Electronic Devices and Semiconductor Manufacturing Commons^™

Application Of Matlab Simulation For Quantum Wells And Absorption Modelling, Mohamed Nur

Electrical Engineering Theses

The Quantum-Well User Entered Simulation Tool (QUEST), originally developed at the University of Texas at Arlington in 2005, is a simulation program built in MATLAB for computing energy eigenvalues and wavefunctions in user-defined semiconductor quantum well structures. This thesis presents a new revision and extension of QUEST with three primary contributions: compatibility updates to the existing MATLAB codebase, intersubband absorption modelling, and a redesigned graphical user interface for ease-of-use in testing.

The modernization effort for this program addresses incompatibilities introduced by changes to the MATLAB runtime environment since QUEST’s original release in 2005, including corrections to the self-consistent Schrödinger-Poisson solver …

The Design And Analysis Of Robust Mems Devices For Extreme Space Environments, Joshua Taggart

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The purpose of this study is to analyze aluminum nitride (AlN) micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) resonators designed for extreme-environment applications. The devices of study are Lamb wave, piezoelectric resonators designed and fabricated using conventional semiconductor manufacturing processes and operating around various frequencies in the megahertz range. The purpose of this study is to advance understanding of MEMS devices in extreme-temperature and radiated environments for outer-space applications.

Devices were tested under vacuum at temperatures ranging from room temperature (~21°C) to 800°C. Under these conditions, the device was measured both as a resonator and in an oscillator circuit. Results show that the resonant …

Numerical Analysis And Simulation Of Enhanced Performance In Nanowire Cds/Cdte Solar Cells: A Pathway To Greater Than 25% Efficient Cdte Solar Cell, Riasad Badhan

Theses and Dissertations--Electrical and Computer Engineering

This Thesis finds a pathway to a significantly high-efficient CdTe based solar cell by demonstrating and harvesting the advantages of a nano-structure configuration in CdTe based solar cells. Nanowire CdS window layer and the “control”, planar CdS window layer films were fabricated in the laboratory and compared for their optical transmission and other characteristics affecting the performance of the CdS-CdTe solar cell. Numerical simulations were performed for a comparative evaluation of the embedded nanowire CdS-CdTe solar cell device and the traditional planar CdS-CdTe solar cell device. Experimentally measured spectral transmission of nanowire CdS film was used in the simulation environment. …

Design Of Energy-Efficient, Scalable, And Flexible Tensor Processing Architectures With Electro-Photonic Integrated Circuits, Oluwaseun Alo

Theses and Dissertations--Electrical and Computer Engineering

In recent years, artificial intelligence has achieved remarkable success across domains such as computer vision, natural language processing, and scientific computing. This progress has been driven largely by advances in deep learning, particularly deep neural networks (DNNs), including convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and transformer-based models. While these models deliver unprecedented accuracy, often surpassing human performance, their computational complexity continues to grow rapidly due to multibillion- and trillion-parameter designs. As model sizes and deployment scales expand, the demand for energy-efficient and high-throughput hardware accelerators has intensified. Conventional electronic platforms based on CPUs, GPUs, ASICs, and FPGAs are increasingly constrained by the …

Nanomagnet Based Reservoir Computing And Quantum Control, Fahim F. Chowdhury

Theses and Dissertations

Conventional CMOS scaling has driven remarkable advances in computing but faces increasing physical and energy constraints, motivating alternative computing paradigms that integrate memory and computation while improving energy efficiency. Nanoscale magnetic systems offer a promising platform for such approaches because their intrinsic nonlinear dynamics and localized magnetic fields can support both classical and quantum information processing. This thesis investigates nanomagnetic systems for physical reservoir computing and, with primary emphasis, for localized quantum control of spin qubits.

