1 credit
Spring 2026 Distance Learning Upper Division
This course is designed for anyone seeking a sound, physical, intuitive understanding of how modern transistors operate. Important technology considerations and applications of transistors are also discussed. The focus is on MOSFETs for digital logic, but other types of transistors are briefly considered. The course is broadly accessible to students with only a very basic knowledge of semiconductor physics and electronic circuits and should be useful for advanced undergraduates, beginning graduate students, as well as practicing engineers and scientists. Topics include device metrics for digital and analog circuits, traditional MOSFET theory, the virtual source model, 1D and 2D electrostatics, Landauer/transmission approach to nanotransistors, the limits of MOSFETs, as well as a quick look at HEMTs, bipolar transistors, and compact circuit models.
Learning Outcomes1Understand MOSFET IV characteristics and device metrics and be able to analyze measured transistors characteristics and extract key device parameters.
2Have a sound understanding of the physical operation of transistors and be acquainted with the traditional theory of the MOSFET.
3Be familiar with 1D/2D/3D MOS electrostatics and appreciate the need for advanced MOSFET structures such as the FinFET.
4Understand modern transport theory (the transmission approach) and its application to nanoscale MOSFETs.
5Be introduced to other barrier-controlled transistors, such as HEMTs and bipolar transistors.
6Know what a physics-based compact model is and the role they play in electronics.
Prerequisites
Restrictions
made by Purdue students.