Educational Activities

Question 014-07: I am looking for an interesting/hot shot topic for my theses so your suggestions are welcome since I could not find anyone around who is really updated about electronic devices. Mainly I am interested in Device modeling, novel devices & quantum phenomena in practical nano-structures.  Please suggest even if the topic is more than undergrad level since I am already planning to go for graduate study.

Answer 014-07: As an undergraduate you probably see mostly super-simple devices like diodes or simplified state-of-the-art MOS devices that have been reduced to their SPICE equivalent models.  In preparing for graduate school and speaking of devices, there are several kinds of still basic device types that will more broadly prepare you for the future:

1) photo-diode effect (i.e. solar cells and photo-detectors)

2) bipolar transistors (vs. MOS majority carrier effects, minority carrier devices)

3) parasitic effects in general (i.e. "latchup" in circuits and electro-static discharge (ESD) protection)

This is a rather broad set of devices and issues, beyond the basic diode-MOS world view.  But, the physics that come from minority carrier effects is important.  The book by Prof. Streetman, Solid State Electronic Devices, Prentice Hall, is a good place to start (and can keep you busy for some time).