Lecturer: Rinaldo Castello  

Course name: Electron Devices
Course code: 504438
Degree course: Ingegneria Elettronica
Disciplinary field of science: ING-INF/01
L'insegnamento è caratterizzante per: Ingegneria Elettronica
University credits: ECTS 6
Course website: n.d.

Specific course objectives

The course assumes knowledge of the physical phenomena underlying the operation of various solid state electronic devices. On this basis, it will bring the student to the knowledge of circuit analytical models that describe these devices including those used in most empirical numerical simulators. The emphasis is on equipment that is more widely available than in Bipolar and CMOS technologies integrated

Course programme

The course uses as a knowledge base on which to build models of the devices studied the results of the course Physics of Semiconductors. To create as much continuity as possible the course begins with an overview of the highlights of this course.

pn junction
Unequal distribution of impurities. P-n junction reverse. Pn junction in a direct current voltage characteristic. Charge accumulation and transient analysis. Model of the diode in the various regions of operation.

Bipolar transistor BJT
Effect transistors. Ebers-Moll model and models used by simulators (SPICE). Description of the Integrated BJTs. Effect of Early, high and low levels of injection, Kirk and Webster effects. Charge-control model and transient analysis. Small-signal π-model for small signals.

MOS structure
Capacity-voltage characteristics of MOS structure. Conditions of accumulation and depletion reverse. Flat band voltage and threshold.

MOS Transistor
Current-voltage characteristics of a MOS transistor, linear zone and saturated zone. Models for large and small signals. Second order effects: short and narrow channels and sub-threshold conduction.

JFET Transistor
Current-voltage characteristic

Course entry requirements

Basic knowledge of solid state physics such as quantum mechanics and statistical mechanics

Course structure and teaching

Lectures (hours/year in lecture theatre): 45
Practical class (hours/year in lecture theatre): 0
Practicals / Workshops (hours/year in lecture theatre): 0

Suggested reading materials

Muller. R.S. Kamins T.I. . Device Electronics for Integrated Circuits Second Edition. John Wiley & Sons New York.

Testing and exams

A final oral test.