Principle of Semiconductor Devices Part II: Field Effect Transistors and MOSFETs

As a topic of study, semiconductor devices offer a unique challenge due to the complex mathematics involved. In this course, we take a more intuitive approach to exploring the underlying concepts. Eschewing mathematics, we use engaging animations to help you visualize the working principles of many common semiconductor devices.

Whether you are completely new to the subject or an experienced engineer, this course will give you a different perspective and a new way to look at the behaviors of semiconductor devices.

Reducing the reliance of equations does not mean the depth of the material is sacrificed. In fact, the course provides even more in-depth explanations of key concepts. We shift the focus from quantitatively evaluating the behavior of semiconductor devices to intuitively visualizing the semiconductor device actions.

Following the approach from Part I, we expand the understanding from PN junction diodes and BJTs to MOS capacitors, charge coupled devices and MOSFETs. In addition to describing the theory of MOSFETs, the course covers some more recent development in non-traditional nano-CMOS transistors. Besides covering the existing technologies, the course will also enable you to project the development of the industry in the near future.

• How to visualize the charge and capacitance characteristics of MOS capacitors
• Ways to describe the operation principle of charge couple devices and CMOS active-pixel sensor to construct a digital camera
• How to calculate the current voltage characteristics of MOSFETs
• How the reduction of transistor dimensions and device scaling drive the technology development
• What are the most important parameters to control short channel effects
• How to construct short channel MOSFETs
• Communication in the language of nano-CMOS technology

Week 1: MOS capacitor charges and capacitances

Introduction to the MOS capacitor structures, its charge and capacitance characteristics

Week 2: Charge coupled device, CMOS active-pixel sensor and MOS capacitor with a source

The operation principle of charge coupled devices, CMOS active pixel sensor for digital camera applications. The effect of adding a source to the MOS capacitor.

Week 3: Classical MOSFET I-V characteristics

Derivation of the classical MOSFET equations and the subthreshold characteristics.

Week 4: Mobility degradation and carrier velocity saturation

Correction to the classical pinchoff model by including the effect of mobility degradation and carrier velocity saturation.

Week 5: CMOS device scaling and short channel MOSFET

The effect of transistor scaling, short channel effects and the problems of small transistor design.

Week 6: Non-traditional nano-CMOS transistors

Introduction to the state-of-the-art transistors structure including SOI technology, FinFET, multi-gate MOSFET, tunnelling transistor and transistors based on 2-D materials.

Week 7: Final Exam