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This module is divided into two significant strands: electromagnetic theory and semiconductor devices.

Electromagnetic Theory:

This part of the course starts with a basic revision of Electromagnetics and the associated mathematical concepts and then concentrates on fundamental aspects of electromagnetic wave propagation. Starting with plane waves, these are used to introduce the basic concepts related to wave propagation such as wave velocities, polarisation, power transport, reflection and refraction. The final section of the course deals with guided waves and simple well-known waveguides Hollow pipes are studied as a means to introduce the basic concepts, and this is follow with a short section on dielectric waveguides which include the basic structures in optical waveguiding.

The module aims to provide a fundamental understanding of electromagnetic waves and their properties in free space and in waveguides in order to enable the analysis and design of high frequency electronic systems and components.

Upon completion of this module students should be able to understand and apply the basic scientific principles underlying electromagnetic wave propagation in free space and waveguides to a range of practical situations.

Semiconductor Devices:

The second part of the course will cover fundamentals of semiconductor materials and device operation and basics of quantum mechanics. Lectures will provide basic concepts of these topics as well as problem solving to be able to apply them to more real device problems.

This course extends the insight into the solid state fundamentals and device concepts established in First Year and considers the principles of state-of-the-art silicon diode and transistor operation. A range of devices are studied including current industry standards for fabrication, including the impact of nanotechnology on current and future devices. Basics of Quantum mechanics are also taught, which covers the wave-particle duality, time-independent Schrodinger equation and electron tunnelling.

Upon the completion of the course, students will be able to:

• understand and read the semiconductor (energy-wavevector) band diagrams;
• describe basic concepts of solid state semiconductor physics;
• solve time-independent Schrodinger equations for simple cases;
• describe formation, electrostatics and transport of metal-semiconductor contacts;
• describe formation, electrostatics and transport of metal-oxide-semiconductor contacts;
• understand the scaling of CMOS technologies.