To prepare for this weeks classes, reading about chemical potential (or Fermi energy) and its relationship to carrier density and "doping" will be very useful. This weeks classes will focus on exploring and understanding the relationship between chemical potential and the number of occupied states in the conduction band (or unoccupied states in the valence band), i.e.,the relationship between chemical potential and carrier density in semiconductors. This will prepare us to understand a p-n junction, the iconic structure in which hole-doped and electron-doped regions meet and say, "this semiconductor ain't big enough for both of us."
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Homework 1 (parts I and II) and quiz 1 are due Thursday.
-In general, homework may be assigned on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday (on the web) and will be due on Tuesday and Thursday. Generally you will have a week, or sometimes more if the problems are especially difficult, to work on an assignment. (Assignments will overlap.) The problems will range in difficulty from not-that-difficult to very-very-challenging. Feel free to seek help from classmates in person or by posting questions on the web site. If you are confused other people probably are also; asking/formulating questions is a great way to learn, and the dialogue that follows questions from one student's question or comment can help everyone.
Please initiate and contribute to dialogue.
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