Courses

This course deals with the basics of semi-conductor physics and all physical processes which are important to the function of a solar cell. At the same time, in particular, the optical characteristics of the semi-conductor, the trapping of light in the solar cell, the transport of electrons and holes as well as the recombination of charge carriers are considered. The course gives an introduction into the production and experimental characterization of solar cells. The physical limits of the efficiency levels of solar cells are calculated. The course is aimed at students of physics and engineering science from the fifth semester onwards.

The first part of this lecture deals with the fundamentals of semiconductor physics in connection with characterization
methods for semiconductor materials. One focus is on methods for characterizing defects in semiconductors and their effect on the electrical properties of the semiconductor. In the second part of the lecture, methods for the characterization
of solar cells are presented, including integral methods
such as spectral response as well as spatially resolved methods such as camera-based photoluminescence.

This course deals with the electronical and optical properties of semiconductors and their application in devices. The course includes in particular the following topics: band theory, intrinsic and extrinsic conduction, defects in semiconductors, recombination processes, carrier transport, pn-junctions, heterojunctions, metal-semiconductor junctions and semiconductor devices (diodes, transistors, photodiodes).

In this course students learn and deepen presentation techniques and literature research based on the issue of energy conversion from renewable and conventional sources. The focus lies on the physical fundamentals and processes for providing electrical power using renewable and conventional techniques. In the field of renewable energies, this includes wind, water and solar energy. In addition, we look at the structure, components and functionality of thermal power plants from a physical point of view. Different sources of thermal energy, such as combustion of fossil raw materials
and renewable heat sources, will also be dealt with.

This lecture course looks into basic semiconductor physics including charge carriers in semiconducting materials, current transport mechanisms and generation and recombination processes. This forms the base for the discussion the static and dynamic characteristics of pn-junctions, metal-semiconductor junctions and semiconductor heterojunctions including a brief introduction to optoelectronic devices. In a special workshop, students give short presentations on different types of diodes and their application. Bipolar junction transistors from basic principles to dynamics and hetero bipolar transistors are also covered.

This lecture course covers the basic principles of MOS-systems, the MOS capacitor and MOSFETs device physics from simple models to scaling issues of modern MOS technology generations. MOS-based memories like SRAM, DRAM, CCD and flash-memories are also discussed. In a laboratory workshop, students examine the characteristics of MOS capacitors and MOSFTEs.