Course description
Fundamentals of Current Flow
Very different from what is taught in standard courses, "Fundamentals of Current Flow" provides a unified conceptual framework for ballistic and diffusive transport of both electrons and phonons - essential information for understanding nanoelectronic devices.
The traditional description of electronic motion through a solid is based on diffusive transport, which means that the electron takes a random walk from the source to the drain of a transistor, for example. However, modern nanoelectronic devices often have channel lengths comparable to a mean free path so that electrons travel ballistically, or "like a bullet."
Verified students taking this course will be required to complete three (3) proctored exams using the edX online Proctortrack software.
Who should attend?
Prerequisites:
Students in engineering or the physical sciences, knowledge of differential equations and linear algebra.
Training content
Week 1: The New Perspective
- 1.1 Introduction
- 1.2 Two Key Concepts
- 1.3 Why Electrons Flow
- 1.4 Conductance Formula
- 1.5 Ballistic (B) Conductance
Week 2: The New Perspective (Continued)
- 1.6 Diffusive (D) Conductance
- 1.7 Connecting B to D
- 1.8 Angular Averaging
- 1.9 Drude Formula
- 1.10 Summing Up
Week 3: Energy Band Model
- 2.1. Introduction
- 2.2. E(p) or E(k) Relation
- 2.3. Counting States
- 2.4. Density of States
- 2.5. Number of Modes
Week 4: Energy Band Model (Continued)
- 2.6. Electron Density (n)
- 2.7. Conductivity vs. n
- 2.8 - 2.9 Bonus Lectures; NOT covered on exams
- 2.10 Summing Up
Week 5: What and Where is the Voltage
- 3.1 Introduction
- 3.2 A New Boundary Condition
- 3.3 Quasi-Fermi Levels (QFL's)
- 3.4 Current from QFL's
- 3.5 Landauer Formulas
- 3.6 - 3.10 Bonus Lectures; NOT covered on exams
Course delivery details
This course is offered through Purdue University, a partner institute of EdX.
5-6 hours per week
Costs
- Verified Track -$750
- Audit Track - Free
Certification / Credits
What you'll learn
- Ballistic and diffusive conductance
- Density of states
- Number of modes
- Conductivity
- Landauer formula
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edX
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