4 ECTS credits
105 h study time
Offer 1 with catalog number 4017333FNR for all students in the 2nd semester at a (F) Master - specialised level.
This course is taught at UGent. See https://studiegids.ugent.be/2020/EN/studiefiches/E030782.pdf
The course is divided into three parts
part 1: Physics of semiconductors for photonic applications including
Overview of optoelectronics, advanced theory of band structures, Quantum confined semiconductor structures including strain, phonons in semiconductors, optical processes in semiconductors
part 2: Technologies: advanced crystal growth and epitaxial techniques, integration and packaging technolgies
part 3: Devices: photodetectors, light sources, light modulators,and miscellaneous devices
For all parts exercises and independent work will be organised
Overview of the basic properties of semiconductirs, comparitive study between a whole set of semiconductors (binary, ternay and quaternary compounds).
Electron wave function in semiconductors: derivation of the dispersion relations in the conduction and valence band based on the k.p approximation
Heterostructures: boundary conditions, lattice matched and pseudomorphic structures, quantum wells, wires and dots based on the envelope function approximation
Phonons in semiconductors: acoustic, optical, transverse and longitudinal
Optical transition in semiconductors based on the Fermi's Golden Rule: absorption processes in direct and indirect semiconductors, interband and intraband transitions intervalley and intravalley, free carrier absorption, phononabsorption.
Technological overview of typical advanced technological processes and photonic integration techniques.
Photonic devices:
light sources: LEDS and lasers: gain, non-parabolic effects, strain,...
detectors: o.a. photoconductors, PN, PIN and avalanche photodiodes , Metal-Schottky, Quantum Well IR detectors, Quantum Dot IR detectors, Thermal photodetectors, Seebeck detectors
modulators, o.a. electro-absorption modulators, quantum confined Stark effect
Exercises aim to get the student more familiar with the theoretical concepts of the course.
Course is lectured in the second semester. Lecture take place in University of Ghent (UGent).
Course text in English
https://studiegids.ugent.be/2020/EN/studiefiches/E030782.pdf
The student will acquire an advanced theoretical framework (mathematical and quantum-mechanical tools) to design optoelectronic devices. He will get insight in the band structures of semiconductors and how they change in structures with reduced dimensions. He will get insights in the newest technologies to develop novel devices for the future. He will know the operation principles of a large set of photonic devices such as detectors, light sources, modulators and others.
The course will be a solid base to understand the operation of optoelectronic devices of today, and will be able to design novel devices for future based applications
The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Oral Exam determines 55% of the final mark.
Written Exam determines 10% of the final mark.
PRAC Teamwork determines 10% of the final mark.
PRAC Presentation determines 25% of the final mark.
Within the Oral Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:
Within the Written Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:
Within the PRAC Teamwork category, the following assignments need to be completed:
Within the PRAC Presentation category, the following assignments need to be completed:
At the end of part 1 of the course a project will be worked out by the students to get better insights into the concepts of the course. The final report of this assignment will be evaluated during an oral discussion. A partial exemption can be obtained about this part of the theory can be obtained.
At the end of the academic year
- an oral examination, prepared in a written way within open book format will be organized.
- additionally an exercise exam within an open book format, will be organized the same day
This offer is part of the following study plans:
Master of Photonics Engineering: Standaard traject (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Photonics Engineering: On campus traject
Master of Photonics Engineering: Online/Digital traject