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2020　Optical physics of semiconductors and device applications

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Academic unit or major
Undergraduate major in Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Instructor(s)
Watanabe Masahiro 
Class Format
Lecture    (ZOOM)
Media-enhanced courses
Day/Period(Room No.)
Thr1-2(S224)  
Group
-
Course number
EEE.D332
Credits
1
Academic year
2020
Offered quarter
2Q
Syllabus updated
2020/9/18
Lecture notes updated
2020/8/3
Language used
Japanese
Access Index

Course description and aims

In this lecture, based on the basic knowledge of semiconductor physics and electromagnetism, you will learn the basic concepts of optical properties such as light propagation in semiconductors, light absorption and light emission of solids. Based on the understandings, you will learn the principles and structures of optical devices that play an important role in modern science and technology.
First of all, the interaction between light and electrons in a semiconductor will be described from the laws of nature. You can acquire the method of mathematical analysis of the fundamental equations required for the understandings of the optical properties of semiconductors. Next, after understanding differences in optical properties of solids such as band gap, direct transition and indirect transition, etc. you will understand the concepts such as stimulated absorption, spontaneous emission and stimulated emission, optical amplification, wihch is essential for the understandings of the principles of optical devices such as photodetector, photovoltaics, light emitting diodes and lasers.

Student learning outcomes

By completing this course, you will acquire the following abilities.

(1) Explain the physical origin of differences in optical properties of semiconductor materials based on understanding of physical properties such as energy bands.
(2) Explain the mechanism of light propagation in semiconductors and analyze it using basic models.
(3) Explain the mechanism of light absorption and light emission of semiconductors, and analyze them using basic models.
(4) Explain the mechanism of light amplification in semiconductors and the analysis method.
(5) Explain the basic structure and operation principle of a photodetector and a solar cell.
(6) Explain the basic structure and operation principle of a light emitting diode and a semiconductor laser.

Keywords

light emission, lihgt absorption, semiconductor, interaction of light and electron, stimulated emission, stimulated absorption, spontaneous emission, light amplification, photodiode, solar cell, light emitting diode, semiconductor laser

Competencies that will be developed

Specialist skills Intercultural skills Communication skills ✔ Critical thinking skills Practical and/or problem-solving skills
✔ ・Applied specialist skills on EEE

Class flow

Lecture will be presented by pptx slide projection. Problem solving excercises will be held.

Course schedule/Required learning

  Course schedule Required learning
Class 1 Introduction, light propagation in semiconductors (Maxwell's equation, dielectric constant, light propagation in media with absorption loss) Derivation of electromagnetic waves from Maxwell's equation.
Class 2 Light absorption and emission of semiconductor (energy band, direct and indirect transition, stimulated absorption, stimulated emission, spontaneous emission, Einstein's coefficient） Explain the difference of direct and indirect transition semiconductors.
Class 3 Interaction of light and electron (2-level system, emission from oscilating diple, electric dipole moment, transition probability, Fermi's golden rule, selection rule) Analysis of 2-level system with semi-classical model.
Class 4 Light absorption and amplification (thermal equilibrium of absorption and emission, Plank's thermal emission rule, population inversion, light amplification, light propagation in media with amplification gain, laser) Derivation of Plank's law. Explain population inversion and light amplification.
Class 5 Structure and operation principle of photodiode and solar cell Explain structure and operation principle of photodiode and solar cell.
Class 6 Structure and operation principle of light emitting diode and semiconductor laser Explain structure and operation principle of light emitting diode and semiconductor laser.
Class 7 Final test (Confirmation of understandings) Final test (Confirmation of understandings)

Out-of-Class Study Time (Preparation and Review)

To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.

Textbook(s)

none

Reference books, course materials, etc.

多田邦雄，松本俊 共著「光・電磁物性」コロナ社 ISBN4-339-00021-3
末松安晴 著「光デバイス」コロナ社 ISBN978-4-339-00159-4

Assessment criteria and methods

Final test (80%) and exercises (20%)

Related courses

  • EEE.D211 ： Semiconductor Physics
  • EEE.D201 ： Quantum Mechanics
  • EEE.E201 ： Electricity and Magnetism I
  • EEE.E202 ： Electricity and Magnetism II
  • EEE.D361 ： Photonic Devices

Prerequisites (i.e., required knowledge, skills, courses, etc.)

Knowledge of semiconductor physics is desirable.

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