Class updates in reverse chronological order

10/10 Thanks for catchinh a typo. HW0 P8. The countour is clockwise (not counterclockwise) and the d-field is counterclockwise. Thus, the integration is negative. -TY

10/9 One cheat sheet (standard letter size, front and rear) allowed, but the quiz will ask the understanding of concepts rather than numerical calculations. I expect the quiz to be of full length 3:20 - 4:55. -TY

10/9 The quiz math covers necessary topics to understand quantum and energy bands (both pn junction, and E-k) in EE227. -TY

10/9 The quiz topics include, but not limited to, integration by parts, complex functions, Gauss and Stokes in spherical and cylindrical coordinates, eigenvalue/eigenvector, partial differentials, Laplace and Fourier, trigonometry, matrix equation, scalar/vector products, etc. The del formula table https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Del_in_cylindrical_and_spherical_coordinates is provided in the classroom.  Of course you don't have to use to solve the quiz, but you can get an extreme short cut. -TY

10/9 We have started Schrodinger in class. -TY 

10/7 Hints for the official math quiz posted. -TY

10/6 The official math quiz is scheduled on 10/13 (Thu). Yulin will administer it at UCSC, and I will administer it at SCV. You want to review the mock math quiz contents. -TY

10/6 The reader/grader for EE227 F16 is Mr. Yulin Liu. Please submit the first HW (previous mock quiz, labeled as HW0) and the second HW (labeled as HW1) on 10/11 (Tue), to him at UCSC and to me at SVC. -TY

10/5 The second HW regarding crystal symmetry (it is labeled as HW1, though) is posted. You will turn in the first HW (mock quiz) and the second HW (labeled as HW1) to R/G at UCSC or to me at SVC soon. The schedule will be announced after the R/G paperwork is approved. -TY

10/5 There are multiple request for a mock math quiz sol. Since we will have an official math quiz soon, I have decided to post a "brief" solution. It lists the final answers only. In your exams and quiz, please elaborate to show logic. Please use it as a final check of your answers. -TY

10/3 My reply to a question. Because of the increased capacity in class discussed below, all exams or quizzes will be conducted in class, not in the take-home format any more. Thus, you want to be efficient in math and should be able to attend all lectures. -TY

10/3 Class notes are uploaded. -TY

10/2 Please read all contents of this web page carefully, if you register late. We will have an official math quiz counted towards the letter grade soon, HW1 has been already assigned, HW2 will be coming soon. You will submit HWs to a R/G at UCSC or to me at SVC. There are multiple quizzes, and exams in class. You care expected to take them all in the classroom. Make-ups will not be provided in principle. One absence may be extrapolated, but two or more absences will result in zero scores. Please check your schedule carefully and judge if you can physically attend all EE227 lectures in this quarter. -TY

10/1 We will soon have an official math quiz, counted towards the letter grade. As soon as the R/G is approved, the schedule is announced. -TY

10/1 As I hinted in class, the mock math quiz has been officially converted to HW1. Please start working on it. HW2 will be assigned soon. But please hold HWs untile the R/G is officially approved. I will let you know when to submit. -TY

10/1 The paperwork for EE227 reader/grader (R/G) is being processed, whose time constant is unfortunately unpredictable at this stage. I will start assigning HWs, so please start working on them. Untile the R/G can officially start working for EE227, please hold worked HWs. -TY

9/28 There was a question for mock math quiz P3. Let me try to explain the background in the following. -TY

There are concepts of general and specific solutions. The general solution exhausts all possibilities (usually expressed as a linear combination of specific solutions with constants). After imposing a boundary condition, a general solution is converted to a specific solution (constants in the general solution are uniquely determined).

It is possible to solve a differential equation using the Laplace transform. Applying the Laplace transform to a differential equation is the first step, i.e., converting an equation with variable t to that in variable s. The power of Laplace is to convert t-differentiation (always tough) to s-multiplication (simple).

Regarding problems in B or C, here are comments. -TY

We need to discuss "screening" in a semiconductor in EE227, i.e., a test charge in a semiconductor will be surrounded by the opposite charges, and how quickly the test charge is neutralized is expressed by the screening length. For this purpose we need to discuss the D-field (initial stimulus) and E-field (response). Again, conceptual understanding is necessary. In BJT, we often discuss bandgap narrowing. This is deeply related to screening and we can understand it by examining how the fields change in space, which is vector analysis. 

Obviously, a clever use of Gauss or Stokes theorems will give you a significant short-cut, whenever div or curl (rot) is constant. Direct surface/contour integrations are also doable, and they are easy when the feild is in R or phi directions, respectively. Please check problems in B and C in mock math quiz to see these points.

9/27 I am getting inquiries for mock math quiz solutions. When you write a journal paper, there is nobody whom you can consult with. You want to make sure your paper delivers correct results, but nobody will check it for you. It is really a lonely feeling. You want to overcome it gradually and want to be an independent scientist/engineer. 

