Semiconductor Heterostructures:  Band Gap Engineering and Devices

Course:                        EE 396K, Unique #15325

Prerequisites:                Graduate standing or consent of instructor.

Instructor:                     Archie Holmes, Jr.

                                    PRC Office:  MER 1.606I;  Phone: 232-2735

                                    Email:   holmes@mail.utexas.edu

Class Schedule:            MW 1:30 - 3 PM in MER 2.114

Office Hours:                See text below

Official Text:                 Readings and notes for this class can be purchased at Paradig, located at 407 W.24th Street.

Course Objectives

In this course you will learn to analyze and design semiconductor heterostructures for a number of physics and electronic or optoelectronic device applications.  By the end of the semester you should be able to:

(a)    calculate the bandstructure of quantized semiconductor heterostructures (i.e., quantum wells) by multiple methods

(b)   understand how changes in the structure of semiconductor heterostructures affect the bandstructure.  These changes will include:

• the thickness of barrier layers (i.e., superlattices)
• the effect of further degrees of quantization (i.e., quantum wires and dots)
• the effects of epitaxial strain and (modulation) doping

(c)    understand how the properties of semiconductor heterostructures can affect electronic and optoelectronic devices.  These properties will include:

• Resonant Tunneling
• Two-dimensional electron gases (2DEG)

This class does not have an extensive theoretical component.  It is not my goal or intention to cover topics like self‑consistent solutions to Poisson’s and Schöedinger’s equations.  My idea is to provide you the basic outline of many different theoretical tools to help in designing and explaining experiments.

Since this is a graduate course where students come from different undergraduate and graduate backgrounds, it would be beneficial if you have taken an undergraduate level course in solid state physics and quantum mechanics.  While such knowledge is not absolutely necessary for success in the course, you will find it helpful to have.  If you have questions concerning this please ask me.

Grading Policy

Your grade in this course will be determined by your performance on homework assignments, exams, and a final project.  The breakdown of each category in the final grade determination is shown below:

The homework is designed to help you learn the concepts discussed in class.  Three types of problems will be assigned:  straight forward calculation problems, design problems, and problems where published articles in technical journals will be used to illustrate to use of the concepts discussed.  I encourage you to talk about the assignments with your fellow students in order to help your understanding of the subject.  However, I do also expect that the homework you turn into me be your individual presentation of the solution.  Quite simply, talk about the problems together but write the solution(s) individually.  If you are unclear on this let me know.

The two exams will be scheduled during the semester (dates to be determined) and will be based upon the lectures and homework assignments.  The exams will be open book and notes

Obtaining Help

There will be no officially scheduled office hours for this course.  In general, I am available for questions at any time in my office at the Pickle Research Center (1.606I).  The best times will be Mondays, Wednesdays, and Friday mornings.  On the off chance I am  busy and cannot meet with you then, we will schedule a mutually agreed upon time to meet.   I request that you not stop by the hour before class since I will be reviewing my notes for that day’s lecture. If you cannot make these times, your best bet is to contact me via email with your questions and make an appointment if necessary.

The University of Texas at Austin provides upon request appropriate academic adjustments for qualified students with disabilities.  For more information, contact the Office of the Dean of Students at 471-6259, 471-4241 TTD or the College of Engineering Director of Students with Disabilities at 471-4382.

Class Notices via Email

From time to time, I will contact the class about either clarification on a homework problem, a change in the homework due date, a change in my office hours, etc.  All of these announcements will be made at the next class meeting time.  If you want a more rapid notification of these and other issues, please send email to holmes@mail.utexas.edu with a subject line of "Add to EE 396K List" and you will be placed on the list.

Academic Dishonestly

Cheating, in any form, will not be tolerated.  Cheating is any act or process by which you claim someone else’s work as your own.  The fact that you have made it this far in the engineering curriculum is testament to your abilities.  Don’t jeopardize your careers by doing something like this.