Teaching
One of the truly wonderful facts about Lehigh is our strong commitment to the quality of graduate and undergraduate teachings, in addition to excellent graduate research. Excellent research, teaching, and education are the true values that should embody all research works at university; these are exactly the values promoted here at Lehigh University. I believe ideas and innovations realized in research laboratory should also find its path naturally to undergraduate students through courses or independent studies. In the past several years, Lehigh student body has consistently progressed to be among one of the most competitive groups with an average SAT score of 1320 for this incoming Class of 2009 (SAT average of 1380 for incoming engineering student), corresponding to an average increase of 11 points every years in the last 8 years. Proper research and educational trainings for both the undergraduate and graduate students here at Lehigh in the fields of semiconductor optoelectronics and semiconductor nanostructure devices are certainly very important to prepare these excellent group of students to become future scientists, engineers, and professors with significant future contributions in universities, industry, and research laboratories. Several courses that I have taught over the years are listed below with the syllabus attached in PDF format.
Course Works
ECE 350-11/450-11 (Syllabus in PDF)
Applied Quantum Mechanics for Engineers (3)
Taught: Fall 2004, Fall 2005, Fall 2006, Fall 2008, Fall 2009, Fall 2010, Fall 2011
Course Abstract:
This course covers the fundamentals of quantum mechanics, and applications of quantum mechanics to engineering and applied physics problems. Classical physics is an approximation of quantum physics, in the case that the dimensions of interest are many orders magnitude larger than those of atoms. Though classical physics can explain and approximate some of the phenomena quite accurately, in reality, our world is a quantum world and it should only be described with quantum physics. As the technology is rapidly moving toward the nano-scale dimension (so-called nanotechnology), classical physics fails to describe quantum phenomena observed in nanotechnology. Today, quantum mechanics have been the foundations of many applications in the fields of engineering, biology, chemistry, and others. Applications in the fields of engineering have included photonics, semiconductor lasers, semiconductor optoelectronic devices, resonant tunneling diodes, semiconductor transistors, quantum optics, and many other important novel applications that truly utilize quantum phenomena in their operation principles.
Quantum Mechanics have also been commonly thought as a difficult course, which is only intended for physics students. The advancement of nanotechnology has required engineers and applied scientists to fully understand quantum mechanics, and to appreciate and to apply the quantum ideas on engineering problems. The knowledge of quantum mechanics is essential and fundamental to provide engineers the strong knowledge for understanding quantum devices based on semiconductor nanostructure, and the knowledge to utilize this knowledge for exploring new semiconductor nanostructure devices utilizing quantum phenomena.
The purpose of this course for engineers and applied physicists is 1) to provide strong, essential, important methods and foundations of quantum mechanics, and 2) to understand the fundamental principle operations of various applications in semiconductor nanostructure and heterostructure devices. This course will apply quantum mechanics on engineering fields, in particular related to semiconductor electronic-optoelectronic devices, and semiconductor nanostructure & heterostructure devices.
The course is intended for upper-level undergraduate (junior/senior, for ECE 350-level) or first-year graduate students (for ECE 450-level) in engineering (Electical and Computer Engineering, Material Science Engineering, and other related engineering) and applied physics areas, who are intending to understand and apply quantum mechanics in the fundamentals underlying the operation principles of modern electronic and optoelectronic semiconductor devices, and semiconductor nanoelectronic and nano-optoelectronic devices.
ECE 350/450 (Syllabus in PDF)
Physics and Applications of Photonic Crystals (3)
Taught: Fall 2003
Course Abstract:
The course will emphasize on the fundamental physics of linear- and nonlinear-photonic-crystals, challenges in fabrication of photonic crystals material and devices, and various applications of photonic crystal devices. Photonic crystal structures allow the ability to engineer the electromagnetic properties of various materials by creating a photonic band gap. Linear and nonlinear photonic crystals allow various applications in molding the flow of light, which were otherwise not possible. Simulations would also be utilized for homework and projects. Applications of both linear and nonlinear photonic crystals devices will be extensively covered. This course is intended for upper-undergraduate and first-year graduate students in electrical engineering, physics, material science engineering, and others, who are interested in photonics & semiconductor optoelectronics. Strong background in undergraduate-level electromagnetic, optoelectronics, and semiconductor devices is required.
Prerequisite: ECE courses in ‘Upper-Level Electromagnetics’, ‘Integrated Optics’.
