Nanyang Technological University
Division of Physics and Applied Physics
Academic Year 2022/23 Semester 2
Course Coordinator Professor WANG Xiao Renshaw
Course Code PH4601
Course Title Physics of Semiconductor and Devices
Pre-requisites PH3102 Condensed Matter Physics I
No of AUs 4 AU
Contact Hours Lectures: 39, Tutorials and Lab Demonstration: 12
Proposal Date 27 September 2022
Course Aims
This course aims to provide comprehensive introduction to student on the physics of semiconductor
and devices. It covers essential topics including principles and design, in order to provide foundation
knowledge of the functionality and applications of the devices. You will be taught to design experiment
that uses these devices, and linking theory and practice so that concept learned in the course can be
implemented. Widely used semiconductor devices, be it logic, such as diode and transistor, or
memory, such as, SRAM, DRAM, NAND Flash, will be explained in detail. It is also the aim of this
course to familiarise student with the common semiconductor devices in advanced manufacturing
industry so that the student can have relevant background before embarking their engineering
career in semiconductor industry.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILO)
Upon successful completion of this course, you should be able to:
1. explain the fundamentals of semiconductor physics
2. use extrinsic semiconductor concepts to analyse carrier concentrations in semiconductor
device.
3. explain the carrier transport phenomena in semiconductor, such as Hall effect, and apply the
relevant concept in experimental measurement to calculate the transport properties, such as,
carrier type and concentration, mobility, conductivity and total current density in
semiconductor device.
4. unpack the concepts of generation and recombination of excess carriers in non-equilibrium
state of semiconductor, and apply the concept of ambipolar transport model to determine the
excess carrier dynamics behaviour when device is under external stimuli.
5. decipher the working principles of pn junction diode, and use the concept to design device
current-voltage characteristics.
6. decipher the working principles of metal-semiconductor-oxide field effect transistor (MOSFET),
and use the concept to design device current-voltage characteristics.
7. describe and explain the engineering approach in making transistor advancement, such as
FinFET.
8. explain the concepts of semiconductor memory devices, such as SRAM, DRAM and NAND Flash.
9. explain the concepts of metal-semiconductor device, such as Schottky device, and use the
concept to design device current-voltage characteristics.
10. explain the concepts of bipolar transistor.
11. explain the concepts of microwave semiconductor devices, such as MESFET, HEMT and
resonant tunnel device.
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Nanyang Technological University
Division of Physics and Applied Physics
Course Content
Lecture 1: Introduction to Semiconductors
Lecture 2: Carrier Transport Phenomena in Semiconductors
Lecture 3: Non-Equilibrium Excess Carriers in Semiconductors
Lecture 4: The pn Junction Diodes
Lecture 5: The Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistors
Lecture 6: Bipolar transistor
Lecture 7: Other Semiconductor Devices
Lecture 8: Memory device
Lecture 9: Microwave semiconductor devices
Assessment (includes both continuous and summative assessment)
Component Course LO Related Weighting Team / Assessment
Tested Programme LO Individual Rubrics
or Graduate
Attributes
Point-based
1. Final Competency
All 60% Individual marking (not
Examination (1,3,4,5,6)
rubric-based)
Communication
(1,2,3)
2. CA1: Rubric
Creativity (1,2)
Assignment marking –
All Character 20% Individual
Report and Appendices 1
(1,2,3)
Presentation and 2
Competency
(2,6)
Point-based
3. CA2: Midterm Lectures Competency
10% Individual marking (not
Test 1 1-5 (1,3,4,5)
rubric-based)
Point-based
4. CA3: Midterm Lectures Competency
10% Individual marking (not
Test 2 5-9 (1,3,4,5,6,7,8,9)
rubric-based)
Total 100%
Formative feedback
You will receive formative feedback through discussion within tutorial lessons.
You will receive both written and/or oral feedback on your report and presentation.
Feedback is also given after each term test on the common mistakes and level of difficulty of the
problems. Past exam questions and content of previous examiner’s report will be discussed in
lecture.
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Nanyang Technological University
Division of Physics and Applied Physics
Learning and Teaching approach
Approach How does this approach support students in achieving the learning
outcomes?
