Course Description
Embark on an exciting journey into the world of semiconductor devices with this comprehensive online course, the first part of the Principle of Semiconductor Devices Professional Certificate Program. This intermediate-level course, offered by HKUSTx, delves deep into the fascinating realm of semiconductor physics and electronic devices, providing students with a solid foundation in the principles that govern modern electronics.
From the fundamental concepts of semiconductors to the intricate workings of bipolar junction transistors (BJTs), this course covers a wide range of topics essential for anyone looking to advance their knowledge in electronics and semiconductor technology. Through a combination of theoretical explanations and practical applications, students will gain a thorough understanding of how semiconductor devices function and how they can be utilized in various electronic circuits.
Syllabus
Week 1: Intrinsic semiconductor materials
Week 2: Doping and PN junction formation
Week 3: Current-voltage characteristics of PN junction diodes
Week 4: Real PN junction characteristics, its model and design
Week 5: PN junction optical properties and metal-semiconductor contacts
Week 6: Basic operation of Bipolar Junction Transistor
Week 7: Real Bipolar Junction Transistor structures, switching characteristics and model
Week 8: Final Exam
Course Outcomes
By enrolling in this course, students will gain a deep understanding of semiconductor devices, pn-junctions, and bipolar-junction-transistors. They will explore semiconductor materials, carrier currents, and drift-and-diffusion physics, laying the groundwork for comprehending more complex devices. The course covers practical applications such as photodiodes, solar cells, and light-emitting-diodes, as well as metal-semiconductor contacts. Students will also learn about BJT operation modes, including forward-active mode, reverse-active mode, saturation mode, and cutoff mode, along with the gain of BJT and its amplifying mechanism. By the end of the course, participants will be able to construct circuit models of BJTs and other semiconductor devices, preparing them for advanced studies and real-world applications in the ever-evolving field of electronics.