Module manager: Dr Alex Valavanis
Email: a.valavanis@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
This module is not approved as a discovery module
The aim of this module is to give students specialist knowledge and understanding of the properties of the semiconductor materials and devices used for transistors and optoelectronic devices. Students will gain an understanding of the principles of semiconductor physics, including an introduction to quantum mechanics and the design and analysis of important representative devices.
This module has the following objectives:
- To develop an understanding of the properties of the semiconductor materials and devices used for transistors and optoelectronic devices.
- To develop an understanding of the principles of semiconductor physics.
- To introduce quantum mechanics and the design and analysis of important representative devices.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes:
1. Apply knowledge of mathematics, statistics, natural science and engineering principles to the solution of complex electronics problems. Some of the knowledge will be at the forefront of electronics.
2. Analyse complex electronics problems to reach substantiated conclusions using first principles of mathematics, statistics, natural science and engineering principles.
3. Select and apply appropriate computational and analytical techniques to model complex electronics problems, recognising the limitations of the techniques employed.
4. Select and evaluate technical literature and other sources of information to address complex electronics problems.
5. Design solutions for complex electronics problems that meet a combination of societal, user, business and customer needs as appropriate. This will involve consideration of applicable health and safety, diversity, inclusion, cultural, societal, environmental and commercial matters, codes of practice and industry standards.
6. Apply an integrated or systems approach to the solution of complex electronics problems.
7. Evaluate the environmental and societal impact of solutions to complex electronics problems and minimise adverse impacts.
8. Identify and analyse ethical concerns and make reasoned ethical choices informed by professional codes of conduct.
9. Adopt an inclusive approach to engineering practice and recognise the responsibilities, benefits and importance of supporting equality, diversity and inclusion.
10. Select and apply appropriate materials, equipment, engineering technologies and processes, recognising their limitations.
11. Function effectively as an individual, and as a member or leader of a team.
12. Communicate effectively on complex engineering matters with technical and non-technical audiences.
13. Plan and record self-learning and development.
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills:
a) Application of science, mathematics and/or engineering principles
b) Problem analysis
c) Application of computational and analytical techniques
d) Searching and using technical literature
e) Design skills
f) Integrated systems approach
g) Sustainability
h) Professional ethics practice
i) Equality, diversity and inclusion
j) Technical awareness of engineering materials, equipment, technologies, and processes
k) Teamwork
l) Communication
m) Lifelong learning
Semiconductors and diodes:
- Band structure and conduction in metals and semiconductors, Fermi energy, electrons and holes
- Doping in semiconductors (n-type and p-type)
- The Fermi–Dirac distribution, density of states and carrier density, law of mass action
- The p–n junction, drift and diffusion currents, energy bands, charge distribution and built-in potential
- The Shockley diode equation, capacitance in p–n junctions
Light-emitting diodes and lasers:
- Light-emitting diodes (LEDs), compound semiconductors, molecular-beam epitaxy, and double-heterojunction LEDs
- Introduction to quantum mechanics, the Schroedinger equation and dispersion curves, effective mass, direct and indirect bandgap semiconductors
- Lasers and stimulated emission, practical laser devices and Fabry-Pérot cavities, p–n junction laser diodes, double heterojunction laser
- Quantum wells and the quantum-well laser, quantum cascade lasers, and applications of terahertz radiation
Photodiodes and Photovoltaics:
- Photodiodes, absorption coefficient and photodiode materials (indirect vs indirect band gap)
- The p-n junction photodiode, Ramo’s theorem and external photocurrent, quantum efficiency and responsivity, pin photodiodes, avalanche photodiodes
- Phototransistors and photoconductive detectors, noise in photodetectors, the solar energy spectrum
- Photovoltaic device principles, p-n junction photovoltaic I-V characteristics, equivalent circuits and temperature effects, solar cells materials, devices and efficiencies
Transistors:
- The bipolar junction transistor, common-base configuration and common-base and common-emitter amplifiers
- The junction field-effect transistor (JFET), operation under negative gate–source bias and JFET amplifier circuits
- Metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs), enhancement-mode MOSFETs and threshold voltage in MOSFETs
Methods of assessment
The assessment details for this module will be provided at the start of the academic year
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Examples Class | 16 | 1 | 16 |
| Lecture | 32 | 1 | 32 |
| Seminar | 3 | 2 | 6 |
| Independent online learning hours | 32 | ||
| Private study hours | 114 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 54 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
Students studying ELEC modules will receive formative feedback in a variety of ways, including the use of self-test quizzes on Minerva, practice questions/worked examples and (where appropriate) through verbal interaction with teaching staff and/or post-graduate demonstrators.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Coursework 1 | 25 |
| Coursework | Coursework 2 | 35 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 60 | |
Resits for ELEC and XJEL modules are subject to the School's Resit Policy and the Code of Practice on Assessment (CoPA), which are available on Minerva. For this module, students must resit internally (with tuition) in the next academic session.
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc) | 3.0 Hrs 0 Mins | 40 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 40 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 30/04/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team