electron distribution function, energy band model.

Conducting materials: Electrical conduction in conductive materials. Physical interpretation of the Ohm’s Law. Superconductive materials and their applications. High resistive materials and their applications.

Non-conductive materials: Dielectrics polarization and dielectric constant. Behaviour of dielectric solids, liquids and gases. Capacitors.

Semiconducting materials: Energy bands and charge behaviour: charge carriers, impurity’s in semiconductors, charge carriers concentration, Hall effect. Conduction mechanisms: conduction in semiconductors. Semiconductors fabrication process. Einstein relation. Thermal Voltage (VT). p-n junctions. Forward bias mode and reversed bias mode. Depletion region: Zener voltage.

Head Lecturer(s)

Vitali Iourievitch Tchepel

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Mini Tests: 15.0%
Laboratory work or Field work: 25.0%
Exam: 60.0%

Bibliography

1. D.A. Neamen, Semiconductor Physics and Devices, IRWIN, 1992.

2. M. Rudan, Physics of Semiconductor Devices, Springer, 2015.

3. S.M. Sze, Semiconductor Devices -.Physics and Technology, Wiley, 1985.

4. N. Ashcroft, N. Mermin, Solid State Physics, Saunders, 1976.

5. M. Bsrsoumn, Fundamentals of Ceramics,Mcgraw-Hill, 1997.

6. W.D. Kungery, Introduction to Ceramics, Wiley, 1975