University of Tripoli / Computer Engineering Department

EC 511 Midterm-Spring
2017 16th May, 2017
1
Time: 1 hour
4
Notes:
No mobile devices are allowed.
Do all problems.

1. What is the difference between a primitive cell and a unit cell? What is the utility of both
concepts? What is the difference between a lattice and a crystal? How many different 1-D
lattices can you have?
Primitive cell is a smallest cell that can be used periodically to construct the
crystal, it is not unique, but it must cover the entire volume of the crystal
Unit cell could be a larger cell used instead of the primitive cell if it can represent
the symmetry of the lattice better
Lattice is a symmetric array of points in space defining periodicity of a crystal
Crystal is a material with atoms arranged in a periodic structure
2. The work function of a metal is 4.6 eV. What retarding potential will be
required to reduce the photocurrent to zero in a photoelectric
experiment with Metal electrodes if the wavelength of incident light is
4220 ? Remember that an energy of q is lost by each electron in
escaping the surface.
3. In a particular semiconductor material, the effective density of states
functions are given by Nc = Nc0 (T/300)3/2 and Nv= Nv0 (T/300)3/2 where
Nc0 and Nv0 are constants independent of temperature. Experimentally
determined intrinsic carrier concentrations are found to be ni =
1.40X102 cm-3 at T = 200 K and ni =7.70X1010 cm-3 at T= 400 K.
Determine the product Nc0. Nv0 and the bandgap energy Eg. (Assume Eg
is constant over this temperature range.)

4. Consider two semiconductors in this problem

(a) The carrier effective masses in the first semiconductor are m n 1=1.21 mo and

m p 1=0.70 mo . Determine the position of the intrinsic Fermi level with respect to
the center of the bandgap at T = 300 K.

(b) Repeat part (a) for the second semiconductor if m n 2=0.080 m o and
mp 2=0.75 mo .
(c) Using the available information to you, draw a schematic diagram for the band
structure of the two semiconductors: assume the first one is direct and the second is
indirect, Also, show the effect of the effective mass on the curvature of the bands
edges.