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Fundamentals of Semiconductor Characterization

Trevor Thornton

Many of you may have already completed a semester-long class focused on devices, perhaps even more than one. However, if you took that class a while ago or have only the minimum exposure to semiconductor devices, we have developed this short course to review the fundamentals you will need to be successful in this specialization.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Course Introduction

The goal of this course is to review the fundamentals of semiconductor materials, p-n junction diodes, and MOS capacitors. There are many semiconductor technologies based on different material systems, but the most important is complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor, or CMOS for short. This course will focus on semiconductor materials and devices relevant to CMOS manufacturing, but the concepts can be applied much more broadly. Many of you may have already completed a semester-long class focused on devices, perhaps even more than one. However, if you took that class a while ago or have only the minimum exposure to semiconductor devices, we have developed this short course to review the fundamentals you will need to be successful in this specialization.

Week 1.1: Semiconductor Basics

This week provides a brief overview of the basics of semiconductors. This information may be familiar to some, but it may provide a solid introduction to others.

Week 1.2: P-N Junction Diodes

This week, you will learn about the band diagrams and current voltage characteristics of p-n junction diodes.

Week 1.3: MOS Capacitors

This week, you will learn about metal-oxide semiconductor (MOS) capacitors and oxide charges.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores industry standard CMOS fundamentals suitable for anyone new to semiconductor devices and materials

Builds foundational knowledge of semiconductor materials and their electrical properties

Covers essential concepts for understanding semiconductor device fabrication and operation

Introduces fundamental concepts of semiconductor devices, such as p-n junction diodes and MOS capacitors

Lays the groundwork for further exploration in semiconductor physics and device engineering

Provides a concise review of key concepts for those with prior exposure to semiconductor devices

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Career center

Learners who complete Fundamentals of Semiconductor Characterization will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Semiconductor Engineer

As a critical member of a product design team, a Semiconductor Engineer's work focuses on the design and optimization of semiconductor devices. With the mobile electronics market as one of the largest consumers of semiconductors, demand for professionals who can design and ship new products is very high. This course will build a solid foundation for working with semiconductor materials and devices, which can help you find success as a Semiconductor Engineer.

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Semiconductor Device Physicist

Semiconductor Device Physicists focus on understanding how semiconductors work. They combine an understanding of physics with materials science to design and optimize semiconductor devices. This course can provide the deep, foundational understanding of semiconductor physics and devices that Semiconductor Device Physicists need for their work.

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Materials Scientist

Materials Scientists play a key role in the development of new technologies by designing and studying the properties of new materials. Many Materials Scientists focus on the properties of semiconductor materials, which are used in everything from solar panels to computer chips. This course can help you build the foundational understanding of semiconductor materials needed for this career.

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Semiconductor Sales Engineer

A Semiconductor Sales Engineer's main purpose is to understand the needs of their customers and sell them the right products. To do this, a Semiconductor Sales Engineer must have a strong understanding of semiconductor materials and devices. This course can be very helpful for building this foundational understanding.

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Solar Cell Engineer

Solar Cell Engineers work on the design and development of solar cells, focusing on the materials, optimization, and manufacturing processes used to create devices that efficiently convert sunlight into electricity. This course can help you develop the understanding of semiconductor materials and devices that is essential for this career.

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Semiconductor Manufacturing Engineer

Semiconductor Manufacturing Engineers are responsible for the manufacturing of semiconductor devices. They plan and control the manufacturing process, which can be challenging due to the complex, sensitive nature of semiconductor materials and devices. This course can help you develop the understanding of semiconductor materials and devices that is essential for this career.

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Microelectronics Engineer

Microelectronics Engineers design and build microelectronic systems, which are typically very small and often found in modern electronic devices like smartphones and laptops. Many microelectronic systems make use of semiconductor devices and materials, so this course can help you understand these core technologies.

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Materials Engineer

Materials Engineers develop, test, and optimize the materials used in products such as electronics, aircraft, and medical devices. Many modern materials are semiconductors, so this course could prove helpful for understanding these materials.

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Semiconductor Process Engineer

Semiconductor Process Engineers work on the processing and manufacturing of semiconductor devices. This course can help you understand the semiconductor materials and devices that you will work with as a Semiconductor Process Engineer.

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Integrated Circuit Designer

Integrated Circuit Designers use computer-aided design tools to create the layout of integrated circuits, which are essential for advanced electronics and computing. This course may be helpful for learning about the semiconductor devices that are used in integrated circuits.

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Nanotechnology Engineer

Nanotechnology Engineers work on the development and application of nanoscale materials and devices. Semiconductors are one of the most common types of materials used in nanotechnology. This course can provide a strong foundation for the work done by Nanotechnology Engineers.

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Electronics Engineer

Electronics Engineers design, develop, and test electronic circuits and systems for a variety of applications. Many of the devices and systems that an Electronics Engineer works with rely on semiconductor materials and devices. This course can help you understand the basics of these core technologies.

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Electrical Engineer

Electrical Engineers work on the design and development of electrical systems and components. They use their understanding of electricity, electronics, and electromagnetism to create new technologies. This course may be helpful for understanding how semiconductor materials and devices are used in various electrical systems.

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Mechanical Engineer

Mechanical Engineers design and develop mechanical systems and components. Semiconductors are often used in these systems, so this course can help you build a stronger understanding of the materials and devices that you may work with as a Mechanical Engineer.

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Chemical Engineer

Semiconductors are manufactured using complex chemical processes. Chemical Engineers can help to develop and optimize these processes. This course can help build an understanding of the semiconductor materials and devices that are involved in these processes.

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Reading list

We've selected 13 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Fundamentals of Semiconductor Characterization.