Semiconductor Fundamentals

AY2020/2021 Semester 1

This course aims to develop in you a basic appreciation of the impact semiconductor technology has on modern humanity, by equipping you with a fundamental knowledge of (a) elementary semiconductor physics; (b) key semiconductor material structures, phenomena and properties; (c) operating principle of a semiconductor diode (one of the building blocks of modern integrated circuits); (d) common applications of the semiconductor diode in daily lives (laser, LED lighting, solar cell and photodetector). The knowledge gained will help you appreciate the transformative power semiconductor technology has in the era of electronics revolution and will serve as an important stepping stone to subsequent specialization in semiconductor process and device engineering and novel technology development. Contents: Basic Semiconductor Concepts. Semiconductor in Equilibrium and Carrier Transport Phenomena. Semiconductor in Non-Equilibrium. P-N Junction and Metal-Semiconductor Contacts. Bipolar Junction Transistor and Optoelectronic Devices.