Lectures In the lecture, you will be first motivated with the relevant technology and
processing techniques of electronic devices, followed by lectures that
further explains the working principles and physics. Wrap up questions
will also be provided.
Tutorials Discussion on tutorial questions will help to improve the understanding
of the main concepts learned in lectures.
Reading and References
1. Semiconductor Physics and Devices: Basic Principles, 4th edition, Donald A. Neamen, McGraw-Hill,
978-0073529585, 2011.
2. Physics of Semiconductor Devices, 3rd edition, Simon M. Sze and Kwok K. Ng, Wiley-Interscience,
978-0471143239, 2007.
3. Fundamentals of Semiconductor Devices, Betty L. Anderson and Richard L. Anderson, McGraw-
Hill College, 978-0072369779, 2004.
4. Modern Semiconductor Devices for Integrated Circuits, Chenming Calvin Hu, 978-0137006687,
2009.
Course Policies and Student Responsibilities
Absence Due to Medical or Other Reasons
If you are sick and unable to attend your class (particularly the mid-terms), you must:
1. Send an email to the instructor regarding the absence.
2. Submit the Medical Certificate* to administrator.
* The medical certificate mentioned above should be issued in Singapore by a medical practitioner
registered with the Singapore Medical Association.
Academic Integrity
Good academic work depends on honesty and ethical behaviour. The quality of your work as a
student relies on adhering to the principles of academic integrity and to the NTU Honour Code, a
set of values shared by the whole university community. Truth, Trust and Justice are at the core of
NTU’s shared values.
As a student, it is important that you recognize your responsibilities in understanding and applying
the principles of academic integrity in all the work you do at NTU. Not knowing what is involved in
maintaining academic integrity does not excuse academic dishonesty. You need to actively equip
yourself with strategies to avoid all forms of academic dishonesty, including plagiarism, academic
fraud, collusion and cheating. If you are uncertain of the definitions of any of these terms, you
should go to the academic integrity website for more information. Consult your instructor(s) if you
need any clarification about the requirements of academic integrity in the course.
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Nanyang Technological University
Division of Physics and Applied Physics
Course Instructors
Instructor Office Location Phone Email
WANG Xiao, Renshaw SPMS-PAP-05-02 65137418 renshaw@ntu.edu.sg
Planned Weekly Schedule
Topics Course
Week Readings/ Activities
(refer to the above listed lectures) ILO
1 Course Introduction and Lecture 1 1-2 Lecture note 1
2 Lecture 1 1-2 Lecture note 1
3 Lecture 2 3 Lecture note 2
4 Lecture 3 4 Lecture note 3
5 Lectures 3 and 4 3-4 Lecture notes 3 and 4
6 Lectures 4 and 5 5-6 Lecture notes 4 and 5
7 Lectures 5 and midterm test 1 7 Lecture note 5
8 Lecture 5 and 6 8-9 Lecture notes 5 and 6
9 Lecture 6 8-9 Lecture note 6
10 Lecture 7 9 Lecture note 7
11 Lecture 8 10 Lecture note 8
12 Lectures 9 and midterm test 2 11 Lecture note 9
13 Lecture 9 and assignment presentation 11 Lecture note 9
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Nanyang Technological University
Division of Physics and Applied Physics
Appendix 1: Assessment Rubrics for Assignment Report
Assessment
Criteria
Score
Description Poor Adequate Good Excellent
(0) (1) (2) (3)
REPORT STRUCTURE &
ORGANISATION
Consider the layout of the report - a clear
Report is Report is Report is Report is
and concise abstract followed by logical poorly adequately well excellently Max 3
sequences on the written chapters, and organised organised organised organised
good finishing in conclusion and suggestion
of prospective development in the topic
surveyed.
QUALITY OF REPORT CONTENT
Consider the level of work presented in the Quality of Quality of work Good
Excellent
report, particularly the quality of the work presented is quality of
presented is marginally work
quality of work Max 3
technical content in the abstract and written presented
chapters. Write-up is in good English with poor acceptable presented
minimal grammatical errors and spellings.
INFORMATION GATHERING & Good
Only minimal
LITERATURE REVIEW effort of Excellent
Poor effort of
Consider the degree of preparation on the informatio information
information information
n gathering is Max 3
information gathering related to the work. gathering gathering is
Literature review with extensive use of gathering presented
shown
is shown
relevant references.
