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Mansun Chan
This online course is the first part of the Principle of Semiconductor Devices Professional Certificate Program.
In this course, we will start with the fundamental concept of semiconductors as a tutorial for doping and the formation of PN junctions. Major and minority carrier currents in PN junctions under forward bias and reverse bias will be explained based on drift and diffusion physics. The course will further explain the operating principle of photodiodes, solar cells, light-emitting diodes (LED) and metal-semiconductor contact.
Read more
This online course is the first part of the Principle of Semiconductor Devices Professional Certificate Program.
In this course, we will start with the fundamental concept of semiconductors as a tutorial for doping and the formation of PN junctions. Major and minority carrier currents in PN junctions under forward bias and reverse bias will be explained based on drift and diffusion physics. The course will further explain the operating principle of photodiodes, solar cells, light-emitting diodes (LED) and metal-semiconductor contact.
Read more
This online course is the first part of the Principle of Semiconductor Devices Professional Certificate Program.
In this course, we will start with the fundamental concept of semiconductors as a tutorial for doping and the formation of PN junctions. Major and minority carrier currents in PN junctions under forward bias and reverse bias will be explained based on drift and diffusion physics. The course will further explain the operating principle of photodiodes, solar cells, light-emitting diodes (LED) and metal-semiconductor contact.
As an extension of PN junction theory, the concept will be extended to form bipolar junction transistors (BJT). The different operation modes of a BJT, including forward active, reverse active, saturation and cutoff under common emitter mode, will be introduced. The gain and amplifying mechanism of a BJT will be explained based on the carrier actions. The detailed behavior of the BJT will be summarized by a circuit model.
Register for this course and see more details by visiting:
OpenCourser.com/course/3as1m7/introduction
What's inside
Learning objectives
- Describe the motion of carriers in a semiconductor material
- Illustrate the operational principles of some common electronic devices including pn junction diode, schottky diode, photo diodes, solar cells, led, and bipolar junction transistor
- Identify the most important parameters to adjust for meeting certain design specifications
- Construct the circuit models of some common electronic devices
- Communication in the language of semiconductor
- Describe the motion of carriers in a semiconductor material
- Illustrate the operational principles of some common electronic devices including pn junction diode, schottky diode, photo diodes, solar cells, led, and bipolar junction transistor
- Identify the most important parameters to adjust for meeting certain design specifications
- Construct the circuit models of some common electronic devices
- Communication in the language of semiconductor
Syllabus
Week 8: Final Exam
Week 1: Intrinsic semiconductor materialsIntroduction to the energy band diagram of a crystal and calculating the carrier concentration in the material.
Read more
Syllabus
Week 8: Final Exam
Week 1: Intrinsic semiconductor materialsIntroduction to the energy band diagram of a crystal and calculating the carrier concentration in the material.
Read more
Week 2: Doping and PN junction formationThe effect of doping and the formation of PN junctions.
Week 3: Current-voltage characteristics of PN junction diodesCurrent-voltage characteristics and detailed carrier actions in a PN junction diode.
Week 4: Real PN junction characteristics, its model and designThe characteristics of real PN junction diodes, the charge and capacitance models, and the design strategy.
Week 5: PN junction optical properties and metal-semiconductor contactsThe optical responses of the PN junction; the working principles of optical detection, solar cells and LEDs; and the metal-semiconductor contacts.
Week 6: Basic operation of Bipolar Junction Transistor Introduction to bipolar junction transistors, I-V characteristic and non-ideal effects.
Week 7: Real Bipolar Junction Transistor structures, switching characteristics and modelSwitching characteristics of the Bipolar Junction Transistor, it circuit model and design strategy.
Good to know
Good to know
Know what's good ,
what to watch for , and
possible dealbreakers
Covers core semiconductor concepts, which is common in academic and industry fields
Provides a solid understanding of the behavior of carriers, which is vital for advanced electronics
Taught by seasoned instructor Mansun Chan
Explores semiconductor device principles and applications, which is significant in many industries
Provides a comprehensive study of semiconductor devices, which is beneficial for a thorough understanding
Covers advanced topics such as BJT and LED, which may require prior knowledge in semiconductor physics
Save this course
Save Introduction to Semiconductors, PN Junctions and Bipolar Junction Transistors to your list so you can find it easily later:
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Reviews summary
Semiconductors, pn junctions, bjt: engaging visuals
Learners say this course provides engaging visuals to help understand complex semiconductor device concepts, starting with simpler ideas and building to more challenging topics. It includes quizzes and concept checks to test understanding, but some learners felt explanations in these assessments could be improved. The instructor is clear and engaging but may rely too heavily on scripts at times.
Instructor is clear and engaging, but could benefit from less reliance on scripts.
