Solid State Devices 1

This course provides the graduate-level introduction to understand, analyze, characterize and design the operation of semiconductor devices such as transistors, diodes, solar cells, light-emitting devices, and more.

The material will primarily appeal to electrical engineering students whose interests are in applications of semiconductor devices in circuits and systems. The treatment is physics-based, provides derivations of the mathematical descriptions, and enables students to quantitatively analyze device internal processes, analyze device performance, and begin the design of devices given specific performance criteria.

Technology users will gain an understanding of the semiconductor physics that is the basis for devices. Semiconductor technology developers may find it a useful starting point for diving deeper into condensed matter physics, statistical mechanics, thermodynamics, and materials science. The course presents an electrical engineering perspective on semiconductors, but those in other fields may find it a useful introduction to the approach that has guided the development of semiconductor technology for the past 50+ years.

Students taking this course will be required to complete:

two (2) projects

one (1) proctored exam using the edX online Proctortrack software.

nine (9) homework assignments.

thirty-one (31) online quizzes are spread throughout the 16-week semester.

Completed homework and exam will be scanned and submitted using Gradescope for grading.

This course is one of a growing suite of graduate-level courses being developed in an edX/Purdue University collaboration. Courses like this can apply toward a Purdue University MSECE degree for students accepted into the full master’s program.

What you'll learn

• With the completion of this course, students will be able to:
• Explain the working principles of these devices.
• Explain the physical processes in these devices.
• Relate the device performance to materials and design criteria.
• Speak the "language" of device engineers.
• Be ready to engage in device research