Solid State Physics

1. Semiconductor Physics
   1. Basic Concepts
      1. Definition of semiconductors
      2. Distinction between conductors, semiconductors, and insulators
   2. Types of Semiconductors
      1. Intrinsic semiconductors
         1. Pure semiconductors
         2. Carrier concentration and generation-recombination balance
      2. Extrinsic semiconductors
         1. Introduction of impurities
         2. Doping process
      3. n-type semiconductors
         1. Donation of electrons
         2. Donor levels and their impact on conductivity
         3. Typical donor impurities
      4. p-type semiconductors
         1. Acceptance of electrons (hole creation)
         2. Acceptor levels and their influence
         3. Common acceptor impurities
   3. Semiconductor Doping
      1. Purpose of doping
      2. Techniques for doping
         1. Ion implantation
         2. Diffusion
      3. Effects of doping on electrical properties
   4. Carrier Dynamics
      1. Charge carriers in semiconductors
         1. Electrons and holes
      2. Carrier concentration and temperature dependence
      3. Carrier mobility
         1. Influences on mobility
         2. Measurement of mobility
      4. Recombination and generation
         1. Direct and indirect bandgap materials
         2. Auger recombination
         3. Shockley-Read-Hall recombination
   5. Semiconductor Devices
      1. p-n Junctions
         1. Formation and characteristics of the p-n junction
         2. Depletion region
         3. Current-voltage characteristics
         4. Junction capacitance
      2. Diodes
         1. Rectifying behavior
         2. Energy band diagrams
         3. Types of diodes
            1. Zener diodes
            2. Schottky diodes
            3. Light-emitting diodes (LEDs)
      3. Transistors
         1. Bipolar Junction Transistors (BJT)
            1. Configuration and operation
            2. Common emitter, base, and collector arrangements
            3. Current amplification
         2. Field-Effect Transistors (FET)
            1. Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor FET (MOSFET)
               1. Structure and operation
               2. Threshold voltage
               3. Enhancement and depletion modes
            2. Junction FET (JFET)
               1. Operation and characteristics
               2. Comparison with MOSFET
      4. Photovoltaic Cells
         1. Working principle
         2. Semiconductor material requirements
         3. Efficiency considerations and limitations
         4. Developments in photovoltaic technologies
   6. Quantum Mechanical Effects
      1. Quantum wells, wires, and dots
         1. Size quantization effects
         2. Applications in optoelectronics
      2. Tunneling phenomena
         1. Resonant tunneling diode
         2. Implications for device miniaturization
   7. Advanced Concepts
      1. Semiconductor heterostructures
         1. Band alignment in heterojunctions
         2. Applications in high electron mobility transistors (HEMT)
      2. Organic semiconductors
         1. Material properties and applications
         2. Differences from inorganic semiconductors
      3. Compound semiconductors
         1. Examples such as GaAs, InP
         2. Advantages over silicon in specific applications
   8. Semiconductor Fabrication Techniques
      1. Crystal growth techniques
         1. Czochralski process
         2. Bridgman technique
      2. Thin film deposition
         1. Chemical vapor deposition (CVD)
         2. Physical vapor deposition (PVD)
      3. Lithography processes
         1. Photolithography
         2. Electron beam lithography
   9. Applications of Semiconductors
      1. Microelectronics
         1. Integrated circuits
         2. Moore's Law implications
      2. Optoelectronics
         1. Laser diodes
         2. Solar cells
      3. Power devices
         1. High-power transistors
         2. Rectifiers
      4. Sensors and detectors
         1. Infrared sensors
         2. Radiation detectors
   10. Challenges and Future Directions
       1. Scaling issues in semiconductor devices
       2. Emerging materials and configurations
          1. 2D semiconductors
          2. Flexible electronics
       3. Integration with nanotechnology and quantum computing
       4. Sustainability and material recycling efforts