99551 - Semiconductors, Nanostructures and Advanced Functional Devices M

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student has learned foundational concepts of physics of semiconducting materials, nanostructures and devices, with particular focus on material energy band structure, electronic transport and optical properties. The student will be introduced to innovative manufacturing processes of advanced functional materials based on low impact and sustainable deposition/growth methods, like inkjet 2D and 3D printing. This knowledge will be used to address and discuss novel optoelectronic devices of interest in the application fields of energy conversion, radiation detection and light emission.

Course contents

Semiconductors

Introduction to Quantum Mechanics: Schröedinger equation, wave-particle duality, Heisenberg uncertainty principle

Preliminary concepts: Bloch Theorem, Band structure, density of states, doping.

Microscopic theory of charge transport: drift and diffusion current, conductivity and mobility, carrier concentration.

Optical absorption processes: optoelectronic conversion, radiative emission

Devices: p-n junctions, photodiodes, light emitting diodes (LEDS), LASER and transistors

Nanostructures

Physics at the nanoscale: quantum confinement principles, from 3D to 0D nanostructures

Electron transport in low dimensional systems: quantum wells, quantum wires and quantum dot structures

Nanotools and nano-microfabrication: micro-nano lithography, thin film deposition and patterning.

Advanced functional materials and devices

Organic and hybrid semiconductors: perovskites, bulk heterojunction blends, graphene, 2D materials

Energy harvesting electronic devices: solar cells, tandem structures, photodiodes, flexible electronics.

Readings/Bibliography

1. S.M.Sze “Semiconductor devices: physics and technology” Wiley Publisher 2012
2. C.W.Shong et al “Science at the nanoscale”, Pan Stanford Publishing 2010
3. L.Colombo “Solid State Physics: a primer” IOP Publishing 2021

Teaching methods

The course contents are illustrated and discussed during frontal lectures.

Assessment methods

The assessment of the achievement of the learning outcomes is based on the following steps:

• 5 min oral talk: slides focused on one of the topics of the course where a recent literature research will be also presented.
• Oral exam: the assessment of the course learning outcomes will start from the topics of the student's report and will cover the main issues of the course.
  

FINAL SCORE: The final score depends on the capability of the student in the presentation and/or critical analyses of the topics of the course. Expressed in /30. The exam is passed with a grade ≥ 18/30.

Students with Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD) or temporary/permanent disabilities are advised to contact the University Office responsible in a timely manner (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en ). The office will be responsible for proposing any necessary accommodations to the students concerned. These accommodations must be submitted to the instructor for approval at least 15 days in advance, and will be evaluated in light of the learning objectives of the course.

Teaching tools

The lecture notes of the course will be made available on the website Virtuale of the University of Bologna (virtuale.unibo.it)

Office hours

See the website of Laura Basiricò

See the website of Gabriele Bolognini

See the website of Andrea Ciavatti