COURSE TITLE: ECE 223 Fundamentals of Solid State Engineering

CATALOG DESCRIPTION: Introduction to Solid State Engineering. Crystalline state of matter. Quantum phenomena, quantum mechanics. Electrons in atoms, atoms in crystals, electrons in crystals. Energy band structures. Semiconductors. Thermal properties of crystals.

REQUIRED TEXTS: M. Razeghi, Fundamentals of Solid State Engineering, Kluwer Academic Publishers, 2002.

COURSE COORDINATOR: Manijeh Razeghi

COURSE GOALS: This course gives an overview of the basic multidisciplinary aspects of Physical Science. In the area of Solid State Physics in particular, it aims at teaching all the fundamental scientific concepts essential to Solid State Engineering and preparing the students for the Bachelor of Science so that they are capable of taking more advanced courses in this field. The students are led from the understanding of electrons in an atom, atoms in a crystal, and crystal group theory, to that of quantum mechanics for the design of electronic and optoelectronic devices.

PREREQUISITES: Physics 135-3 and Math 215.

DETAILED COURSE TOPICS:

WEEK 1: Crystalline properties of solids: structure of crystals, Bravais lattice, crystal systems, unit cell, symmetry properties, point groups, space groups, Miller indices, packing factor.

WEEK 2: Electronic structure of atoms: hydrogen atom, Bohr radius, limits of classical mechanics, introduction to wave mechanics, ionic bonds, covalent bonds, mixed bonds, metallic bonds, secondary bonds, introduction to energy bands, conduction band, valence band.

WEEK 3: Introduction to quantum mechanics: limits of classical mechanics, basic concepts of quantum mechanics, quantization of electromagnetic field, photon, wave-particle duality, wave function, probability of presence, Schrödinger equation, quantization of energy levels and momenta, tunneling, infinite potential well, finite potential well.

WEEK 4: Electrons and energy band structures in crystals (1/2): Bloch theorem, Kronig-Penney model, energy bands, nearly-free electron approximation, tight binding approximation.

WEEK 5: Electrons and energy band structures in crystals (2/2): Heisenberg uncertainty principle, Fermi energy, Fermi distribution, holes, first Brillouin zone, band structures in metals.

WEEK 6: Low dimensional quantum structures: density of states, two-dimensional structures or quantum wells, one-dimensional structures or quantum wires, zero-dimensional structures or quantum dots, absorption coefficient, excitonic effects.

WEEK 7: Semiconductor device laboratory demonstration: semiconductor growth technology, device processing technology and device measurement techniques.

WEEK 8: Phonons in crystals: vibration of atoms in a crystal, one-dimensional monoatomic and diatomic lattice models, dispersion relation, traveling wave, phonon, acoustic and optical phonons, longitudinal and transversal phonons, Bose-Einstein statistics, sound velocity.

WEEK 9: Thermal properties of crystals: Debye model, phonon density of states, heat capacity, Debye temperature, thermal expansion coefficient, thermal conductivity, phonon mean free path, lattice contribution, electronic contribution.

WEEK 10: Project presentations.

COMPUTER USAGE: None.

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS: Homework is assigned weekly to reinforce concepts learned in class.

LABORATORY PROJECTS: Eight laboratory sessions are scheduled to give practical understanding. A project will be assigned to each student or group of students to excite their curiosity about Solid State Engineering.

GRADES:

Participation in class - 10%

Homework - 15%

Lab reports - 15%

Projects and presentations - 20%

Midterm - 20%

Final - 20%

COURSE OBJECTIVES: When a student completes this course, s/he should be able to understand or be familiar with:

1. The nature of matter that they are surrounded by.

2. The structure of matter in its crystalline state.

3. The elements that compose a crystal, i.e. electrons and atoms.

4. The basic concepts in group theory, and quantum mechanics which govern the properties of electrons and atoms in a crystal.

5. The concept of black body radiation.

6. The formation of band structures in semiconductors, the difference between insulators, semiconductors, semimetals, and metals.

7. The concept of photon, phonon, light, sound, and exciton.

8. Low dimensional quantum structures, including quantum wells, quantum wires and quantum dots.

9. The observable macroscopic thermal and electrical characteristics of matter in their crystalline shape.

ABET: 90 % Science, 10 % Engineering