Semiconductor Physics
Keep adding new skills with 10,000+ programs for $239 (usually $399). Save now.
Semiconductor Physics
This course is part of Semiconductor Devices Specialization
Instructor: Wounjhang Park
37,299 already enrolled
Included with
Learn more
301 reviews
301 reviews
What you'll learn
Understand the energy band structures and their significance in electric properties of solids
Analyze the carrier statistics in semiconductors
Analyze the carrier dynamics and the resulting conduction properties of semiconductors
Details to know
4 assignments
See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills
Build your subject-matter expertise
- Learn new concepts from industry experts
- Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
- Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
- Earn a shareable career certificate
There are 4 modules in this course
This course can also be taken for academic credit as ECEA 5630, part of CU Boulderβs Master of Science in Electrical Engineering degree.
This course introduces basic concepts of quantum theory of solids and presents the theory describing the carrier behaviors in semiconductors. The course balances fundamental physics with application to semiconductors and other electronic devices. At the end of this course learners will be able to: 1. Understand the energy band structures and their significance in electric properties of solids 2. Analyze the carrier statistics in semiconductors 3. Analyze the carrier dynamics and the resulting conduction properties of semiconductors
In this module we will introduce the course and the Semiconductor Devices specialization. In addition, we will review the following topics: Type of solids, Bravais lattices, Lattice with basis, Point defects, Dislocation, Bulk crystal growth, Epitaxy, Energy levels of atoms and molecules, Energy bands of solids, Energy bands in real space, Energy bands in reciprocal lattice, Energy band structures of metal and insulator, Definition of semiconductor, Electrons and holes, and Effective mass.
What's included
9 videos5 readings1 assignment1 peer review2 discussion prompts
9 videosβ’Total 84 minutes
- Semiconductor Devices Specialization Introductionβ’6 minutes
- Course Introductionβ’3 minutes
- Crystal Structuresβ’13 minutes
- Defects in Crystalsβ’8 minutes
- Crystal Growthβ’11 minutes
- Formation of Energy Bandsβ’10 minutes
- Energy Band Structureβ’10 minutes
- Semiconductorβ’16 minutes
- Calculating atomic densitiesβ’8 minutes
5 readingsβ’Total 32 minutes
- Course Updates and Accessibility Supportβ’1 minute
- Non-Credit Students: Welcome and Where to Find Helpβ’10 minutes
- Suggested Textbooksβ’10 minutes
- Module Topicsβ’1 minute
- Materials and Physical Constantsβ’10 minutes
1 assignmentβ’Total 30 minutes
- Homework #1β’30 minutes
1 peer reviewβ’Total 15 minutes
- Reciprocal Latticeβ’15 minutes
2 discussion promptsβ’Total 20 minutes
- Introduce Yourselfβ’10 minutes
- Effective Mass of Electrons in Siliconβ’10 minutes
In this module, we will cover carrier statistics. Topics include: Currents in semiconductors, Density of states, Fermi-Dirac probability function, Equilibrium carrier concentrations, Non-degenerate semiconductors, Intrinsic carrier concentration, Intrinsic Fermi level, Donor and acceptor impurities, Impurity energy levels, Carrier concentration in extrinsic semiconductor, and Fermi level of extrinsic semiconductors.
What's included
5 videos2 readings1 assignment1 peer review1 discussion prompt
5 videosβ’Total 71 minutes
- Density of Statesβ’16 minutes
- Carrier Statisticsβ’15 minutes
- Intrinsic Semiconductorsβ’13 minutes
- Extrinsic Semiconductors 1β’12 minutes
- Extrinsic Semiconductors 2β’15 minutes
2 readingsβ’Total 11 minutes
- Module Topicsβ’1 minute
- Materials and Physical Constantsβ’10 minutes
1 assignmentβ’Total 150 minutes
- Homework 2β’150 minutes
1 peer reviewβ’Total 30 minutes
- Density of States and Fermi-Dirac Probability Functionβ’30 minutes
1 discussion promptβ’Total 10 minutes
- Density of States of 1D Crystalβ’10 minutes
This module introduces you to currents in semiconductors. Topics we will cover include: Thermal motion of carriers, Carrier motion under electric field, Drift current, Mobility and conductivity, Velocity saturation, Diffusion of carriers, General expression for currents in semiconductor, Carrier concentration and mobility, and the Van der Pauw technique.
What's included
4 videos2 readings1 assignment1 discussion prompt
4 videosβ’Total 51 minutes
- Currents in Semiconductorβ’15 minutes
- Drift Currentβ’14 minutes
- Diffusion Currentβ’13 minutes
- Hall Effectβ’10 minutes
2 readingsβ’Total 20 minutes
- Module Topicsβ’10 minutes
- Materials and Physical Constantsβ’10 minutes
1 assignmentβ’Total 90 minutes
- Homework #3β’90 minutes
1 discussion promptβ’Total 15 minutes
- Mobility and Diffusion Coefficientβ’15 minutes
In this module we explore carrier dynamics. Topics include: Electronic transitions in semiconductor, Radiative transition, Direct and indirect bandgap semiconductors, Roosbroeck-Shockley relationship, Radiative transition rate at non-equilibrium, Minority carrier lifetime, Localized states, Recombination center and trap, Shockley-Hall-Reed recombination, Surface recombination, Auger recombination, Derivation of continuity equation, Non-equilibrium carrier concentration, Quasi-Fermi level, Current and quasi-Fermi level, Non-uniform doping, and Non-uniform bandgap.
What's included
8 videos2 readings1 assignment1 peer review
8 videosβ’Total 99 minutes
- Radiative Transitionsβ’11 minutes
- Radiative Transition Rateβ’13 minutes
- Non-Radiative Transitions 1β’12 minutes
- Non-Radiative Transitions 2β’16 minutes
- Continuity Equationβ’15 minutes
- Quasi-Fermi Levelβ’8 minutes
- Heterogeneous Materialsβ’15 minutes
- Continuity equation example problemβ’10 minutes
2 readingsβ’Total 20 minutes
- Module Topicsβ’10 minutes
- Materials and Physical Constantsβ’10 minutes
1 assignmentβ’Total 120 minutes
- Homework #4β’120 minutes
1 peer reviewβ’Total 30 minutes
- Haynes Shockley Experimentβ’30 minutes
Earn a career certificate
Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.
Build toward a degree
This course is part of the following degree program(s) offered by University of Colorado Boulder. If you are admitted and enroll, your completed coursework may count toward your degree learning and your progress can transfer with you.ΒΉ
Instructor
Offered by
Explore more from Electrical Engineering
- Status: Free TrialU
University of Colorado Boulder
Specialization
- Status: Free TrialA
Arizona State University
Course
- Status: PreviewK
Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology(KAIST)
Course
- Status: Free TrialA
Arizona State University
Course
Why people choose Coursera for their career
Learner reviews
- 5 stars
64.90%
- 4 stars
21.85%
- 3 stars
6.29%
- 2 stars
1.65%
- 1 star
5.29%
Showing 3 of 301
Reviewed on Aug 6, 2020
Concepts are logically placed,with clear explanation
Reviewed on Jun 4, 2020
A very useful course for me to understand semiconductor physics. And systematically operated course.
Reviewed on May 11, 2020
Its a very good course and so much useful to the Engineering and Science graduates.
Frequently asked questions
To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you canβt afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, youβll find a link to apply on the description page.
More questions
Financial aid available,
