Spring 2022 Canvas

ECE 441: PHYSICS AND MODELING OF SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES

Course Overview: This course focuses on the derivation of models for the terminal currents of the semiconductor devices used in integrated circuits: diode, bipolar junction transistor and MOSFET. Our objective will be to represent the device's steady-state response; however, we will also discuss how to extend the models to the transient case. Throughout the semester, we will study semiconductor physics, focusing on topics such as drift and diffusion, generation and recombination, and avalanche multiplication. In the latter part of the semester, we will explore the motivations behind recent modifications to the basic transistor structures, such as the adoption of high-k gate dielectrics for MOSFETs.

Course Expectations and Outcome: I expect students to do the reading before and after class and monitor all email and online communication related to this class. Ultimately, I want the student to enjoy this course and find it relevant in their career goals. Technical outcomes of this course are:

Understand different types of passive and active semiconductor devices

Appreciate how physics emerges due to unique materials and device architectures

Be familiar with device scaling challenges

Be introduced to new device materials and device approaches as well as other transistors

Have the confidence to go "one-on-one" with device engineers and researchers

Section

Time

Room

Instructor

Office Hours

Course Logistics

All

MWF

10:00-10:50 AM

ECE 3081

Week-1 classes will be held online via zoom

Shaloo Rakheja

rakheja@illinois.edu

Wednesday

1:00-2:00 PM

(email to meet outside the scheduled hour)

Check Canvas

Zoom link for Week-1

https://illinois.zoom.us/j/87042957193?pwd=bkZndWxaV3dXV2VhbTkwMGlnM1pyUT09

Meeting ID: 870 4295 7193
Password: 909785

I occasionally need to shift my office hours to accommodate prelim exams, research obligations, firm meetings, etc., so always check the class webpage before coming to office hour on any given day. Any changes to my office hours will be listed under "Announcements" on Canvas. Please drop me an email if you want to meet me outside of office hours.

Teaching Assistants: Yicong Dong (E-mail: yicongd2@illinois.edu) – Office Hours: 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM on Zoom (will change to in-person if number of COVID-19 cases decreases), every Friday.

Course Outline and Logistics: Check Canvas

Course Material: Lecture notes and slides are based on the material from textbook: Device Electronics for Integrated Circuits, 3rd ed. John Wiley & Sons. Authors: Richard S. Muller and Theodore I. Kamins. However, I will be posting extra reading materials, journal articles, discussion pages on as-needed basis. It is the student's responsibility to go through all the posted materials and ask questions if in doubt. There will be some material that is more advanced and posted only for those interested. You will not be quizzed on it, but feel free to come to office hours to discuss advanced material and research ideas based on it. Lectures will be delivered using a mix of hand written notes and powerpoint slides.

Homework: Will be assigned on Canvas

Homework will ALWAYS be collected electronically by 11:59 PM on the specified due dates for each assignment (nominally on Sundays, but may vary from time to time). For electronic submissions, you may typeset your HW and convert it into PDF and upload on Canvas. You can also hand write your solutions and scan your HW pages using a suitable scanner on your smart phones --- see suggestions for Android platform scanners or using the Notes app as a scanner on an iPhone --- or else generate pdf's directly if you solve your HW on a tablet.
Late homework will get zero credit (except when special permission is granted by your instructor before the due date). Each HW may have different total points and different number of problems. Please follow the instructions carefully on the cover page of each HW. Failure to adhere to any of the rules specified on the cover page of the HW will result in point deduction. All HWs will be counted toward the final grade.
Some of the HW assignments will include you to solve problems numerically using Python or MATLAB or any other programming language. However, if you have difficulty with the software portion of the HW, please inform the TA in a timely manner. Toward the second half of the course, we will also use online simulation tools on nanoHUB.

Exams: Two midsemester exams and one final exam. Tentative exam dates are: Exam-1 on Feb. 28, 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Exam-2 on Mar. 30, 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Exam logistics and updates will be posted here and on Canvas. Additional announcements will also be made in class.

Grading Policy:

Attendance	5% of total
Homework	23% of total
Midsemester Exams	42% of total (21% each midterm exam)
Final Exam (comprehensive)	30% of total

I encourage active participation in class. Please ask questions and doubts as often as necessary.