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Arizona State University
Fundamentals of Semiconductor Characterization
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  1. Browse
  2. Physical Science and Engineering
  3. Mechanical Engineering
Arizona State University

Fundamentals of Semiconductor Characterization

This course is part of Semiconductor Characterization Specialization

Trevor Thornton

Instructor: Trevor Thornton

2,931 already enrolled

Included with Coursera Plus

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4 modules
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.9

(41 reviews)

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

Recommended experience

Intermediate level

To excel in this specialization, you should be familiar with college level introductory chemistry, physics, algebra and statistics for data analysis.

5 hours to complete
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

4 modules
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.9

(41 reviews)

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

Recommended experience

Intermediate level

To excel in this specialization, you should be familiar with college level introductory chemistry, physics, algebra and statistics for data analysis.

5 hours to complete
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
  • About
  • Outcomes
  • Modules
  • Recommendations
  • Testimonials
  • Reviews

What you'll learn

  • Review energy band diagrams of metals, semiconductors, and insulators.

  • Explain the relationship between conductivity, carrier concentration, and mobility.

  • Distinguish between direct and indirect bandgap semiconductors.

Skills you'll gain

  • Estimation
  • Semiconductors
  • Electronic Components
  • Engineering Calculations
  • Electronic Systems
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Electronics

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

3 assignments

Taught in English

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Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is part of the Semiconductor Characterization Specialization
When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
  • Learn new concepts from industry experts
  • Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
  • Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
  • Earn a shareable career certificate

There are 4 modules in this course

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.

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.

What's included

3 videos2 readings

3 videos•Total 6 minutes
  • Semiconductor Characterization Specialization Overview•2 minutes•Preview module
  • Welcome to Semiconductor Characterization•1 minute
  • Introduction to This Course•3 minutes
2 readings•Total 8 minutes
  • Instructor Bio•3 minutes
  • Course Tips and Video Information•5 minutes

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.

What's included

4 videos1 reading1 assignment

4 videos•Total 44 minutes
  • 1.1.1: Energy Bands•12 minutes•Preview module
  • 1.1.2: Carrier Statistics•17 minutes
  • 1.1.3: Drift Velocity and Mobility•5 minutes
  • 1.1.4: Optical Properties•8 minutes
1 reading•Total 60 minutes
  • Suggested Reading: Foundations of Semiconductors (optional)•60 minutes
1 assignment•Total 10 minutes
  • Check Your Knowledge (CYK)•10 minutes

This week, you will learn about the band diagrams and current voltage characteristics of p-n junction diodes.

What's included

2 videos1 reading1 assignment

2 videos•Total 15 minutes
  • 1.2.1: P-N Junction Diodes•10 minutes•Preview module
  • 1.2.2: Diode I-V Characteristics•4 minutes
1 reading•Total 60 minutes
  • Suggested Reading: More Information on P-N Junctions (optional)•60 minutes
1 assignment•Total 10 minutes
  • Check Your Knowledge (CYK) •10 minutes

This week, you will learn about metal-oxide semiconductor (MOS) capacitors and oxide charges.

What's included

5 videos1 reading1 assignment

5 videos•Total 34 minutes
  • 1.3.1: MOS Capacitors•4 minutes•Preview module
  • 1.3.2: Oxide Charges•16 minutes
  • 1.3.3: Flat-Band Voltage•3 minutes
  • 1.3.4: Flat-Band Capacitance•8 minutes
  • Video: Course Wrap-up•0 minutes
1 reading•Total 60 minutes
  • Suggested Reading: More Information on Metal-oxide Semiconductors (optional)•60 minutes
1 assignment•Total 10 minutes
  • Check Your Knowledge (CYK)•10 minutes

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Instructor

Instructor ratings

Instructor ratings

We asked all learners to give feedback on our instructors based on the quality of their teaching style.

5.0 (13 ratings)
Trevor Thornton
Trevor Thornton
Arizona State University
5 Courses•4,574 learners

Offered by

Arizona State University

Offered by

Arizona State University

Arizona State University has developed a new model for the American Research University, creating an institution that is committed to excellence, access and impact. ASU measures itself by those it includes, not by those it excludes. ASU pursues research that contributes to the public good, and ASU assumes major responsibility for the economic, social and cultural vitality of the communities that surround it.

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4.9

41 reviews

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M
MN
5

Reviewed on Aug 20, 2024

The course is great and Dr. Thornton brough out good way of teaching the information. I'm exciting to look for the rest of the characterization courses in this series!

K
KR
5

Reviewed on Aug 15, 2024

The professor is very good at explaining concepts clearly and the supporting materials is very useful.

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Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:

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