Outcomes: Students are able to apply physical and mathematical models to understand the behaviour of solid-state electronic and photonic devices, including understanding physical processes that are not directly observable and at times exhibiting behaviour contradictory to everyday experience; extend knowledge to more complex device mechanics and so predict how external factors may affect device performance; understand innovations and advances in the field of electronic and photonic devices; communicate effectively with others; and undertake continuous learning, realising that understanding the fundamentals can help maintain currency.

Content: This unit provides an understanding of the electron and photon behaviour—as particles and as waves; properties and carrier dynamics of electrons in solids, particularly in semiconductors; the behaviour of metal/semiconductor (ohmic and Schottky) and pn junctions; and the operation, modelling and design of bipolar transistors and photonic devices. The laboratory work reinforces lectures and develops experimental and report-writing skills.