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Syllabus for Physics for Information Science

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Contents · Module 1: Electrical conductivity and superconductivity
  1. Module 1: Electrical conductivity and superconductivity
  2. Module 2: Quantum mechanics
  3. Module 3: Semiconductor physics
  4. Module 4: Semiconductor and photonic devices
  5. Course outcomes and assessment
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Module 1: Electrical conductivity and superconductivity

Contact hours: 9

  1. Free-electron theory

    • Classical free-electron theory
    • Electrical conductivity in metals
    • Fermi–Dirac distribution and its variation with temperature
    • Fermi energy

  2. Energy bands and materials

    • Energy bands
    • Conductors, semiconductors and insulators

  3. Superconductivity

    • Transition temperature and critical field
    • Meissner effect
    • Type I and Type II superconductors
    • BCS theory and applications

Module 2: Quantum mechanics

Contact hours: 9

  1. Foundations

    • Uncertainty and conjugate observables (qualitative)
    • Uncertainty principle (statement)
    • Applications: absence of electrons inside the nucleus and natural line broadening

  2. Wave functions and Schrödinger equations

    • Properties and physical interpretation of the wave function
    • Time-dependent and time-independent Schrödinger equations

  3. Quantum models

    • Particle in a one-dimensional box: energy eigenvalues and normalized wave function
    • Quantum-mechanical tunnelling (qualitative)

Module 3: Semiconductor physics

Contact hours: 9

  1. Charge carriers

    • Intrinsic semiconductors
    • Electron and hole densities in the conduction and valence bands
    • Intrinsic carrier concentration and its temperature dependence
    • Extrinsic semiconductors (qualitative)

  2. The p–n junction

    • Junction formation and Fermi levels
    • Energy-band diagram
    • Charge flow across a junction
    • Forward and reverse bias
    • Diode equation and I–V characteristics

Module 4: Semiconductor and photonic devices

Contact hours: 9

  1. Semiconductor devices

    • Half-wave and full-wave rectifiers
    • Zener and tunnel diode I–V characteristics
    • Semiconductor laser: construction, working and applications

  2. Photonic devices

    • Junction and PIN photodetectors (qualitative)
    • Solar-cell I–V characteristics and efficiency
    • Connecting solar cells into a panel
    • LEDs and applications

Course objectives

  1. Build a foundation in physics relevant to information science and engineering.
  2. Connect theory with practical work and engineering applications.

Course outcomes

  1. Explain electrical conductivity and superconductivity.
  2. Explain matter at atomic and subatomic scales using quantum mechanics.
  3. Apply semiconductor physics in engineering.
  4. Describe semiconductor materials and devices.
  5. Use physics principles to carry out experiments.

Assessment

Continuous Internal Evaluation (CIE)

  • Attendance — 5 marks

  • Continuous assessment — 10 marks

  • Two written internal examinations — 10 marks each

  • Laboratory examination — 5 marks

End-Semester Examination (ESE): 60 marks

  • Part A: Eight questions, two from each module, carrying 3 marks each (24 marks). Answer all.

  • Part B: Two questions from each module; answer one full question from each module. Each carries 9 marks (36 marks).

  • Examination duration: 2 hours 30 minutes.