Semiconductor Physics

Seize the savings! Get 40% off 3 months of Coursera Plus and full access to thousands of courses.

Semiconductor Physics

This course is part of Semiconductor Devices Specialization

Instructor: Wounjhang Park

36,342 already enrolled

Included with

Learn more

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

299 reviews

Advanced level

Designed for those already in the industry

Flexible schedule

2 weeks at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

90%

Most learners liked this course

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

299 reviews

Advanced level

Designed for those already in the industry

Flexible schedule

2 weeks at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

90%

Most learners liked this course

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

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

4 assignments

Taught in English

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Learn more about Coursera for Business

logos of Petrobras, TATA, Danone, Capgemini, P&G and L'Oreal

Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is part of the Semiconductor Devices Specialization

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.

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 Boulder’s 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 videos Total 84 minutes

Semiconductor Devices Specialization Introduction 6 minutes
Course Introduction 3 minutes
Crystal Structures 13 minutes
Defects in Crystals 8 minutes
Crystal Growth 11 minutes
Formation of Energy Bands 10 minutes
Energy Band Structure 10 minutes
Semiconductor 16 minutes
Calculating atomic densities 8 minutes

5 readings Total 32 minutes

Course Updates and Accessibility Support 1 minute
Non-Credit Students: Welcome and Where to Find Help 10 minutes
Suggested Textbooks 10 minutes
Module Topics 1 minute
Materials and Physical Constants 10 minutes

1 assignment Total 30 minutes

Homework #1 30 minutes

1 peer review Total 15 minutes

Reciprocal Lattice 15 minutes

2 discussion prompts Total 20 minutes

Introduce Yourself 10 minutes
Effective Mass of Electrons in Silicon 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 videos Total 71 minutes

Density of States 16 minutes
Carrier Statistics 15 minutes
Intrinsic Semiconductors 13 minutes
Extrinsic Semiconductors 1 12 minutes
Extrinsic Semiconductors 2 15 minutes

2 readings Total 11 minutes

Module Topics 1 minute
Materials and Physical Constants 10 minutes

1 assignment Total 150 minutes

Homework 2 150 minutes

1 peer review Total 30 minutes

Density of States and Fermi-Dirac Probability Function 30 minutes

1 discussion prompt Total 10 minutes

Density of States of 1D Crystal 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

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 videos Total 99 minutes

Radiative Transitions 11 minutes
Radiative Transition Rate 13 minutes
Non-Radiative Transitions 1 12 minutes
Non-Radiative Transitions 2 16 minutes
Continuity Equation 15 minutes
Quasi-Fermi Level 8 minutes
Heterogeneous Materials 15 minutes
Continuity equation example problem 10 minutes

2 readings Total 20 minutes

Module Topics 10 minutes
Materials and Physical Constants 10 minutes

1 assignment Total 120 minutes

Homework #4 120 minutes

1 peer review Total 30 minutes

Haynes Shockley Experiment 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.¹

Instructor

Instructor ratings

(72 ratings)

Wounjhang Park

University of Colorado Boulder

6 Courses 62,458 learners

Offered by

University of Colorado Boulder

Explore more from Electrical Engineering

Status: Free Trial
University of Colorado Boulder
Semiconductor Devices
Specialization
Status: Free Trial
Arizona State University
Fundamentals of Semiconductor Characterization
Course
Status: Preview
Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology(KAIST)
Introduction to Semiconductor Devices 1
Course
Status: Free Trial
Arizona State University
Electrical Properties and Semiconductors
Course

Why people choose Coursera for their career

Felipe M.

Learner since 2018

"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."

Jennifer J.

Learner since 2020

"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."

Larry W.

Learner since 2021

"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."

Chaitanya A.

"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."

Learner reviews

5 stars
64.88%
4 stars
21.73%
3 stars
6.35%
2 stars
1.67%
1 star
5.35%

Showing 3 of 299

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 27, 2020

Excellent Course which i have ever taken and the material provided and teaching was excellent

View more reviews

Open new doors with Coursera Plus

Unlimited access to 10,000+ world-class courses, hands-on projects, and job-ready certificate programs - all included in your subscription

Learn more

Advance your career with an online degree

Earn a degree from world-class universities - 100% online

Explore degrees

Join over 3,400 global companies that choose Coursera for Business

Upskill your employees to excel in the digital economy

Learn more

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 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.