Preparation of Semiconductor Nanostructures

Course guarantor:

Eduard Hulicius

Lecturer:

Eduard Hulicius

Tutor:

Eduard Hulicius

Supervisor:

Department of Laser Physics and Photonics

Synopsis:

Lectures will introduce students to modern methods of preparation of semiconductors, their compounds and structures. Differences between nanoelectronics and microelectronics will be explained. Physico-chemical fundaments of different technologies will be discussed. Substantive attention will be devoted to epitaxial technologies, which are substantial for semiconductor nanostructure preparation. Particular emphasis will be focused on characterization „in situ“ and „ex situ“ techniques. Optical, structural, electron and other methods will be described, their application to heterostructure and nanostructure growths will be discussed. Some supportive technical methods - lithography, diffusion, evaporation, ion implantation, contact and dielectric layer preparation will be mentioned as well as soldering and encasement. Examples of exploitation of nanostructures and heterostructures for semiconductor sources of radiation and detectors will be discussed at the end.

Requirements:

A prerequisite for studying the course 12PN is at least a basic course in Quantum Physics. Those who have mastered Solid State Physics or Crystallography will have an advantage in gaining a deeper understanding.

A combination of a seminar paper (presentation) and an oral exam (several questions related to the topics covered).

Examples of seminar paper topics:

DHS LD, Double heterostructure laser diodes

LD with QD, Laser diodes with quantum dots

RTD, Resonant tunnel diode

QCL, Quantum cascade lasers

Tandem FVČ, or Multi-junction solar cells

QDSC, Quantum dot solar cells

Thermophotovoltaic systems

Quantum ohm standard

QD single-electron transistor

Single-photon QD emitters

Custom topic

Syllabus of lectures:

1. Heterostructures, nanostructures, quantum size structures.

2. Preparation of bulk semiconductor monocrystals.

3. Principles of the epitaxial growth of layers and structures.

4. Epitaxial techniques for semiconductor nanostructure preparation - Molecular Beam Epitaxy (MBE) and Metal Organic Vapour Phase Epitaxy (MOVPE).

5. „In situ“ and „Ex situ“ characterisation techniques.

6. Supportive technical methods - lithography, diffusion, evaporation, ion implantation, contact and dielectric layer preparation.

7. Examples of exploitation of nanostructures and heterostructures for semiconductor sources of radiation and detectors.

Syllabus of tutorials:

Study Objective:

Knowledge: advanced knowledge of semiconductor nanostructure preparation techniques, of principles of fundamental technologies, main materials used in semiconductor nanoelectronics and applications.

Skills: advanced orientation in the field of semiconductor nanostructure preparation techniques. Applications and understanding of principles of main technologies, practical demonstration of principles on selected specific problems, such as quantum wells and dots, quantum cascade lasers, and (nano)photovoltaic cells.

Study materials:

Compulsory literature:

[1] E. L. Wolf, Nanophysics and Nanotechnology, WILEY-VCH, 2004.

[2] V. A. Schukin, N. N. Ledentsov, D. Bimberg, Epitaxy of Nanostructures, Springer-Verlag, 2004.

[3] M. A. Herman, W. Richter, H. Sitter, Epitaxy, Springer-Verlag, 2004.

Supplementary literature:

[4] G. Gao, Nanostructures and Nanomaterials, Imperial College Press, 2004.

[5] K. Iga, S. Kinoshita, Process Technology for Semiconductor Lasers, Springer-Verlag, 1996.

[6] V. M. Ustinov, A. E. Zhukov, A. Y. Egorov, N. A. Maleev, Quantum dot lasers, Oxford University Press, 2003.

[7] T. Numai, Fundamentals of Semiconductor lasers, Springer-Verlag, 2004.

[8] D. Sands, Diode lasers, Institute of Physics Publishing, Series in Optics and Optoelectronics, 2005.

[9] M. Grundmann, Nano-optoelectronics, Springer-Verlag, 2002.

Note:

Time-table for winter semester 2025/2026:

Time-table is not available yet

Time-table for summer semester 2025/2026:

Time-table is not available yet

The course is a part of the following study plans:

• Fyzikální elektronika - Fotonika (elective course)