Essentials of Semiconductor Device Physics

Preface
1 Concepts of Statistical Physics
Introduction
Thermal Equilibrium
Partition function - Part I
Diffusive equilibrium and the chemical potential
The partition function, Part II
Example of application: energy and number of elements of a system
The Fermi-Dirac distribution
Analogy between the systems “box” and “coins”
Concentration of electrons and Fermi level
Transport
Relationship between current and concentration of particles (continuity equation)
Suggestions for further reading
Exercises
2 Semiconductors
Band Theory
Electrons and holes
Concentration of free electrons
Density of states
Concentration of holes and Fermi level
Extrinsic semiconductors (doping)
Exercises
3 Introduction to semiconductor devices: the p-n junction
p-n junction in thermodynamic equilibrium – qualitative description
p-n junction in thermodynamic equilibrium – quantitative description
Systems outside thermodynamic equilibrium: the quasi-Fermi levels.
Qualitative description of the relationship between current and voltage in a p-n junction
The current vs voltage relationship in a p-n junction (Shockley’s equation)
Suggestions for further reading
Exercises
4 Photovoltaic devices (mainly solar cells)
Solar cells and photodetectors
Physical principles
The equivalent circuit
The I x V curve and the fill-factor
Efficiency of solar cells and the theoretical limit
Connections of solar cells
Suggestions for further reading
Exercises
5 Transistors
The Bipolar Junction Transistor (BJT)
Physical principles of the BJT
The beta parameter and the relationship between emitter, collector and base currents
Relationship between IC and VCE and the Early effect
The BJT as an amplifier
The MOSFET
Physical principles
Examples of applications of MOSFETS: logic inverters and logic gates
Suggestions for further reading
Exercises