Semiconductor Devices (ELEN90091)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

Availability
Semester 2
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This subject serves as an introduction to semiconductor devices. It describes the fundamentals, theory, material and physical properties of semiconductor devices. The following topics will be covered.

Fundamentals: Crystal properties and of the growth of bulk crystals and of epitaxial layers. Physical concepts related to atoms and electrons. These concepts may include the photoelectric effect, the Bohr model, quantum mechanics, and the periodic table.

Energy bands and charge carriers in semiconductors: Bonding forces and energy bands in solids, charge carriers in semiconductors, carrier concentrations, the drift of carriers in electric and magnetic fields, and the Fermi level.

Excess carriers in semiconductors: Optical absorption, luminescence, carrier lifetime and photoconductivity, and the diffusion of carriers.

Junctions: Fabrication of pn junctions, equilibrium conditions, forward and reverse biased junctions in steady state, reverse bias breakdown, transient and AC conditions, metal-semiconductor junctions and heterojunctions. In the next part of the subject

PN junction diodes: Junction diodes, tunnel diodes, photodiodes, and light-emitting diodes and lasers.

Bipolar junction transistors (BJTs): Amplification and switching, fundamentals of BJT operation, BJT fabrication, minority carrier distributions and terminal currents, generalised biasing, switching, the frequency limitations of transistors, and heterojunction bipolar transistors.

Field effect transistors (FETs): Topics may include junction FETs, the metal semiconductor FET and the metal-insulator-semiconductor FET.

Additional topics (if time permits): Integrated circuits, pnpn switching devices, and microwave devices.

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this subject, students should be able to:

  • Explain the properties of semiconductor materials from first principles, including concept that include energy bands, charge carriers, drift and the Fermi level
  • Articulate the behaviour of excess carriers in semiconductors, including optical absorption, luminescence, carrier lifetime and diffusion
  • Analyse the properties of semiconductor junctions, including homojunctions, heterojunction, metal-semiconductor junctions, photodetectors and light-emitting diodes
  • Explain and understand the frequency, speed and sensitivity limitations of transistors and advanced devices
  • Model and simulate semiconductor devices to optimise their properties
  • Apply the developed understanding towards applications of semiconductor devices in sensing, imaging, and communications

Generic skills

  • Capacity for independent thought.
  • Awareness of advanced technologies in the discipline.
  • Ability to apply knowledge of basic science and engineering fundamentals.
  • Ability to undertake problem identification, formulation and solution
  • The ability to comprehend complex concepts and communicate lucidly this understanding
  • The ability to confront unfamiliar problems and in-depth technical competence in at least one engineering discipline.
  • Ability to plan work and to use time effectively
  • Ability to apply engineering methods to solve complex problems.

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
ELEN30011 Electrical Device Modelling
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

None

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.

Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Assessment

Semester 2

DescriptionTimingPercentage

Final 3-hour examination. Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) 1-6 are addressed in this assessment.

  • 3 hours
Hurdle requirement: The examination must be passed to pass the subject		During the examination period50%

Mid-semester test. ILOs 1-6 are addressed in this assessment.

  • 1 hours
Mid semester10%

Submitted laboratory reports from workshop activities. 4 x (2 week) workshop tasks are completed as a group activity by self-selected groups of 2-3 students. ILOs 1-6 are addressed in this assessment.

  • 30 hours (of work required)
From Week 3 to Week 1220%

Submitted assignments. Two written assignments are to be completed individually. Assignments should not exceed 15 pages in total over the semester. ILOs 1-6 are addressed in this assessment.

  • 12-15 hours (of work required)
From Week 2 to Week 1210%

Participation in lectures via short quizzes. ILOs 1 - 5 are addressed in this assessment.

  • 2 hours
Throughout the semester10%

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Dates & times

  • Semester 2
    Principal coordinatorKenneth Crozier
    Mode of deliveryOn Campus (Parkville)
    Contact hours36 hours of lectures, and 24 hours of workshops
    Total time commitment200 hours
    Teaching period28 July 2025 to 26 October 2025
    Last self-enrol date 8 August 2025
    Census date 1 September 2025
    Last date to withdraw without fail26 September 2025
    Assessment period ends21 November 2025

What do these dates mean

Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:

  • Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
  • And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
       -  Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
     

    Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Further information

  • Texts

    Prescribed texts

    “Solid state electronic devices,” by Streetman and Banerjee, Pearson (7the edition)

  • Subject notes

    Learning and Teaching Methods


    The subject is delivered through a combination of lectures and workshop classes for hands-on laboratory activities.

  • Available through the Community Access Program

    About the Community Access Program (CAP)

    This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.

    Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants

    Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.

  • Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students

    This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.

Last updated: 4 March 2025