The point you want to check is (1) if you understand the meaning of each question and (2) if you know how to get to the answer. For example, what is 13 x 19? It is a multiplication of two numbers. That's (1). Do you know how to get to the final answer (algorithm)? That's (2). I really want you to focus on (1), in prior to (2). It is a diagnosis for your understanding concepts. After you finish (1), and after you consider (2), and if you still don't get answers, then please let me know. I will explain at that time. -TY

9/27 A mock math quiz is posted (please get down to the bottom of this page). You need to understand this level of math for successful completion of the course. Complex functions are everywhere, and vector calculus is needed since we often re-examine E & M subjects. If you need to spend a few months or more to remember the contents, you would want to invest a quarter for math review before registering for EE227. Please judge by yourself. -TY

9/27 Hi, due to the request from the EE Dept, EE 227 will open up a space soon. If you are interested in EE227 and were not able to register, this would be a chance to enroll. Regarding this large change, here are some comments from me.

(1) Standard exams Covered topics will remain the same, but there will be a lot of changes in the assignments and evaluation format, i.e., HW, quiz, and exams including the final oral/paper presentations. There is a high chance that the final oral/paper presentations in the initial syllabus will be replaced with a standard final exam. In this regard, EE227 will be nothing different from regular courses with in-class exams.

(2) Math background EE227 is a graduate course assuming reasonable familiarity to mathematics, and we will not spend time for math review. Necessary math background will be discussed in class (complex functions, differential equations, matrix theory, Fourier, Laplace, etc.). Please evaluate how long it takes for you to review necessary math. You are in a good shape if it will take a week or so. But if it will take a few months or more, I suggest investing a quarter for math review before registering for EE227. For this purpose, a mock math quiz (not counted for letter grade) and an official math quiz (counted for letter grade) will be given in class soon.

(3) Consistent attendance There will be multiple quizzes and exams in class. Please make sure you will be able to attend all classes. Makeup arrangements will not be given in principle (your score might be extrapolated for one absence, but not for more than two absences). Please understand videos are just a backup for emergency, and is not a main vehicle for EE227.

Cheers, -TY

9/24 It seems the video system is up and running. -TY

9/22 Regarding the lecture video site, which is not working now, an email was circulated. I am copying it here. -TY

--------email reproduced-------------------

The Webcast service video player server is undergoing maintenance that is taking longer than expected. We are working on resolving the problem, and getting the service restored. Expect an update when the problem is corrected.

The positive news I can report is that the scheduled class recordings from yesterday and today have occurred correctly and will be available when the server is restored. If you have any concerns please do not hesitate to either send me an email, or send an email towebcast@ucsc.edu.
 
Regards
Mike Nardell
---------end of email----------------
 

9/22 The class has started. Please make sure you can log into this web site. A syllabus is posted at the bottom of this page and you need a Blue Cruz ID to access it. Lectures are video-taped and posted at  webcast.ucsc.edu. Please check it. -TY

 

 

Preface to EE227, Fall 2016

Welcome to EE 227, Fundamentals of Semicond Physics. We have learned Solid State Physics and Devices multiple times. But in many cases, the connection to traditional Electromagnetism or other fields of Physics is not discussed. For example,

(1) Dielectric Constant (function) ε

Many books say it increases a capacitance value by ε when a dielectric is inserted. OK. If we have to consider ε for a metal, which value is the most appropriate? Quick answer: minus infinity. Why?

(2) E-field and D-field

If an electric field is applied to a material, it will be polarized, which is E and which is D? Quick answer: the input external field is D and the output field is E. The common sense is the other way around. What is going on?

(3) Quantum Capacitor

As a device, a capacitor has two terminals. Each terminal is connected to an electrode, and a pair of electrodes store positive and negative charges. But the new concept of quantum capacitor applies to a single conductor storing only one kind of charges. What does it mean?

(4) Energy Bands

In some textbooks, it is written, "the bottom of the conduction band is s-like, and the top of the valence band is p-like." Wait a minute. P-orbitals must be higher in energy than s-orbitals. What is going on? Quick answer: this is not a typo and is correct. There is a deep meaning for it. 

If you are like me, you may have spent a lot of time considering these subjects. The course will cover subjects that may be familiar to you, but there are often twists. We will re-examine various fundamentals and clear up annoying paradoxes. New concepts are also covered, such as Coulomb blockade, various tunneling, double layer capacitance, pseudocapacitance, etc.

Rather than concentrating on mathematics, we really want to understand what is going on in semiconductor materials and devices. If you have any questions, just send me an email at tyamada@soe.ucsc.edu.

You may look at T. Yamada, Chapter 7, "Nanoelectronics Applications" in Carbon Nanotubes: Science and Applications edited by M. Meyyappan, (CRC, Boca, Raton, 2004). But it was written ten years ago, and new topics such as quantum capacitor or kinetic inductor are not discussed. They will be surely covered in class. Syllabus is available in "Attached Files (Secure)" in the left column. Please check "Class Guide (Secure)" regularly, since all announcements are made in there.

***Important****Please click Class Guide (Secure) regularly with your BlueCruz ID, since all important communications are posted there. HWs and class notes are posted in Attachments, but again you need yourBlueCruz ID.

 

Toshishige Yamada, Ph.D. (EE)

山田俊茂

http://users.soe.ucsc.edu/~tyamada

Campus_directory

SOE_directory

tyamada@soe.ucsc.edu

 

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