Fall 2019, Cornell University
Instructor
Instructor:
Prof. Debdeep Jena (web)
Departments
of ECE and MSE, Cornell University
Office:
Phillips Hall 424
Class Hours
MWF 9:05-9:55 am @
Phillips Hall 101
Office hours & Labs:
TBD @ TBD
Prerequisite(s)
ECE 3150
or permission of instructor
Course Contents [Cornell
roster information]
Develops an understanding of semiconductor device
physics. Starting with a look at carrier
statistics, energy band diagrams and transport, the course analyzes the
operation of Schottky and p/n diodes and bipolar
junction transistors to elucidate operational principles in quasistatic,
small-signal and high-frequency conditions.
It then spends about two thirds of the time on metal-oxide-semiconductor
structures and their transistors with an emphasis on advanced features of
modern technology for digital and high frequency operation. The exploration encompasses long to short
devices, inversion, strain, gate-stack, silicon-on-insulator, tunneling, hot
carriers, instabilities and reliability, and the non-volatile memories. Accurate modeling, manufacturability and
applications underlie this exploration.
By using computer simulation and experimental data, the course
culminates in a design project dealing with technical concerns in current VLSI
industry. The goal for this course is to
develop an understanding in the student of the working of the devices so that
circuits, devices, and semiconductor processes can all be placed in a fulsome
context of the modern integrated semiconductor integrated chip.
Outcomes
+ Obtain a well-grounded understanding of
semiconductor device operation and advanced ideas in use in microelectronic
industry.
+ Learn through simulations, the aspects of
physical behavior that analytic solutions are incomplete at and their more
complete description of operational physics.
+ Apply device fundamentals and simulation
techniques to design modern nanoscale device structures.
+ Develop comprehensive skills straddling
electronics, integration, and devices as used in integrated circuits leading to
effective communication of results.
Course
Piazza link for
discussions and resources
Course
info
sheet
Course
calendar
Course
slides: Go to the Piazza link.
Lecture
Videos
from a 1-week short course from Summer 2015 on Semiconductor Device Physics
The
periodic table
The
Semiconductor Properties
Database
Topics:
1) Semiconductor Physics for Devices
2) Energy Band Diagrams
3) Schottky Junctions
4) p-n Junctions
5) Bipolar Transistors and Electronic Gain
6) Field-Effect Transistors
7) Introduction to LEDs and Lasers
8) Quantum Limits of Semiconductor Devices
Assignments
• Homework assignments are an integral part of learning in
this course.
• You are allowed to work with other students in the class
on your homeworks. The name(s) of the student(s) you
worked with must be included in your homework. But what you turn in must be in
your own writing, and have your own plots and figures. Turning in
plots/figures/text that are exact replicas of others is considered cheating (see
below).
• Assignments must be turned in before class on the due
date. The time the assignment is turned
in should be written. There will be no
exceptions to this rule.
• Present your solutions neatly. Do not turn in rough
unreadable worksheets - learn to take pride in your presentation. Show the relevant steps, so that partial
points can be awarded. your final answers where applicable. Draw figures wherever necessary. Please print out the question sheet(s) and
staple to the top of your homework.
Write your name, email address, and date/time the assignment is turned
in on the cover.
All assignments
and solutions posted in Piazza link.
1 - pdf posted:
08/30/2019 due: 09/11/2019
2 - pdf posted:
09/11/2019 due: 09/18/2019
3 - pdf posted:
09/18/2019 due: 09/25/2019
4 - pdf posted:
09/26/2019 due: 10/04/2019
5 - pdf posted:
10/06/2019 due: 10/21/2019
6 - pdf posted:
10/21/2019 due: 10/30/2019
7 - pdf posted: 11/01/2019
due: 11/14/2019
8 - pdf posted:
11/14/2019 due: 11/22/2019
9 - pdf posted:
11/22/2019 due: 12/04/2019
10-pdf posted: 12/05/2019 due: 12/13/2019
Exams and Grades
10 Assignments, 2 written prelim
exams, and 1 written final exam.
The approximate breakup of scores that will go towards your final grade is:
50% Assignments [~10 assignments, each assignment
= 5% of final grade!]
10% Prelim 1 [Tuesday Oct 1st, 2019]
15% Prelim 2 [Tuesday Nov 5th,
2019]
25% Final [Thursday Dec 19th, 2019]
Demonstrations and
Laboratories
A few demonstrations will
be performed in the course. Some course assignments may include laboratory
components or demonstrations.
Textbooks
I will hand
out notes as and when required. I will
post typed notes for the topics I prefer presenting in ways different from the
textbook/references. Unless otherwise
stated, the textbook will be the
primary source of reference. The
required text for the class is -
Richard Muller, Theodore Kamins,
and Mansun Chan (MKC)
John Wiley and Sons, 3rd Edition, ISBN:
0471593982
Excellent treatment of MOSFETs and Bipolar Transistors. Limits itself to Silicon based electronic
devices.
The
suggested references are -
Taur and Ning (TN),
Cambridge University Press
Very comprehensive and well written
textbook, limits itself to Silicon based electronic devices.
Mark Lundstrom and Jing Guo (LG)
Springer, 2006
A short book describing MOSFETs from the ballistic transport
viewpoint. Discusses scaling and
transistor limits.
Simon Sze (SZE),
Wiley Interscience
A classic. Very
encyclopedic; an excellent handbook for practicing device engineers.
Academic Integrity:
Students are expected to abide by the Cornell University Code of Academic
Integrity with work submitted for credit representing the student’s own work.
Discussion and collaboration on homework and laboratory assignments is
permitted and encouraged, but final work should represent the student’s own
understanding. Specific examples of this policy implementation will be
distributed in class. Course materials posted on Black- board or Piazza are
intellectual property belonging to the author. Students are not permitted to
buy or sell any course materials without the express permission of the
instructor. Such unauthorized behavior will constitute academic misconduct.
Please read Cornell’s policy on cheating here: Link. Let’s approach the course in
the spirit of adventure & enjoy discovering the secrets of materials and
devices that power our world today!