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Fundamentals of Current Flow

edX, Online
Length
5 weeks
Next course start
Start anytime See details
Course delivery
Self-Paced Online
Length
5 weeks
Next course start
Start anytime See details
Course delivery
Self-Paced Online
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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.

Upcoming start dates

1 start date available

Start anytime

  • Self-Paced Online
  • Online
  • English

Suitability - Who should attend?

Prerequisites:

Students in engineering or the physical sciences, knowledge of differential equations and linear algebra.

Outcome / Qualification etc.

What you'll learn

  • Ballistic and diffusive conductance
  • Density of states
  • Number of modes
  • Conductivity
  • Landauer formula

Training Course 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

Expenses

  • Verified Track -$750
  • Audit Track - Free
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