This course introduces the most important semiconductor components that are used in the modern electronics. We focus on the MOS-transistor, pn and schottkydiodes and different types of memory cells. Furthermore, solar cells, photodiodes and light-emitting diodes are included. In the course, power consumption and gate delay in CMOS-based circuits are discussed. An overview is given of the development of so-called technology nodes for advanced CMOS according to Moore's law. You should be familiar with the process flow that is used to produce modern microelectronics. Strong emphasis is placed on sustainability aspects such as energy consumption and finite resources.

After passing the course, the student shall be able to

• describe the electronic band structure for insulators, semiconductors and metals qualitatively
• use the concepts electron- and hole-concentration, bandgap and mobility for calculations of current-voltage relations in semiconductor components
• analyse and calculate the internal electrostatics (charges, electric field and potential) in semiconductor components based on pn and MOS-structures
• describe the function and the application areas for the pn-diode, the MOS-transistor and common types of memory cells and some kind of semiconductor sensor
• describe the basic properties for CMOS-inverters and how these are used to implement integrated circuits.
• give an account of the most important sustainability aspects in production of modern microelectronics.

To achieve the course goals it is necessary to actively study during all weeks of the course. It is assumed that the students have followed the reading instructions before each lecture, since the lectures contains sections that require active participation from the students.

Note that the weekly student recitations which also require preparation ahead of each class!

The course gives 7.5 credits (HEC) (200 hours of which 46 hours are in class).

Course overview

• 12 scheduled lectures (recommended attendance)
• 6 student recitations (recommended attendance)
• 1 laboratory session with 2 seminars (mandatory attendance)

Lectures

There are reading instructions at the Syllabus page within Canvas. During the lectures there will be sections that require active participation by the students, so called concept questions or other types of peer group discussions.

Student recitations and assignments

The material for each student recitation is posted in Canvas. Each week 4-6 new problems are assigned. 

Before each student recitation the students should try their best to solve all problems. 12 out of 24 total problems with acceptable solutions are required to pass. The requirement for an acceptable presentation is that it should be clear to the teacher and the class that the student has made an honest attempt to solve the problem, but not necessarily getting the correct answer.

The TA will present correct solutions and lead a dicussion in class.

The level of difficulty of the problems on the student recitation corresponds to the written exam.

It is of course allowed (and encouraged) that students collaborate in order to prepare for the student recitations.

Laboratory work, seminars and report

Location:

TENTATIVE due to ongoing campus move: Electrum building, KISTA CAMPUS, elevator C, level 3.

Signup:

Lab groups (four students) for signup will be scheduled by in Canvas.

Overview of tasks for completed lab course:

See also Lab Module in Canvas

• Before the lab, a dedicated lab seminar will introduce extraction procedure and report writing.
• During two hours measurement data is collected under the guidance of a lab assistant.
• After the lab, each student submits an individual lab report that presents the measurements, the extraction procedure and the results. The report should be submitted under the ASSIGNMENTS menu in Canvas. Submission deadline found in the schedule at the end of this course-PM.
• Feedback seminar and peer review: Reports for peer review will be assigned through Canvas. About half a page constructive feedback for each report must be posted in Canvas before the feedback seminar. At the feedback seminar each student will give (to their peers) and receive (from their peers) feedback on their reports.
• After the seminar students can improve their reports and the final report should be submitted before the second deadline stated in the schedule at the end of this course-PM.

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Students at KTH with a permanent disability can get support during studies from Funka:

Funka - compensatory support for students with disabilities

• TENA - Written exam, 4.5 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F
• LABA - Laboration, 1.5 credits, grading scale: P, F
• SEMA - Seminar, 1.5 credits, grading scale: P, F

Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.

The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.

If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.

The intended learning outcomes are examined according to this matrix

Weighting of grades

If the student has achieved more than grade E on any part of the examination the grade will be calculated as an average. This average will be based on the subset of tasks, where the complete range E-A applies. Tasks that are only graded pass (E) are not considered in the average.

E-nivåkriterier (pass criteria at E-level)

Criteria for higher levels C and A

• All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
• In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
• In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.

The official course syllabus is valid from the spring semester 2023 in accordance with Head of School decision: J-2021-1952.

Decision date: 14/10/2021