RESULTS & DISCUSSIONS Good
Consider if interpretation and discussion of discussion Excellent
Only minimal
results are put into context, main points Poor or no and in- discussion and
discussion
discussion is
depth new ideas is Max 3
picked for discussion, understanding of presented
underlying assumptions and limitation while analysis in presented
being rationale to various approaches. presented
Max
Total
12
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Nanyang Technological University
Division of Physics and Applied Physics
Appendix 2: Assessment Rubrics for Assignment Presentation
Assessment
Criteria
Score
Description Poor Adequate Good Excellent
(0) (1) (2) (3)
FUNDAMENTAL UNDERSTANDING Demonstrate
Demonstrate
Consider the student’s ability to explain the Fails to Able to excellent
good
demonstrate demonstrate understanding
technical knowledge learnt, specifically from understanding
the relevant the relevant
of the
and strong Max 3
physics viewpoint. Also consider the technical technical command of
coherence between the presentation and technical
understanding. understanding. the technical
the contents of the report submitted. knowledge
knowledge
PRESENTATION, ORGANISATION Ideas were
Ideas were Ideas were Exceptional
vaguely
AND MATERIALS poorly presented presentation
presented and
Consider the degree of preparation of the presented and clearly and skills with
visuals were Max 3
presentation materials – informative, and visuals were
marginally
visuals were highly
appropriateness on the topics discussed; not helpful to helpful to informative
helpful to
audience. audience. materials.
consider the clarity and context of the slides. audience.
CLARITY, LANGUAGE USE AND Communicate
Able to
ACCURACY Poor verbal Communicate s in a highly
communicate
Consider the student’s ability to give a clear and
ideas and
s and explains convincing
Max 3
and concise presentation – appropriate communicatio
relates to
ideas clearly and
choice of words, understandable, minimal n skills and concisely. persuasive
others.
manner.
stoppage, proper pace and good timing.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Confidently
Unable to Limited respond to all
Consider the student’s ability to explain Able to answer
answer any capability in queries raised
his/her work in the Q&A session – able to questions answering
most queries
and able to Max 3
provide unambiguous and logical answers raised.
asked. questions provide new
confidently. ideas
Max
Total
12
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Nanyang Technological University
Division of Physics and Applied Physics
Graduate Attributes
What we want our graduates from Physics and Applied Physics to be able to do:
Upon the successful completion of the PHY, APHY, PHME, PHMP and PHMS programs,
graduates should be able to:
demonstrate a rigorous understanding of the core theories
and principles of physics involving (but not limited to) areas
such as classical mechanics, electromagnetism, thermal
physics and quantum mechanics
1
[PHMS only] demonstrate a rigorous understanding of the
core theories and principles of mathematical sciences
involving (but not limited to) areas such as analysis, algebra
and statistical analysis
read and understand undergraduate level physics content
2
independently;
make educated guesses / estimations of physical quantities in
3
general;
Competency
apply fundamental physics knowledge, logical reasoning,
4 mathematical and computational skills to analyse, model and
solve problems;
develop theoretical descriptions of physical phenomena with
5 an understanding of the underlying assumptions and
limitations;
critically evaluate and distinguish sources of scientific/non-
6 scientific information and to recommend appropriate decisions
and choices when needed;
demonstrate the ability to design and conduct experiments in
7 a Physics laboratory, to make measurements, analyse and
interpret data to draw valid conclusions.
propose valid approaches to tackle open-ended problems in
1
unexplored domains;
Creativity
offer valid alternative perspectives/approaches to a given
2
situation or problem.
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Nanyang Technological University
Division of Physics and Applied Physics
describe physical phenomena with scientifically sound
1
principles;
communicate (in writing and speaking) scientific and non-
Communication 2 scientific ideas effectively to professional scientists and to the
general public;
communicate effectively with team members when working in
3
a group.
uphold absolute integrity when conducting scientific
1
experiments, reporting and using the scientific results;
readily pick up new skills, particularly technology related
Character 2
ones, to tackle new problems;
contribute as a valued team member when working in a
3
group.
put together the skills and knowledge into their work in an
Civic Mindedness 1 effective, responsible and ethical manner for the benefits of
society.
