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ECE 530 Physical Electronics |
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Properties of charged particles under influence of fields and in solid materials (particularly semiconductors). Quantum mechanics (square wells, barriers, harmonic oscillator, hydrogen atom), particle statistics (distribution functions, density of states), semi-conductor properties (energy bands, energy-momentum relations, dopants, electrons, holes), fundamental particle transport properties (transport of electrons and holes via drift and diffusion), p-n junctions (electric fields, depletion and neutral regions, current voltage characteristics), lasers and masers (stimulated emission, Einstein coefficients, gain, loss). This course is a prerequisite to most 700 level Nanoelectronic and Photonic courses. 3 credit hours. |
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Prerequisite |
Undergraduate degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering, Physics or related degree with a basic understanding of undergraduate electromagnetics at the Junior level (e.g. ECE 303). It is highly recommended that students registering for this course should also have had exposure to concepts in modern Physics (elementary quantum mechanics), pn junctions and electrical conductivity (elementary solid state Physics) at the undergraduate level.
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| Course Objectives | Develop an understanding of the transport and energy-momentum relations of charged carriers in semiconductors. Employ this knowledge to understand the operation of a pn junction. By the end of the semester the students will be able to: 1) Solve Schrodinger’s equation for a simple square well, harmonic oscillator and hydrogen atom using quantum mechanics; 2) Identify when to use Fermi-Dirac and Bose-Einstein statistics and solve basic population density problems employing the density of states concept; 3) Understand the transport of electrons and holes in a semiconductor under both drift and diffusion; 4) Describe the operation of a pn junction based on the transport of electrons and holes through the depletion and neutral regions of a semiconductor junction; 5) Identify and describe the key elements required for laser operation.
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| Course Requirements | HOMEWORK: Best 10 of 11 assignments (15%) EXAMINATIONS: First class exam (25%), Second in class exam (25%), Final exam (35%) SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS: Web access is needed to download home work assignments and class notes (Adobe pdf format). No specific software applications are required to complete the home work assignments. PROJECTS: No projects but plenty of long home work assignments to hone your problem solving skills.
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| Textbooks | There is no required text book. The instructor’s class notes will be posted in the class locker. Dr. Hauser’s original typed notes from many years ago will be available in hard copy from a local copy shop and/or in Adobe pdf format in the course locker. A list of recommended books will be provided in the course locker to supplement your background in the various topic areas.
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| Computer and Internet Requirements | NCSU has recommended minimum specifications for computers used for classes. Depending on your computer needs, we recommend your computer meet or exceed the following minimum specifications below. PCs must have an Intel-compatible 1 GHz processor, 512 MB RAM, 60 GB hard drive with 1 GB free space available, 256 Color Display, CD-ROM drive, 1024x768 (min.) video adapter, sound card, and speakers. The operating system should be Windows XP Pro. Real One Player Basic (available free online) and high speed Internet connection such as cable, DSL, T1 or LAN will be required for EOL courses. MAC users must have a G4 processor with firewire and USB factory built-in, 512 MB RAM, 60 GB with 1GB free space available, 256 Color Display, CD-ROM drive, 1024x768 (min) video adapter, sound card, and speakers. The operating system must be MacOS 10.4 (minimum) along with the above RealOne and Internet specifications above. For more detailed information on computer specifications and recommendations, please refer to our website at: http://engineeringonline.ncsu.edu/currentstudents/computeraccess.htm
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| Instructor | Dr. Robert M Kolbas, Professor
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