The first part explores dipole-coupled nanomagnet arrays as physical reservoirs. Micromagnetic simulations demonstrate nonlinear dynamical behavior with high short-term memory and parity-check capacity, enabling …

Development Of Alternative Plasma Etching Techniques For The Selective Removal Of Tan With Respect To Sioch Dielectric Materials To Enable Future Back-End-Of-The-Line Scaling, Ivo Otto Iv

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

Transistor scaling has continued according to Moore’s Law for over fifty years. As transistor size decreases, adequate power delivery is required to enable transistor scaling without performance loss. Power delivery is provided by a metal interconnect network with insulating dielectric that connects the transistor level to the power source, the signal speed within this metal line network limiting transistor level switching speeds. Reduction of signal delay has moved from primarily dimension-based improvement towards adoption of conductor and dielectric materials with lower resistivity and a reduced dielectric constant value, respectively: transitioning from Al/SiO₂ to Cu/low-κ SiOCH. With this transition comes …

Next-Generation Computing Hardware: Advancements In Tantalum Oxide Reram For Ai And Neuromorphic Applications, Rajas Ravindra Mathkari

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

The rapid development of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data-intensive computing has exposed the fundamental limitations of conventional von Neumann architectures, in which energy and time are continuously lost transferring data between physically separate memory and processing units. In contrast, the human brain performs complex computations directly at the point of memory storage through billions of parallel synaptic connections, a paradigm known as in-memory computing. Realizing this in hardware requires memory devices that are fast, energy-efficient, non-volatile, and capable of storing multiple resistance levels in an analog manner. Resistive Random Access Memory (ReRAM) based on tantalum oxide (TaOx) is one …

High-Performance Circuit Manufacturing And Testing Exercises, Benjamin S. Keppers

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

An advanced demonstrator Printed Circuit Board (PCB) has been designed and implemented providing a framework for advancing students’ knowledge in hands-on PCB design and manufacturing process through industry recognized test coupons, stack ups, and transmission lines. Students are guided through several key aspects of design and simulation relating to manufacturing and qualifications. Manufacturing allows students to refine process development and analyze performance data with respect to qualification tests specified by Global Electronics Association standards. Results are then used to build a stackup model, and complete a design activity for calculating expected test results for a series of controlled impedance electrical …

Comparative Analysis Of Ev-Charging Converters Using Silicon Carbide Mosfets And Silicon Igbt’S, Muhammad A. Kahn

Electrical Engineering Theses

The rapid expansion of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure has increased the demand for efficient and reliable power electronic converters. Semiconductor device selection is critical to system performance, influencing efficiency, power density, and reliability. This thesis presents a comparative analysis of Silicon (Si) Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors (IGBTs) and Silicon Carbide (SiC) MOSFETs in a representative EV charging converter, with emphasis on electrical performance and thermal behavior under identical operating conditions.

The research employs PLECS (Plexim) and electro-thermal simulation models to accurately characterize device and system interactions. The converter configuration consists of a grid-connected voltage source inverter (VSI) that maintains …

“Bridging The Gap To Midwave Infrared Event-Based Sensors: Design, Sensitivity, And Radiation-Hardness Characterization Of A Single-Pixel Iii-V Event-Based Infrared Sensor For Space Applications, Zinah M. Alsaad

Electrical and Computer Engineering ETDs

Event-based sensing presents a revolutionary paradigm shift for next-generation space surveillance systems, where power consumption is an ever-worsening constraint as temporal resolution demands increase. In addition to reduced power consumption, low latency, and wide dynamic range, the event-based sensor fundamentally only produces data when there is a change in illumination from which events are generated; no data is produced if the scene remains static. With their event-based datastream being inherently focused on the dynamic information of the scene, they are particularly well-suited to machine vision and autonomous sensing applications. While these sensors have many compelling advantages, there are presently no …

Test Data: Raised Or Recessed? Finding The Optimal Gate Architecture For Improving The Static Performance Of Graphene Transistors, Ivan Puchades, Tzu-Jung Huang, Andrew Spencer, Luke Ingraham, Anibal Pacheco

