TEK9360 – Numerical Simulation of Solar Cells and Other Semiconductor Devices

The course aims at giving the student a thorough understanding of the following topics:

• Generation, transport and recombination processes in various semiconductor materials
• Numerical methods for solution of the fundamental semiconductor equations
• Simple numerical calculations using Matlab or other programming languages
• Simulation of advanced 2D and 3D device structures using suitable software
• Using lumped circuit-based approaches to simulate complete solar cells, modules and systems.
• Important design principles, how to find and use realistic input data
• Optimization and extraction of key parameters

The course will focus on solar cell simulation; Si, III/V, and II/VI.materials, CIGS and other thin films, and photodetectors, but will also include simulation of MOSFET transistors and other semiconductor components. Specific simulation assignments will be a central part of the course, and choice of device structures can be based on the students own projects.

As a PhD candidate you are expected to demonstrate additional insight into at least one of the topics. You should be able to read updated scientific literature in the field and present this to your fellow students.

PhD candidates from the University of Oslo should apply for classes and register for examinations through Studentweb.

If a course has limited intake capacity, priority will be given to PhD candidates who follow an individual education plan where this particular course is included. Some national researchers’ schools may have specific rules for ranking applicants for courses with limited intake capacity.

PhD candidates who have been admitted to another higher education institution must apply for a position as a visiting student within a given deadline.

The teaching includes 3 hours of lectures and colloquia per week throughout the semester.

There are mandatory assignments which must be approved in order to take the final exam.

As a PhD candidate you are expected to demonstrate additional insight into at least one of the topics. You should be able to read updated scientific literature in the field and present this to your fellow students.

There will be held an oral exam in the end of the semester, which counts for 100% in the grade assessment.

There are mandatory assignments which must be approved in order to take the final exam. As a ph.d candidate, the presentation on a spesific topic must also be approved in order to take the final exam. 

Students who can document a valid reason for absence from the regular examination are offered a postponed examination at the beginning of the next semester.

Re-scheduled examinations are not offered to students who withdraw during, or did not pass the original examination.