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There are 4 modules in this course
This course can also be taken for academic credit as ECEA 5631, part of CU Boulder’s Master of Science in Electrical Engineering degree.
This course presents in-depth discussion and analysis of pn junction and metal-semiconductor contacts including equilibrium behavior, current and capacitance responses under bias, breakdown, non-rectifying behavior, and surface effect. You'll work through sophisticated analysis and application to electronic devices.
At the end of this course learners will be able to:
1. Analyze pn junction at equilibrium and under bias, capacitance and current characteristics, and breakdown behavior
2. Analyze metal-semiconductor contact at equilibrium and under bias, capacitance and current characteristics, non-rectifying contact and surface effects
In this module, we look at pn junction in equilibrium. Topics include: Device structure for pn junction, Energy band diagram at equilibrium for pn junction, Depletion approximation for step junction, Poisson's equation for step junction, Energy band diagram of pn step junction, Beyond depletion approximation, Poisson's equation, Energy band diagram for linearly graded junction, Energy band diagram for heterojunction, and Effect of band alignment for heterojunction.
Non-Credit Students: Welcome and Where to Find Help•10 minutes
Suggested Textbooks•10 minutes
Module Topics•2 minutes
Materials and Physical Constants•10 minutes
Equation Sheet•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 120 minutes
Homework #1•120 minutes
1 peer review•Total 60 minutes
PN Junction•60 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
Introduce Yourself•10 minutes
PN Junction Under Bias
Module 2•4 hours to complete
Module details
In this module on pn junction under bias, we will cover the following topics: Energy band diagram of pn junction under bias, Capacitance-voltage characteristics, Impact ionization, Avalanche breakdown, Avalanche breakdown voltages, Tunneling current, Zener breakdown, Energy band diagram of pn junction under forward bias, Continuity equation, Boundary conditions, Ideal diode equation, Long- and short-base diodes, Recombination and generation in depletion region, Non-ideal current, Effect of band alignment, and Diffusion and thermionic emission currents.
What's included
7 videos3 readings1 assignment1 discussion prompt
Show info about module content
7 videos•Total 79 minutes
PN Junction Under Reverse Bias•10 minutes
Avalanche Breakdown•16 minutes
Avalanche and Zener Breakdown•14 minutes
PN Junction Under Forward Bias•10 minutes
Ideal Diode Equation•14 minutes
Non-Ideal Behavior•7 minutes
Current in Heterojunction•8 minutes
3 readings•Total 22 minutes
Module Topics•2 minutes
Materials and Physical Constants•10 minutes
Equation Sheet•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 120 minutes
Homework #2•120 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
Hall Effect and C-V Measurements•10 minutes
Metal-Semiconductor Contact
Module 3•5 hours to complete
Module details
In this module on metal semiconductor contacts, we will cover the following topics: Device structure, Equilibrium energy band diagram, Electrostatic analysis, Energy band diagram under bias, Capacitance-voltage characteristics, Image charge, Dependence of barrier height on electric field, Energy band diagram of Schottky contact under bias, Thermionic emission current, Ohmic contact by heavy doping in semiconductor, Ohmic contact by low metal work function, Surface states, Fermi level pinning.
In this module on LEDs, we will cover the follow topics: Basic operating principles of LEDs, Survey of LEDs, Blue LED and solid state lighting, Basic principle of semiconductor laser, Condition for net stimulated emission, Types of semiconductor laser, Photodiode, Avalanche photodiode, Solar cell operating principle, and I-V characteristics and power output.
What's included
4 videos3 readings1 assignment1 discussion prompt
Show info about module content
4 videos•Total 47 minutes
Light Emitting Diode•10 minutes
Laser Diode•13 minutes
Photodetector•16 minutes
Solar Cell•8 minutes
3 readings•Total 22 minutes
Module Topics•2 minutes
Materials and Physical Constants•10 minutes
Equation Sheet•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 120 minutes
Homework #4•120 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
Photodiode vs Solar Cell•10 minutes
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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.¹
View eligible degrees
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.¹
¹Successful application and enrollment are required. Eligibility requirements apply. Each institution determines the number of credits recognized by completing this content that may count towards degree requirements, considering any existing credits you may have. Click on a specific course for more information.
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Learner reviews
4.5
295 reviews
5 stars
71.86%
4 stars
16.94%
3 stars
6.10%
2 stars
1.69%
1 star
3.38%
Showing 3 of 295
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E
4·
Reviewed on Mar 19, 2020
The quizzes are quite difficult. All the subjects are so advance. but over all, it was great experience.
C
CK
5·
Reviewed on Jun 29, 2020
THE CONCEPTS WERE SIMPLE AND NO COMPLEX TERMINOLOGY IS USED, BUT PROBLEMS IN QUIZ FROM SEEK 3 & 4 ,WERE DIFFICULT TO SOLVE JUST FROM LISTENING TO THE LECTURES.
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VT
4·
Reviewed on May 29, 2020
It is very helpful but for complete this course the student must have some prior knowledge
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What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
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.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.