Data

As silicon CMOS technology approaches its scaling limits, graphene offers a compelling alternative as the active material channel in transistors due to its high carrier mobility and atomically thin profile, which provide strong electrostatic control and promise high-performance analog applications. However, roadblocks such as device-to-device variation, high contact resistance, poor dielectric interfaces, and non-uniform graphene quality have limited the adoption of graphene field effect transistors (GFETs). Hence, further investigations are required for mitigating these issues at a material, e.g., by improving graphene transfer, and device level, e.g., by finding an appropriate gate architecture. In this work, we directly compare two …

Exploratory Study Of Semiconductor Nanomembranes In Em Applications, Grant D. Heileman

Electrical and Computer Engineering ETDs

Antenna systems are a cornerstone of modern technologies, playing an increasingly vital role in their advancement. As demand for compact, high-performance, and adaptable communication platforms grows reconfigurable antenna technologies are becoming essential. This research explores a novel front-end reconfigurable antenna system (FERAS) architecture that leverages the mechanical flexibility and photoconductive behavior of semiconductor nanomembrane (SNM) devices. By exploiting the emergent properties of ultra-thin silicon (Si) or gallium arsenide (GaAs) nanomaterials and optically exciting these samples using vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) arrays, this study develops lightweight, low-cost, deployable antenna structures for satellite communications, remote sensing, GPS, and radar. Despite their significant …

Design And Performance Analysis Of A Frequency-Reconfigurable Rectangular Patch Antenna With Dual-Slot Defected Ground Structure For Gsm Band, Sara Abdelbaset, Ashraf Khalaf, Amr Hussien, Ahmed A. Kabeel

Journal of Engineering Research

In this paper, an innovative frequency-tunable rectangular patch antenna is presented, featuring interlaced circular and U-shaped narrow slots, combined with a rectangular-shaped defected ground structure (DGS). This design is specifically developed to produce radiation patterns similar to those of traditional dipole antennas. The integration of the rectangular DGS with three RF varactor diodes, along with two equivalent microstrip conductors, enables a tunable operating frequency band that ranges from 1.08 GHz to 1.7 GHz, achieving a total bandwidth of 0.62 GHz. The DC biasing network connected to the three RF varactor diodes is utilized to finely tune and adjust the resonance …

A Tailored Analog-To-Digital Converter Architecture For Optimal Performance In Troponin Cardiac Protein Detection, Karem Abdelgawad, Sameh O. Abdellatif

Electrical Engineering

In recent years, the detection of troponin cardiac proteins has emerged as a crucial component in the diagnosis and management of acute coronary syndromes. This paper presents a tailored analog-to digital converter(ADC) architecture specifically designed to enhance the performance of diagnostic systems for troponin detection. Utilizing a 180 nm CMOS process technology, the developed 8-bit Successive Approximation Register(SAR) ADC integrates key components, including a preamplifier, comparator, and a digital-to-analog converter(DAC), to optimize signal processing and ensure accurate data conversion from analog to digital formats. The ADC architecture is evaluated for its ability to achieve a substantial sampling rate of 10 …

Scalable And Adaptive Agile Framework For Semiconductor Foundry: Advanced Packaging And Heterogeneous Integration Perspective, Pravin Thorat

Harrisburg University Dissertations and Theses

This research addressed the critical requirement for a scalable and adaptive agile framework specifically designed for the unique demands of semiconductor foundries specializing in advanced packaging and heterogeneous integration (HI). The semiconductor industry was encountering growing pressure to innovate and respond quickly to rapidly evolving demands, yet traditional manufacturing processes often struggled to adapt. Existing agile frameworks, mainly developed for the software industry, lacked the necessary adaptations to address the complexities of semiconductor manufacturing, including extended lead times, high capital investment, rigorous quality requirements, and the integration of various technologies. This research gap hindered the ability of semiconductor foundries to …

Low Energy Ion Irradiation Effects In Electronic Devices And Materials, David C. Mccall

All Dissertations

The physics and engineering of ion-solid interactions are governed by the ion beam characteristics (flux, charge, energy) and target(s) in question. Here I present work on two projects related to the extraction of a high flux of low charge state Argon ions from a commercial plasma source and the irradiation of an engineered target, a transistor, with high charge state Argon ions.