ECE 308 (Syllabus in PDF)
Physics and Models of Semiconductor Electronics and Optoelectronics Devices (3)
Taught: Spring 2004 and Spring 2005
The course will cover all the chapters in the above textbook with the following topics:
1. Introduction: Integrated Circuits (Chapter 1)
2. Electrons in Solids (Chapter 2)
3. Carrier Transport and Recombination (Chapter 3)
4. p-n junctions (Chapter 4 & 5)
5. Schottky Barrier Devices (Chapter 6)
6. MOS Devices: Capacitors, CCD, and FETs (Chapter 7, 8)
7. Bipolar Transistors (Chapter 9) – Optional
8. Semiconductor Heterostructure (Lecture Notes)
9. Semiconductor Optoelectronic Devices: Lasers, LEDs, Photodiodes, and Solar Cells (Handouts and Lecture notes)
ECE 203 (Syllabus in PDF)
Engineering Electromagnetics Waves (3)
Taught: Spring 2006, Spring 2007, Spring 2008, Spring 2009, Spring 2010, Spring 2011, Spring 2012
Course Abstract:
The ECE 203 course is a continuation of ECE 202, which is an Introduction to Electromagnetics (EM) I. The first introductory electromagnetics course ECE 202 covers the electrostatic and magnetostatic, with emphasis of introducing the general concepts of Gauss’ Law, Ampere’s Law, Faraday’s Law, and absence of magnetic monopole. Several relevant concepts of importance discussed previously in ECE 202 are vector analysis / calculus, and boundary value problems. In the ECE 203, we will emphasis on the Electromagnetic Waves. Instead of analyzing a static condition of the EM problems, we will develop the theory of how time-varying EM waves moves in media. The dynamical property of EM waves is governed by Maxwell’s equation. We will present the relevance of EM theory in the modern applications, in particular in wireless communications, optical communications, photonics, optoelectronics, nanophotonics, and biotechnology.
After starting with a brief review of electrostatic and magnetostatic, we will present how time varying EM waves and Maxwell’s equation are derived. This will be followed by the analysis to understand how EM waves travels in unbounded media. The reflection, transmission, and refraction of EM waves will then be analyzed at planar interfaces. The transfer of EM energy using several waveguides such as parallel-plate, dielectric slab, and cylindrical waveguides will also be analyzed. The confinement of EM energy will be discussed in the context of cavity resonators. The antennas and radiation of EM energy will also be analyzed. Introductory computational EM methods will also be presented. Several applications based on wireless communications, photonic and optoelectronics devices, and transmission lines will be given. Advanced special topics on negative refractive index materials, meta-materials, and transfer matrix approach will also be presented, if time permits.
The course will cover all the chapters in the above textbook with the following topics:
1. Review of Vector Analysis / Calculus, Electrostatic & Magnetostatic (ECE 202).
2. Time-Varying Electromagnetics and Dynamic Fields
3. Maxwell’s Equation
4.Plane Waves and Waves in Unbounded Medium
5.Reflection, Transmission, and Refraction of Waves at Planar Interfaces (Conductors, Dielectric, Lossless and Lossy Media)
6. Waveguides
7. Antenna
8. Applications: Photonic Devices, Transmission Lines, Microwave Engineering
9.Special Topics (negative index, meta materials, and other interesting research topics)
ECE 202 (Syllabus in PDF)
Introduction to Engineering Electromagnetics (3)
Taught: Fall 2006
Course Abstract:
The ECE 202 course is the first sequence of the engineering electromagnetics course, which will be followed by ECE 203 (Electromagnetics Waves, EM II). The first introductory electromagnetics course ECE 202 covers the vector algebra / calculus, electrostatic, boundary value problems, magnetostatic, electric fields and magnetic fields in materials, and time-varying EM theory. Several emphasis includes the general concepts of Gauss’ Law, Ampere’s Law, Faraday’s Law, absence of magnetic monopole, and boundary value problems. We will present the relevance of EM theory in the modern applications, in particular in wireless communications, optical communications, photonics, optoelectronics, nanophotonics, and biotechnology.
Topics will cover the following:
1. Electromagnetisms in the 21st Century and Beyond!
2. Vector Algebra
3. Vector Calculus
4. Coulomb’s Law and Electric Field
5. Gauss’ Law and Electric Potential
6. Boundary Value Problems: Analytical Methods
7. Steady Electric Current
8. Static Magnetic Field
9. Magnetic Materials and Properties
10. Faraday’s Law and Induction
11. Maxwell’s Equations
The goals from this course:
You would be able to understand the device physics and the operating principles of basic semiconductor electronic devices in microelectronic integrated circuits.
You would be introduced to the basic device physics of semiconductor optoelectronic devices.
ECE 451 (Syllabus in PDF)
Physics of Semiconductor Devices
Electronics and Optoelectronics Properties of Semiconductors (3)
Taught: Fall 2010, Fall 2011, Fall 2012
This course covers the fundamental physics of semiconductors, in particular covering the electronic and optoelectronic properties of semiconductors as well as the device physics for novel semiconductor structures. The course will start with the discussion on the crystal structure and fabrication method, in particular focusing on the state of the art fabrication approach. The course will then move to the development of the electronic band structure properties in semiconductors, as well as strain and nanostructure effects on band structures. The transport properties will be clarified in the context of Boltzmann Transport Equation approximation, as well as the various carrier-carrier and defect scattering processes. The phonon scattering process will be clarified, and application in thermoelectric devices will be discussed. The topic on velocity-field transport will be discussed, and followed by discussion on coherence, disorder, and mesoscopic effects in semiconductors. The optical and optoelectronics characteristics of semiconductor will be discussed, and various device applications will be provided. The excitonic effects in semiconductors will be discussed, as well as the effect of magnetic fields on semiconductors. The polarization fields, self-consistent 6-band k.p method, gain calculation, and various analyses on lasers and light-emitting diodes will be discussed.