Homework 3

Due Thursday, Oct. 13

1. The electron concentration in silicon decreases linearly from 5x1016 cm-3 to 3x1014 cm-3
over a distance of 1 mm. The cross-sectional area of the sample is 0.05 cm2. The electron
diffusion coefficient is 25 cm2/s. Calculate the electron diffusion current (in mA).
2. Pierret Problem 3.1 a-h
3. Pierret Problem 3.12 for figures b and e

4. The sample has been uniformly illuminated with light for a long time. The optical
generation rate is GL = 1020 cm-3 sec-1. At t = 0, the light is switched off. Find the excess
minority carrier concentration vs. time for t > 0. Assume spatially uniform conditions,
and approach the problem as follows.
a. Simplify the Minority Carrier Diffusion Equation for this problem.
b. Specify the initial condition, as appropriate for this problem.
c. Solve the problem.
5. The sample is in the dark, but the excess carrier concentration at x = 0 is held constant at
n(0) = 1012 cm-3. Find the steady state excess minority carrier concentration vs.
position for x >= 0. You may assume that the sample extends to x = +. Make reasonable
approximations, and approach the problem as follows.
a. Simplify the Minority Carrier Diffusion Equation for this problem.
b. Specify the boundary conditions, as appropriate for this problem.
c. Solve the problem.