An end-Hall ion source that produces a a high current plasma of ions and electrons in a rough vacuum environment is characterized. Using a Langmuir probe and multiple pressure measurements, the ion and electron content of the source …

Self-Poled P(Vdf-Trfe) Based Composites For Energy Harvesting And Wearable Sensor Applications, Lavanya Muthusamy

All Dissertations

The growing demand for flexible, low-power, and self-powered wearable electronic systems has accelerated research interest in polymer-based sensors and energy harvesting technologies. Among piezoelectric polymer materials, Poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoro ethylene) [P(VDF-TrFE)], over the years, has garnered significant attention due to its unique piezoelectric properties, high dielectric constant, mechanical flexibility, thermal stability, chemical resistance, biocompatibility and compatibility with scalable fabrication processes. Despite its advantages, conventional P(VDF-TrFE)-based devices often require external poling and face limitations in integration with low-cost, flexible substrates. To overcome these limitations, this research study explores the nanofiller approach, along with facile fabrication processes, and structural design strategies aimed at …

Enhanced Energy Harvesting From Nf-Pvdf Piezoelectric Material For Wearable Electronics: I– V Characterization And Charge-Discharge Performance, Ahmed Emara, Afaf Farag, Gehad Ali, Mohamed Mamdouh, Sameh O. Abdellatif, Khaled Nassar, Tamer Hamoud

Electrical Engineering

This study explores the utilization of fabricated piezoelectric polyvinylidene fluoride nanofiber (NF-PVDF) materials in wearable electronic sensing applications by investigating their current-voltage ( I − V ) characteristics under controlled ultra-low-frequency excitation forces. The results demonstrate a significant power harvesting capability, achieving an output power of 0.12 µW/mm2 at an operating point of 5.04 V and 7.7 µA. Additionally, the piezoelectric harvester was integrated into a charging-discharge circuit alongside a rectifier capacitor and a typical IoT wearable sensor, leveraging the advantages of a flexible substrate. Experimental measurements of the charging and discharging curves confirm the effective energy management of the …

Unified Hybrid Censoring Samples From Power Pratibha Distribution And Its Applications, Mahmoud Mansour, Hebatalla H. Mohammad Dr, Khalaf S. Sultan Prof.

Basic Science Engineering

This paper suggests an extensive inferential method for the Power Pratibha Distribution (PPD) under Unified Hybrid Censoring Schemes (UHCSs), since there is a growing interest in flexible models in both reliability and service operations. This work studies the PPD model using standard Maximum Likelihood Estimation methods and modern Bayesian approaches too. Using a complex architecture, UHCS simulates tests more closely to what is done in practice than by using more basic censoring schemes. Using analysis, the probability and statistical ranges are carefully calculated for the parameters. Tests demonstrate that Bayesian estimation gives better results than many other methods for estimation, …

Unveiling Degradation Patterns In Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells: A Machine Learning Perspective, Ahmed Alali, Mahmoud Ashraf, Ahmad Muhammad, Sameh O. Abdellatif

Electrical Engineering

This study examines the time-dependent degradation of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) by systematically investigating several critical parameters, including TiO2 thickness, porosity, dye concentration, and iodine-based electrolyte concentration. We developed a novel figure of merit (FOM) to quantify the degradation rates, utilizing a finite element model (FEM) in COMSOL to simulate performance over time. 400 DSSC samples were fabricated, resulting in a comprehensive dataset comprising over 228,000 data points derived from experimental results and simulations. The findings reveal that PCE declines significantly over time, with an average initial efficiency of 4.0% for the DSSCs, dropping to approximately 0.5% after 360 h. …