Electrical Engineering MA, Semiconductor Detectors and Measurement Technology, 7.5 credits

Aim

The aim of the course is an in-depth understanding of detectors for measuring ionizing radiation, manufacturing processes for detectors, construction of measuring systems for ionizing radiation, and the function of a specific measuring system.

Course objectives

Upon the completion of the course the students should be able to:
- Demonstrate insight into what characterizes a semiconductor, e.g. by describing how the physical properties of a semiconductor are determined or calculating the charge carrier concentration in a semiconductor with Fermi Dirac statistics,
- Explain conduction and valence bands in a semiconductor, e.g. by describing generation and recombination processes in the band gap, applying band diagram for a p-n junction in equilibrium or using Poisson's equation to calculate electric field and potential for a one-dimensional structure,
- Describe a typical process for manufacturing a semiconductor detector, including proposing appropriate process steps with evaluation of important input parameters to achieve low leakage current, high resolution, and high sensitivity of the detector,
- Understand and describe the physical principles of ionizing radiation's interaction in detectors, motivate which choice of a semiconductor enables different types of ionizing radiation, and apply measurement principles for ionizing radiation in one's own continued work.

Content

The course includes:
Properties of crystalline semiconductor materials,
Energy bands and charge transport in semiconductors,
Charge carrier lifetime, diffusion and optical excitation,
1-dimensional model of p-n junctions,
Metal semiconductor connectors,
Detector processing,
Radiation interaction with matter,
Electron hole pair movement and resulting induced charge,
Properties of pixel detectors,
Scintillators,
Neutron detectors,
Readout electronics and pulse shaping,
Radiation hardness.

Entry requirements

Electrical Engineering MA, Sensors and Instrumentation, 6hp; alternatively Electrical Engineering BA, 60 credits.

Selection rules and procedures

The selection process is in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance and the local order of admission.

Teaching form

The teaching consists of lectures, seminars, exercises and laborations.

The estimated amount of work for the whole course is 200 hours. This means that in addition to scheduled teaching activities, students must independently perform extensive studies and work on the project assignment.

Examination form

L101: Laboratory exercises, 3 Credits
Grade scale: Fail (U) or Pass (G)

P101: Project with written report, 4.5 Credits
Grade scale: Seven-grade scale, A, B, C, D, E, Fx and F. Fx and F represent fail levels.

Grading criteria for the subject can be found at www.miun.se/gradingcriteria.

The examiner has the right to offer alternative examination arrangements to students who have been granted the right to special support by Mid Sweden University’s disabilities adviser.

Examination restrictions

Students are entitled to three examination opportunities within one year according to the examination format given in this version of the course syllabus. After the one-year period, the examination format given in the most recent version of the course syllabus applies.

Grading system

Seven-grade scale, A, B, C, D, E, Fx and F. Fx and F represent fail levels.