Module ENGI4131: MICROELECTRONICS

Department: Engineering

ENGI4131: MICROELECTRONICS

Prerequisites

• Level 3 MEng Electronic Engineering

Corequisites

• As specified in programme regulations

Excluded Combination of Modules

• As specified in programme regulations

Aims

• This module is designed solely for students studying School of Engineering and Computing Sciences degree programmes.
• The module will provide graduates with advanced knowledge and understanding of Nanoelectronic and Photonic Devices and the Application & Design of Integrated Circuits.

Content

• Top-down versus bottom-up approaches to nanotechnology. Nanoelectronics.
• Limitations of laws of physics – thermodynamics and quantum mechanics. Evolution of electronics. Moore’s laws.
• Scaling laws for MOS devices.
• Quantum limit. Power dissipation limit. Material and device limitations.
• Pattern generation. Diffraction-limited optics. Minimum feature size and depth of focus.
• Phase shifting masks. Immersion lithography. E-beam, ion-bean and X-ray lithography.
• Microcontact printing.
• Emerging devices. FinFET and UTB devices. Coulomb blockade. Single electron transistors.
• Use of organic materials in electronics. Silicon versus polymers. Organic diodes, transistors and displays.
• Electronics at the molecular level. Molecular diodes and transistors.
• Molecular films: Self assembly (chemical and electrostatic).
• LB film deposition.
• Photonic crystals: Fundamental properties of photonic crystals.
• Photonic devices: Photoconduction and operation of semiconductor photodiodes/lasers and solar cells.
• Integrated MEMs Applications: for micro sensors and Transducers taking account of the special mechanical design considerations associated with MEMs devices such as the accelerometer and Digital Mirror Device.
• RF Integrated Circuit Design: for communications and telephony. The design and implementation of real RF circuits will be explored using Microwave Office simulation software. This will involve a laboratory simulation exercise to enable the students to experience how inherent circuit properties such as track length and capacitance can affect the performance of RF circuits.
• Mixed Signal Integrated Circuit applications for Audio and Video. Modelling of electronic circuits using SPICE, and the types of analysis available by simulation including a Lab exercise. Development of a SPICE model for a given circuit and simulation of the circuit to investigate its properties. Simulation will include "What If" experiments to determine e.g. sensitivity to component value.
• An overview of the emerging field of Organic Electronics. This will include descriptions of how a range of electronic devices are possible using organic materials and the advantages and disadvantages that result. Description of the current state-of-the-art.
• An overview of the emerging field of Organic Electronics. This will include descriptions of how opto-electronic devices are possible using organic materials and the advantages an disadvantages that result. Operation of organic electronic devices, particularly photovoltaics and transistors, and how to quantify their performance. Description of the current state-of-the-art from both academia and industry.

Learning Outcomes

• An awareness of the state-of-the-art of microelectronic devices.
• An understanding of the scope for further developments and an appreciation of the possible exploitation of nanoelectronics and photonics technologies (improved materials, processing and manipulation) for the realisation of new device architectures.

• An awareness of current technology and industrial practices along with the ability to apply those methods in novel situations.
• An in-depth knowledge and understanding of specialised and advanced technical and professional skills, an ability to perform critical assessment and review and an ability to communicate the results of their own work effectively.

• Capacity for independent self-learning within the bounds of professional practice.
• Highly specialised analysis skills appropriate to an engineer.
• Mathematics relevant to the application of advanced engineering concepts.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• The components in the Application and Design of Integrated Circuits course are covered in lectures, practical laboratories and are reinforced by direct reading and problem solving activities involving continuous assessment and laboratory exercises. This course comprises three of the following four sections: RF Integrated Circuit Design, Mixed Signal Integrated Circuit applications for Audio and Video, Integrated MEMs applications, and Organic Electronics. Assessment of one section will be continual assessment, and which section will vary from year to year. Assessment of the remaining two sections will be by examination.
• The courses in Nanoelectronics and Photonics are assessed by written timed examinations.
• Students are able to make use of staff 'Tutorial Hours' to discuss any aspect of the module with teaching staff on a one-to-one basis. These are sign up sessions available for up to one hour per week.
• Written timed examinations are appropriate because of the wide range of analytical, in-depth material covered in this module and to demonstrate the ability to solve advanced problems independently.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

None

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University