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PurdueX: Fundamentals of Current Flow

Gain a new perspective on electron flow in solids with this insightful introduction.

5 weeks
5–6 hours per week
Instructor-paced
Instructor-led on a course schedule
This course is archived
Fundamentals of Current Flow

About this course

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Very different from what is taught in standard courses, "Fundamentals of Current Flow" provides a unified conceptual framework for ballistic and diffusive transport of both electrons and phonons - essential information for understanding nanoelectronic devices.

The traditional description of electronic motion through a solid is based on diffusive transport, which means that the electron takes a random walk from the source to the drain of a transistor, for example. However, modern nanoelectronic devices often have channel lengths comparable to a mean free path so that electrons travel ballistically, or "like a bullet."

Verified students taking this course will be required to complete three (3) proctored exams using the edX online Proctortrack software. To be sure your computer is compatible, see Proctortrack Technical Requirements.

Nanoscience and Technology MicroMasters ®

Fundamentals of Current Flow is one course in a growing suite of unique, 1-credit-hour short courses developed in an edX/Purdue University collaboration. Students may elect to pursue a verified certificate for this specific course alone or as one of the six courses needed for the edX/Purdue MicroMasters® program in Nanoscience and Technology.

For further information and other courses offered, see the Nanoscience and Technology MicroMasters® page. Courses like this can also apply toward a Purdue University MSECE degree for students accepted into the full master’s program.

At a glance

  • Institution: PurdueX
  • Subject: Electronics
  • Level: Advanced
  • Prerequisites:

    Students in engineering or the physical sciences, knowledge of differential equations and linear algebra.

  • Language: English
  • Video Transcript: English
  • Associated programs:
  • Associated skills:Conceptual Framework, Transistor

What you'll learn

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  • Ballistic and diffusive conductance
  • Density of states
  • Number of modes
  • Conductivity
  • Landauer formula

Syllabus

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Week 1: The New Perspective

1.1 Introduction
1.2 Two Key Concepts
1.3 Why Electrons Flow
1.4 Conductance Formula
1.5 Ballistic (B) Conductance

Week 2: The New Perspective (Continued)

1.6 Diffusive (D) Conductance
1.7 Connecting B to D
1.8 Angular Averaging
1.9 Drude Formula
1.10 Summing Up

Week 3: Energy Band Model

2.1. Introduction
2.2. E(p) or E(k) Relation
2.3. Counting States
2.4. Density of States
2.5. Number of Modes

Week 4: Energy Band Model (Continued)

2.6. Electron Density (n)
2.7. Conductivity vs. n
2.8 - 2.9 Bonus Lectures; NOT covered on exams
2.10 Summing Up

Week 5: What and Where is the Voltage

3.1 Introduction
3.2 A New Boundary Condition
3.3 Quasi-Fermi Levels (QFL's)
3.4 Current from QFL's
3.5 Landauer Formulas
3.6 - 3.10 Bonus Lectures; NOT covered on exams

Epilog: Looking Forward-From Semiclassical to Quantum; Bonus Lectures; NOT covered on exams

Text: S. Datta, "Lessons from Nanoelectronics", Part A: Basic Concepts,
World Scientific, Second Edition 2017

The manuscript will be available for download on the course's website.

Learner testimonials

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"This is one of the best courses I ever had. Best wishes to Prof. Datta for being such a wonderful teacher. We want more courses like this in future. " - Mainul28

"Thank you for this amazing course. I had a really good time learning. The course TAs were amazing and of course, Dr. Datta made the subject not only simple but very interesting. I will definitely start reading a book or two on nanoelectronics to improve my grasp of the subject. Hope the next course is just as amazing. " - Surajjoshi666

Who can take this course?

Unfortunately, learners residing in one or more of the following countries or regions will not be able to register for this course: Iran, Cuba and the Crimea region of Ukraine. While edX has sought licenses from the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) to offer our courses to learners in these countries and regions, the licenses we have received are not broad enough to allow us to offer this course in all locations. edX truly regrets that U.S. sanctions prevent us from offering all of our courses to everyone, no matter where they live.

This course is part of Nanoscience and Technology MicroMasters Program

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Expert instruction
6 graduate-level courses
Instructor-led
Assignments and exams have specific due dates
8 months
7 - 9 hours per week

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Certificate

Free

Price

$833.33 USD

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World-class institutions and universities

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Shareable certificate upon completion

Graded assignments and exams

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