The aim of this module is to provide an introduction to the structure and operation of solid state, or semiconductor, devices used in electronic circuits. The module will initially introduce semiconductor technology (semiconductor material properties, holes and electrons) and then the types of electronic devices that are commonly used in electronic circuits (diodes, transistors, thyristors, triacs, and integrated circuits). Qualitative descriptions of the types of electronic circuits and their applications for the devices introduced will be provided.

The module will commence with an introduction to semiconductor materials (electrical properties, holes and electrons, band gap, Fermi-Dirac distribution) followed by the behaviour of the metal-semiconductor contact (rectifying and ohmic) and the rectifying pn junction. The metal-semiconductor (Schottky) and pn junction (silicon, germanium, Zener) diodes will then be introduced along with how semiconductor materials interact with light (light emitting diode (LED), photodiode, and phototransistor) and magnetic fields (Hall effect). The bipolar junction transistor (BJT), junction field effect transistor (JFET) and metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) will then be introduced, along with power devices (thyristor and triac) and the integrated circuit (IC). In the laboratories, experiments will be undertaken to determine the operation of the Schottky diode, silicon diode, Zener diode, and BJT through laboratory experiments that will include analysis of experiment results using MATLAB. SEMICONDUCTOR MATERIALS: free electron theory; simple band theory: insulators, semiconductors, conductors, superconductors, doping; carrier density; conductivity Intrinsic and extrinsic semiconductors. Carrier densities and Fermi level position, mobility, transport properties. Diffusion current, thermal equilibrium, diffusion constant and lifetime. SOLID STATE DEVICES: pn junction, space region and junction capacitance, switching response and recovery time, junction breakdown. General overview of MOS and bipolar technologies. DIODES: Schottky diode. Simple semiconductor diode characteristics, exponential law, leakage, breakdown voltage. Zener diode. Applications of diodes in everyday electronic circuits and systems. Qualitative overview of the use of diodes in electronic circuits. FIELD EFFECT TRANSISTOR (FET), junction field effect transistor (JFET): metal oxide semiconductor FET (MOSFET): current control characteristics, operating regions. MOS capacitor, enhancement and depletion mode MOSFET, gate structure, threshold voltage, sub-threshold current. JFET: differences from the MOSFET. Applications of the FET in everyday electronic circuits and systems. Qualitative description of the operation of amplifiers and switches. BIPOLAR JUNCTION TRANSISTOR (BJT): BJT construction; current control characteristics, operating regions. Applications of the BJT in everyday electronic circuits and systems. Qualitative description of the operation of amplifiers and switches. POWER DEVICES: Thyristor: current control characteristics, operating regions. Triac: current control characteristics, operating regions. Qualitative description of the operation of power control circuits using thyristors and triacs. INTEGRATED CIRCUIT (IC) technology: IC component overview.

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to: 1. Describe the physical processes in semiconductor materials. 2. Describe the electrical behaviour of basic semiconductor devices. 3. Describe the operation of typical electronic circuit applications for semiconductor devices.

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to: 1. Acknowledge the role of semiconductor devices in modern electrical and electronic systems. 2. Demonstrate the operation of basic semiconductor devices. 3. Practise the design, build, and test of electronic circuits that demonstrate the operation of basic semiconductor devices.

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to: 1. Build electronic circuits with selected components within an electronic engineering laboratory environment. 2. Measure electrical parameters (resistance, voltage, current) in selected electronic circuits. 3. Use appropriate test and measurement equipment within an electronic engineering laboratory environment.

The module will be taught through lectures, laboratories, and directed self-study activities. The laboratories will enable the student to demonstrate their knowledge of the subject through experiments that will written-up as formal laboratory reports, and which will allow the student to develop their communication skills in a formal reports in a responsible manner.