NG3S921 - Advanced Semiconductors 01 Jul 2022 - 31 Aug 2028 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: NG3S921
Module Title: Advanced Semiconductors
Faculty: Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science
Faculty Group: Information and Electronics
Faculty Sub Group: Electronics
Module Leader: Kang Li
Module Team: Nigel Copner
First Intended Intake: SEP 2022 Final Year of Intake: 2027
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 6
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100163 - electrical and electronic engineering
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 1
Valid From 01 Jul 2022
Valid To 31 Aug 2028

Module Aims

The aims of this module are to:
To develop an appropriate body of knowledge around semiconductors principles of operations and methods of fabrication. Students will also study fundamental aspects of semiconductor material properties and the device operation.

Content Summary

• Semiconductor materials /intrinsic/extrinsic
• Properties of semiconductors-
• Variable electrical conductivity, heterojunctions, excited electrons/energy bands/fermi/electrons and holes, carrier generation and recombination, light emission.
• Materials-
Crystal lattice and bandgap engineering: group 14 (silicon, germanium)
Binary compounds (Gallium Arsenide, Silicon carbide, Gallium Nitride)
Ternary - AlGaAs, InGaN
Quaternary – InGaAsP
• Semiconductor wafer processes:
Thermal oxidation (silicon dioxide gate insulator/field oxide
Photomasks/photolithography (circuit patterning IC) ultraviolet.
Etching/plasma
Diffusion/doping (pn junctions)
• Semiconductor device construction and properties:
PN junction diode, Schottky Barrier, Zener Diodes, Transistors
Field effect transistors (FET/mosfets/mesfets/jfets)
LED’s, VCSELs and lasers.
• Microwave, power transistors and MEMS.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 48
Practical classes and workshops 24
Independent Study 104
Directed Study 24
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 To analyse the methods of fabrication relevant to the semiconductor industry and distinguish the different parts required in the process.
LO2 To acquire and demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of semiconductors applications, their classification, and the related testing procedures.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Synchronous Onsite Practical Assessment Practical Coursework (Onsite) 1 Exercises undertaken in class or in laboratory aimed at assessing the application of knowledge, analytical, problem-solving or evaluative skills with written report 0 720 50 No 40
Synchronous Onsite Assessment (Exam) Onsite Closed Book Examination 1 A test of knowledge and understanding by unseen questions, delivered onsite and time constrained to not more than 3 hours. 120 N/A 50 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Practical Coursework (Onsite) 1
Onsite Closed Book Examination 1

Reading List

Zant, P.V., 1990. A practical guide to Semiconductor Processing. and 48, p.46.

Geng, H., 2005. Semiconductor manufacturing handbook. McGraw-Hill, Inc.

Ed: Joachim N. Burghartz; IEEE Electron Devices Society John Wiley & Sons Inc., published 2013, ISBN 9781118347263

S.M. Sze and Kwok K. Ng; 3rd ed., Hoboken, N.J. : Wiley-Interscience, published 2007, ISBN Print 9780470068328, ISBN Ebook 9780470068304

Robert F. Pierret, Addison-Wesley c1996, ISBN 0201543931, 0131784595, 9780201543933, 9780131784598

Lessons from nanoelectronics: a new perspective on transport, Part A: basic concepts

Supriyo Datta' 2nd ed., World Scientific Publishing, published 2017, ISBN 9813209747, 9789813209749

Steven H. Simon, Oxford University Press, Incorporated, published 16-08-2013, Print ISBN 9780199680764, Ebook ISBN 9780191502101

Ben G. Streetman and Sanjay Kumar Banerjee, Solid State Electronic Devices, 7th edition, Pearson Education, 2015

Richard P. Feynman; Robert B. Leighton; Matthew L. Sands; Michael A. Gottlieb, Pearson/Addison-Wesley, published c2006, ISBN 0805390456, 0805390464, 0805390472, 0805390499, 0805390634