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Fundamentals of Semiconductor Characterization

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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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Fundamentals of Semiconductor Characterization with these activities:

Review Semiconductor Physics

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Get up to speed on semiconductor physics to gain a solid foundation for the course materials.

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Review the basic principles of semiconductor physics, including bandgaps, carrier concentrations, and doping.
Solve practice problems related to semiconductor physics.

Review Textbook

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Review textbook materials corresponding to the course topics to build foundational knowledge and understanding.

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Read assigned textbook chapters
Take notes on key concepts
Complete end of chapter exercises

Watch Online Tutorials

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Watch online tutorials and videos to supplement course materials and gain additional insights into concepts.

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Search for reputable online tutorials
Watch tutorials and take notes
Apply concepts learned to practice problems

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Explore P-N Junction Diodes

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Gain a deeper understanding of P-N junction diodes through guided tutorials.

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Find tutorials on P-N junction diodes and their characteristics.
Follow the tutorials and take notes on important concepts.
Complete practice exercises to test your understanding.

Join a Study Group

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Join a study group with peers to discuss concepts, solve problems, and support each other's learning.

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Find a study group or form one with classmates
Meet regularly to review material
Work together on practice problems
Share notes and resources

Create a Study Guide

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Create a comprehensive study guide that summarizes key concepts and provides additional examples to enhance retention and understanding.

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Identify key concepts and topics
Summarize key points in your own words
Include diagrams, examples, and practice questions
Review and refine the study guide regularly

Practice MOS Capacitor Problems

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Sharpen your problem-solving skills by practicing MOS capacitor problems.

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Find practice problems on MOS capacitors.
Solve the problems and check your answers against solutions.
Identify areas where you need more practice.

Mentor Junior Students

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Provide guidance and support to junior students taking introductory courses in semiconductor materials and devices to foster their understanding and interest.

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Identify opportunities to mentor junior students
Meet with students regularly to discuss concepts and answer questions
Provide feedback on assignments and projects
Share your own experiences and insights

Attend a Semiconductor Workshop

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Attend a workshop or seminar focused on semiconductor materials and devices to gain hands-on experience and interact with industry experts.

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Research and identify relevant workshops
Register and attend the workshop
Participate actively in discussions and hands-on activities
Follow up with instructors or attendees for further learning

Volunteer in a Semiconductor Lab

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Volunteer in a semiconductor research lab or industry setting to gain practical experience and contribute to ongoing research projects.

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Identify semiconductor labs or companies offering volunteer opportunities
Apply for a volunteer position
Commit to a regular volunteering schedule
Assist with research projects or lab tasks

Design a CMOS Circuit

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Apply your knowledge by designing a simple CMOS circuit, reinforcing the concepts covered in the course.

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Choose a simple CMOS circuit to design.
Research and understand the design principles.
Create a schematic and layout for your design.
Simulate your design to verify its functionality.

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Semiconductor Engineer

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Semiconductor Device Physicist

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Materials Scientist

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Semiconductor Sales Engineer

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Solar Cell Engineer

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Semiconductor Manufacturing Engineer

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Microelectronics Engineer

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Materials Engineer

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Semiconductor Process Engineer

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Integrated Circuit Designer

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Nanotechnology Engineer

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Electronics Engineer

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Electrical Engineer

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Mechanical Engineer

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chemical Engineer

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.