Semiconductor Optoelectronics

Overview

Contents:
Review of Semiconductor Device Physics : Energy bands in solids, the E-k diagram, Density of states, Occupation probability, Fermi level and quasi Fermi levels, p-n junctions, Schottky junction and Ohmic contacts.
Semiconductor optoelectronic materials, Bandgap modification, Heterostructures and Quantum Wells.

Interaction of photons with electrons and holes in a semiconductor : Rates of emission and absorption, Condition for amplification by stimulated emission, the laser amplifier.
Semiconductor Photon Sources : Electroluminescence. The LED: Device structure, materials and characteristics. The Semiconductor Laser: Basic structure, theory and device characteristics; direct current modulation.
Quantum-well lasers; DFB-, DBR- and vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSEL); Laser diode arrays. Device packages and handling.

Semiconductor Optical Amplifiers & Modulators : Semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOA), SOA characteristics and some applications, Quantum-confined Stark Effect and Electro-Absorption Modulators.
Semiconductor Photodetectors : Types of photodetectors, Photoconductors, Single junction under illumination: photon and carrier-loss mechanisms, Noise in photodetection;
Photodiodes, PIN diodes and APDs: structure, materials, characteristics, and device performance. Photo-transistors, solar cells, and CCDs. Optoelectronic integrated circuits - OEICs.