"Very well structured course. Prof Mansun Chan is clear and concise in his teaching."
"I found it difficult to complete the quizzes even after I pay attention."
"It is obvious the instructor was reading off scripts the entire time, I dont know why. It shouldnt be this way."
Course starts with simple concepts and gradually introduces more complex topics. Concept checks and quizzes help reinforce understanding, but explanations could be improved.
"Everything started from a easily understood concept to a much complicated one, which makes the digestion much more easier since it gives the opportunity to recall from memory some of the older topics."
"The concept check question and the weekly quiz are perfect to test how much I have really understand and reconsider whether my concepts are correct or not."
"Most of the time there wasn't any explanation to the answers."
"There were fewer explanations that could lead new learners step by step to understand the concepts."
Course uses animations, diagrams, and water table models to help visualize semiconductor device concepts.
"Very helpful animations, making learning the concepts more fun and intuitive!"
"I have just finished the course. I attended similar class before, but I did not understand much due to the abstract equations used. Instead of using the tradition approach to derive everything in the mathematical domain, this class used a lot of drawing and animation that help me to really visualize the details actions inside semiconductor devices."
"Each of the explanations are clear and there's animation to illustrate the message."
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 Introduction to Semiconductors, PN Junctions and Bipolar Junction Transistors with these
activities:
Review Materials from previous Semiconductor Theory Course
Show steps
Review the fundamental concepts of semiconductor theory to establish a solid foundation for this course.
Show steps
-
Revisit the course notes or online resources on energy band diagrams.
-
Review the properties of semiconductor materials including crystal structure, conductivity types, and carrier concentrations.
Learn about Bipolar Junction Transistor (BJT) Operation
Show steps
Explore tutorials or online resources to gain a deeper understanding of BJT operation, including different modes and their applications.
Browse courses on
Bipolar Junction Transistors
Show steps
-
Identify reputable online tutorials or resources on BJT operation.
-
Follow the tutorials, taking notes and actively engaging with the concepts presented.
-
Complete any practice exercises or quizzes provided in the tutorials to test your understanding.
Design a PN Junction Diode Circuit
Show steps
Create a circuit design using a PN junction diode, considering factors such as voltage, current, and desired functionality.
Browse courses on
Circuit Design
Show steps
-
Determine the specific application or function you want the circuit to perform.
-
Research different PN junction diode types and their characteristics.
-
Design a circuit schematic that incorporates the PN junction diode and other necessary components.
-
Analyze the circuit's behavior under forward and reverse bias conditions.
-
Simulate the circuit using software or build a physical prototype to test its functionality.
Three other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all six activities
Review the Textbook 'Semiconductor Devices: Physics and Technology'
Show steps
Reinforce your understanding by reviewing a comprehensive textbook on semiconductor devices, covering fundamental concepts and advanced topics.
Show steps
-
Obtain a copy of the textbook 'Semiconductor Devices: Physics and Technology'.
-
Read and study the relevant chapters aligned with the course curriculum.
-
Take notes, highlight key concepts, and summarize important sections.
-
Complete any practice problems or review questions provided in the book.
Contribute to an Open-Source Semiconductor Project
Show steps
Engage with the semiconductor community by contributing to open-source projects, gaining hands-on experience and applying your knowledge.
Browse courses on
Community Involvement
Show steps
-
Identify open-source semiconductor projects that align with your interests and skill level.
-
Familiarize yourself with the project's codebase, documentation, and contribution guidelines.
-
Propose a contribution or bug fix and submit a pull request.
-
Collaborate with other developers and maintainers to refine your contribution.
-
Monitor the project for updates and future opportunities to contribute.
Attend a Semiconductor Industry Conference or Webinar
Show steps
Expand your knowledge and connect with professionals in the semiconductor industry through conferences or webinars.
Browse courses on
Professional Networking
Show steps
-
Research upcoming industry conferences or webinars related to semiconductors.
-
Register for the event and prepare questions or discussion points.
-
Attend the event, actively participate in sessions, and engage with speakers and attendees.
Review Materials from previous Semiconductor Theory Course
Show steps
Review the fundamental concepts of semiconductor theory to establish a solid foundation for this course.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Revisit the course notes or online resources on energy band diagrams.
- Review the properties of semiconductor materials including crystal structure, conductivity types, and carrier concentrations.
Learn about Bipolar Junction Transistor (BJT) Operation
Show steps
Explore tutorials or online resources to gain a deeper understanding of BJT operation, including different modes and their applications.
Browse courses on
Bipolar Junction Transistors
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify reputable online tutorials or resources on BJT operation.
- Follow the tutorials, taking notes and actively engaging with the concepts presented.
