Nanostructure Materials and Devices
Courses:
-
PHYS 1120 - Physics 2, Electricity and Magnetism (recommended for
spring freshman year)
ECEN 3320 - Semiconductor Devices (recommended for fall junior year)
ECEN 4345 - Introduction to Solid State (recommended for spring junior year)
ECEN 4375 - Microstructures Laboratory (recommended for spring senior year)
Faculty advisors:
Materials and device electronics dominated technological advances in the 20th century, and are advancing at an accelerated rate in the 21st century. Early electronics used the vacuum tube, but about 50 years ago this gave way to solid state electronics based on semiconductors. This enabled the growth of the microelectronics industry, integrated circuits, superconductor devices, and more recently practical use of solar cells. Virtually all audio, video, communications, computing and more recently aerospace and automotive technologies are based on microelectronic devices. During the last few years, nanostructured materials and nano-scale (below 1 micron) devices have allowed the fabrication of devices that were not even dreamed of earlier.
Nanostructures is based upon a solid understanding of modern physics as well as a "feel" for physical structures. In addition to the physics courses required for the EE degree, it would be useful to take PHYS 1120, Physics 2, early. The stepping-off point to junior and senior-level nanostructures courses is ECEN 3250, Circuits/Electronics 3. After that ECEN 4345, Intro to Solid State, and ECEN 3320, Semiconductor Devices, can be taken in any order, but it may be helpful to take Intro to Solid State first, even though it is currently listed as a 4000-level course. Semiconductor Devices must be taken before Microstructures Laboratory. ECEN 4375, Microstructures Laboratory, provides hands-on experience with designing and fabricating working microelectronic devices learned about in Semiconductor Devices.
Some Technological Problem Areas
- Higher-density computers and memories
- Lower-power portable devices
- Lasers and solid-state lighting devices
- Flat-panel displays
- Digital cameras and photodetectors
Some Societal Problem Areas
- Alternative energy devices
- Nano-scale electronic devices for medical implants
- Medical imaging, cancer detection and therapeutics
