Syllabus for Engineering Physics

Module 1: Semiconductor Physics

Contact hours: 9

1. Semiconductors and charge carriers

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

2. P-N junction

   • Junction formation and Fermi levels
   • Energy-band diagram and qualitative charge flow
   • Forward and reverse bias
   • Diode equation (derivation) and V-I characteristics

Module 2: Semiconductor Devices

Contact hours: 9

1. Rectifiers and diodes

   • Half-wave and full-wave rectifiers
   • Zener characteristics and breakdown
   • Tunnel-diode characteristics
   • Applications of Zener and tunnel diodes

2. Photonic devices

   • Junction and PIN photodetectors and applications
   • Solar-cell V-I characteristics and efficiency
   • Stringing cells into a solar panel
   • LEDs and applications

Module 3: Superconductivity and Dielectrics

Contact hours: 9

1. Superconductivity

   • Superconductivity and transition temperature
   • Critical field and Meissner effect
   • Type I and Type II superconductors
   • Applications of superconductors

2. Dielectrics

   • Dielectric constant, polarization and relative permittivity
   • Relation between polarization and dielectric constant
   • Types of polarization
   • Internal fields in liquids and solids
   • Clausius-Mossotti relation
   • Dielectric loss and breakdown (qualitative)

Module 4: Laser and Fiber Optics

Contact hours: 9

1. Laser physics

   • Absorption, spontaneous emission and stimulated emission
   • Laser properties and conditions for sustained lasing
   • Population inversion, pumping and metastable states
   • Basic laser components
   • Ruby laser construction and working
   • Semiconductor laser (qualitative) and applications

2. Optical fibers

   • Principle of light propagation
   • Step-index and graded-index fibers
   • Numerical aperture (derivation)
   • Applications and fiber-optic communication system block diagram

Course objectives

1. Build a foundation in physics relevant to Electrical Science disciplines.
2. Relate physics concepts to electrical engineering and develop practical applications.

Course outcomes

1. Explain semiconductor physics and semiconductor devices.
2. Explain superconductivity and the basic theory of dielectrics.
3. Apply laser and fiber-optics principles in engineering.
4. Apply physics principles in experiments.

Assessment

Continuous Internal Evaluation (CIE)

• Attendance — 5 marks

• Continuous assessment — 10 marks

• Two written internal examinations — 10 marks each

• Internal 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.