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

Preliminary concepts. 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) 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: Electron microscopy, scanning probe microscopy, micro-nano lithography, thin film deposition and patterning.

Advanced functional materials and devices

Organic and hybrid semiconductors: P3HT, perovskites, bulk heterojunction blends, graphene, 2D materials

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

Energy storage materials: advanced Hydrogen storage, supercapacitors, Lithium-ion Batteries

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 exam consists in an oral examination at the end of the course. The oral interview aims at assessing the acquired knowledge related to the topics discussed during the course. The final mark is on a scale 30/30 and the course is passed with a final score equal or greater than 18/30

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 Beatrice Fraboni

See the website of Gabriele Bolognini