- Complete any practice exercises or quizzes provided in the tutorials to test your understanding.
Design a PN Junction Diode Circuit
Show steps
Create a circuit design using a PN junction diode, considering factors such as voltage, current, and desired functionality.
Browse courses on
Circuit Design
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Determine the specific application or function you want the circuit to perform.
- Research different PN junction diode types and their characteristics.
- Design a circuit schematic that incorporates the PN junction diode and other necessary components.
- Analyze the circuit's behavior under forward and reverse bias conditions.
- Simulate the circuit using software or build a physical prototype to test its functionality.
Three other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all six activities
Review the Textbook 'Semiconductor Devices: Physics and Technology'
Show steps
Reinforce your understanding by reviewing a comprehensive textbook on semiconductor devices, covering fundamental concepts and advanced topics.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Obtain a copy of the textbook 'Semiconductor Devices: Physics and Technology'.
- Read and study the relevant chapters aligned with the course curriculum.
- Take notes, highlight key concepts, and summarize important sections.
- Complete any practice problems or review questions provided in the book.
Contribute to an Open-Source Semiconductor Project
Show steps
Engage with the semiconductor community by contributing to open-source projects, gaining hands-on experience and applying your knowledge.
Browse courses on
Community Involvement
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify open-source semiconductor projects that align with your interests and skill level.
- Familiarize yourself with the project's codebase, documentation, and contribution guidelines.
- Propose a contribution or bug fix and submit a pull request.
- Collaborate with other developers and maintainers to refine your contribution.
- Monitor the project for updates and future opportunities to contribute.
Attend a Semiconductor Industry Conference or Webinar
Show steps
Expand your knowledge and connect with professionals in the semiconductor industry through conferences or webinars.
Browse courses on
Professional Networking
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Research upcoming industry conferences or webinars related to semiconductors.
- Register for the event and prepare questions or discussion points.
- Attend the event, actively participate in sessions, and engage with speakers and attendees.
Career center
Learners who complete Introduction to Semiconductors, PN Junctions and Bipolar Junction Transistors will develop knowledge and skills
that may be useful to these careers:
Semiconductor Device Physicist
Semiconductor Device Physicist
Semiconductor Device Physicists research and develop new semiconductor devices, such as transistors, lasers, and solar cells. This course in semiconductor fundamentals, PN junctions, and bipolar junction transistors is foundational to conducting research in this field.
Semiconductor Process Engineer
Semiconductor Process Engineer
Semiconductor Process Engineers create and optimize the fabrication processes used in manufacturing semiconductor devices, including solar cells, computer chips, and LEDs. This course will give you the necessary knowledge of bipolar junction transistors and the semiconductor materials they are made from, which are essential to working as a Semiconductor Process Engineer.
Electronic Design Engineer
Electronic Design Engineer
Electronic Design Engineers design, develop, test, and maintain electronic systems and components. The knowledge of semiconductor materials and bipolar junction transistors taught in this course will be essential foundational knowledge for an Electronic Design Engineer.
Characterization Engineer
Characterization Engineer
Characterization Engineers develop and perform tests to characterize the electrical and physical properties of semiconductor materials, devices, and processes. This course in semiconductor fundamentals, PN junctions, and bipolar junction transistors will provide you with the essential knowledge needed to work as a Characterization Engineer.
Electronic Test Engineer
Electronic Test Engineer
Electronic Test Engineers design and perform tests of semiconductor materials, devices, and circuits to ensure that they meet specifications. This course will provide you with a good foundation in the operation and characteristics of semiconductor devices and diodes, which Electronic Test Engineers work with regularly.
Materials Scientist
Materials Scientist
Materials Scientists study the chemical, physical, and other properties of materials, and design new materials that meet specific needs. They have strong knowledge of the physics of semiconductors. This course can build upon your physics foundation and provide you with key foundational knowledge of semiconductor materials, and the various devices that can be made from them. The course's coverage of energy band diagrams of crystals, carrier concentration, and doping are foundational knowledge for a Materials Scientist who designs and works with semiconductor materials.
Process Development Engineer
Process Development Engineer
Process Development Engineers develop and improve the processes used to manufacture semiconductor devices. This course in semiconductor materials and devices will help you build a strong foundation for working as a Process Development Engineer.
Solar Cell Engineer
Solar Cell Engineer
Solar Cell Engineers design, develop, and test solar cells and solar arrays. As this course covers the optical properties of PN junctions and the working principles of solar cells, taking it will provide you with the knowledge needed to work as a Solar Cell Engineer.
Semiconductor Manufacturing Engineer
Semiconductor Manufacturing Engineer
Semiconductor Manufacturing Engineers oversee the production of semiconductor devices, such as transistors, lasers, and solar cells. This course covers the semiconductor materials and devices that these Manufacturing Engineers work with every day.
