Faculty Publications

Computer Simulation of P-N Junction Devices

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book/Conference Title

American Journal of Physics

Volume

65

Issue

8

First Page

765

Last Page

773

Abstract

We present here a computer program - the Semiconductor Device Simulator - which simulates the working of three p-n junction devices: the light-emitting diode, the solar cell, and the tunnel diode. This program enables students to create the device starting with two pieces of intrinsic semiconductor material, and doping them appropriately to create a p-n junction device of their choice. While creating the device, students can observe the changes in the energy bands and Fermi level as a response to doping. The device, once created, can then be incorporated into a circuit where the students can observe the energy bands, the I-V graph, as well as the intensity spectrum of the device in response to the changes in applied voltage and/or incident light. No prior knowledge of higher level mathematics is required to use the program. The program is available for Windows™ and Macintosh™ platforms. The flexibility of the program allows it to be used by students over a range of academic levels. We have field tested the program along with associated materials in both high school and university environments. The current version of the program contains modifications based on these field tests. © 1997 American Association of Physics Teachers.

Department

Department of Physics

Original Publication Date

1-1-1997

DOI of published version

10.1119/1.18636

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