LED Engineer
LED Engineer
LED Engineers design, develop, and test light-emitting diodes (LEDs). This course includes a section on the working principles of LEDs, which will be useful knowledge for an LED Engineer.
Reliability Engineer
Reliability Engineer
Reliability Engineers ensure that semiconductor devices, such as transistors, lasers, and solar cells, meet reliability specifications. This course will build upon your general knowledge of semiconductor physics and materials, which is necessary for working as a Reliability Engineer.
Quality Control Engineer
Quality Control Engineer
Quality Control Engineers ensure that semiconductor devices, such as transistors, lasers, and solar cells, meet quality standards. This course will help you build a strong knowledge of semiconductor fundamentals, which is required for this role.
Failure Analysis Engineer
Failure Analysis Engineer
Failure Analysis Engineers investigate the causes of failures in semiconductor devices, such as transistors, lasers, and solar cells. The knowledge of the physics of semiconductor devices and materials taught in this course will be useful for this role.
Applications Engineer
Applications Engineer
Applications Engineers provide technical support to customers using semiconductor devices, such as transistors, lasers, and solar cells. This course may be useful for an Applications Engineer, as it covers the fundamentals of these devices.
Technical Sales Engineer
Technical Sales Engineer
Technical Sales Engineers sell semiconductor devices, such as transistors, lasers, and solar cells, to customers. This course may be useful for a Technical Sales Engineer, as it covers the fundamentals of these devices.
For more career information including salaries, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/3as1m7/introduction
Reading list
We've selected 12 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
Introduction to Semiconductors, PN Junctions and Bipolar Junction Transistors.
Is written for engineers who need to know the fundamentals of semiconductor devices and the semiconductor technology used to fabricate them. It assumes a background in solid-state physics and provides a comprehensive overview of the subject.
Reference book on semiconductor material and device characterization. It covers a wide range of techniques for characterizing semiconductor materials and devices, including electrical, optical, and thermal characterization techniques.
Textbook on microelectronics. It covers the basic concepts of semiconductor physics, including band structure, doping, and carrier transport. It also covers the operation of a wide variety of microelectronic devices, including diodes, transistors, and integrated circuits.
Comprehensive textbook on semiconductor physics and devices. It covers the basic concepts of semiconductor physics, including band structure, doping, and carrier transport. It also covers the operation of a wide variety of semiconductor devices, including diodes, transistors, and integrated circuits.
Textbook on the physics and operation of solid-state electronic devices. It covers the basics of semiconductor physics, including energy bands, doping, and carrier transport. It also covers the operation of a wide variety of solid-state devices, including diodes, transistors, and integrated circuits.
Is an introduction to solid-state electronics, written for students and engineers. It covers the basic concepts of semiconductor physics, as well as the operation of a wide variety of solid-state devices.
Textbook on the basic principles of semiconductor physics and devices. It covers the basic concepts of semiconductor physics, including band structure, doping, and carrier transport. It also covers the operation of a wide variety of semiconductor devices, including diodes, transistors, and integrated circuits.
Classic textbook on electronics. It covers a wide range of topics, including semiconductor devices, amplifiers, oscillators, and digital circuits. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about electronics.
Textbook on the fundamentals of semiconductor devices. It covers the basic concepts of semiconductor physics, including band structure, doping, and carrier transport. It also covers the operation of a wide variety of semiconductor devices, including diodes, transistors, and integrated circuits.
Textbook on the physics of photonic devices. It covers the basic concepts of semiconductor physics, as well as the operation of a wide variety of photonic devices, including lasers, LEDs, and solar cells.
Textbook on electronic devices and circuit theory. It covers the basic concepts of semiconductor physics, including band structure, doping, and carrier transport. It also covers the operation of a wide variety of electronic devices, including diodes, transistors, and integrated circuits.
Save
History of transistors. It covers the development of transistors from their early beginnings to their modern uses in a wide variety of electronic devices.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/3as1m7/introduction
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Effort
2 to 4 hours per week for 8 weeks
Level
Intermediate
Via
edX
Institution
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Instructor
Mansun Chan
Language
English
Transcripts
English
中文
Good to know
Covers core semiconductor concepts, which is common in academic and industry fields
Provides a solid understanding of the behavior of carriers, which is vital for advanced electronics
Taught by seasoned instructor Mansun Chan
Explores semiconductor device principles and applications, which is significant in many industries
Provides a comprehensive study of semiconductor devices, which is beneficial for a thorough understanding
Covers advanced topics such as BJT and LED, which may require prior knowledge in semiconductor physics
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