Electron and Ion Beam Characterization (Coursera)

Electron and Ion Beam Characterization (Coursera)

Electron and ion beams are widely used for both qualitative and quantitative analysis of semiconductor materials and devices. They can be used to image structures with sub-nm resolution and to provide information about elemental composition and dopant concentration. This course describes the fundamentals of electron and ion beam characterization and includes a project that analyzes the surface roughness of a solar cell.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see Coursera's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

This course is part of the Semiconductor Characterization Specialization.

What you'll learn

  • Explain the interaction of electron and ion beams with semiconductor materials.
  • Describe the constituent components of electron and ion beam characterization systems.
  • Describe applications of electron and ion beam characterization.

Syllabus

Course Introduction
Electron and ion beams are widely used for both qualitative and quantitative analysis of semiconductor materials and devices. They can be used to image structures with sub-nm resolution and to provide information about elemental composition and dopant concentration. This course describes the fundamentals of electron and ion beam characterization and includes a project that analyzes the surface roughness of a solar cell.

Week 4.1: Scanning Electron Microscopy
This week introduces the concepts of scanning electron microscopy and how it is used for both qualitative and quantitative sample analysis.

Week 4.2: Auger Electron Spectroscopy
This week, you will learn about Auger electron emission spectroscopy, a powerful technique for surface analysis.

Week 4.3: Secondary Ion Mass Spectroscopy
This week, you will learn about secondary ion mass spectroscopy and how it is used to measure the concentration and distribution of constituent materials in semiconductors.

Week 4.4: Course Wrap-up and Project
This week, you will complete a case study to assess your ability to use images obtained from an SEM for quantitative surface analysis.

Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Silicon Thin Film Solar Cells (Coursera) Coursera
École Polytechnique

Silicon Thin Film Solar Cells (Coursera)

This course consists of a general presentation of solar cells based on silicon thin films. It is the third MOOC of the photovoltaic series of Ecole polytechnique on Coursera. The general aspects of the photovoltaic field are treated in "Photovoltaic Solar Energy". And the detailed description of the crystalline silicon solar cells can be found in "Physics of Silicon Solar Cells".

Sep 7th 2026
3 Weeks
Introduction to Semiconductor Process 2 (Coursera) Coursera
Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology - KAIST

Introduction to Semiconductor Process 2 (Coursera)

This course aims to provide a general understanding of semiconductor process. This course explores the principles and basic theory of semiconductor device and process. Furthermore, the students will learn the overall semiconductor process such as oxidation, diffusion, ion implantation, lithography, etching, thin film deposition, plasma, metallization, and packaging.

Sep 21st 2026
5-12 Weeks
Semiconductor Fundamentals (edX) EdX
Purdue University,PurdueX

Semiconductor Fundamentals (edX)

From smartphones to satellites, semiconductors are everywhere. Tying together physics, chemistry, and electrical engineering, this easy-to-follow introduction provides the background needed to understand devices such as transistors and solar cells. This course provides the essential foundations required to understand the operation of semiconductor devices such as transistors, diodes, solar cells, light-emitting devices, and more.

Jan 9th 2023
5-12 Weeks
Synchrotrons and X-Ray Free Electron Lasers (part 2) (edX) EdX
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne,EPFLx

Synchrotrons and X-Ray Free Electron Lasers (part 2) (edX)

The first MOOC to provide an extensive introduction to synchrotron and XFEL facilities and associated techniques and applications. Are you interested in investigating materials and their properties with unsurpassed accuracy and fidelity? Synchrotrons and XFELs count as Science’s premier microscopic tool in scientific endeavours as diverse as molecular biology, environmental science, cultural heritage, catalytical chemistry, and the electronic properties of novel materials, to name but a few examples.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
The Diversity of Exoplanets (Coursera) Coursera
University of Geneva

The Diversity of Exoplanets (Coursera)

In this MOOC, you will have the opportunity to practice several methods of detection and characterisation of exoplanets. You will discover their statistical properties and the current state of knowledge we have in this very recent field of research. You will also understand the limitations and biases of the different detection techniques.

Sep 21st 2026
5-12 Weeks
Introduction to Semiconductor Devices 2 (Coursera) Coursera
Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology - KAIST

Introduction to Semiconductor Devices 2 (Coursera)

This course aims to provide a general understanding of semiconductor devices. This coures covers the Metal-Semiconductor Contact, Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (MOS) capapcitor, Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field Effect Transistors(MOSFETs), CMOS, Metal-Semiconductor Field Effect Transistors(MESFETs), Memory and Bipolar Junction Transistor (BJT) to improve the overall knowledge of semiconductor industry.

Sep 21st 2026
5-12 Weeks
Electrones en Acción: Electrónica y Arduinos para tus propios Inventos (Coursera) Coursera
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile

Electrones en Acción: Electrónica y Arduinos para tus propios Inventos (Coursera)

Este curso introduce al alumno a la electrónica y los Arduinos, comenzando desde lo más básico de un circuito eléctrico y finalizando con el diseño de circuitos de baja complejidad empleando dispositivos electrónicos programables. Durante el curso los alumnos aprenderán los fundamentos básicos de la electricidad y de la electrónica, conocerán los diferentes bloques empleados en el diseño de un circuito electrónico, aprenderán las bases del diseño de circuitos analógicos y digitales, y serán introducidos a la programación de estos últimos empleando la plataforma Arduino.

Sep 21st 2026
4 Weeks
Introduction to Physical Chemistry (Coursera) Coursera
University of Manchester

Introduction to Physical Chemistry (Coursera)

Chemical reactions underpin the production of pretty much everything in our modern world. But, what is the driving force behind reactions? Why do some reactions occur over geological time scales whilst others are so fast that we need femtosecond-pulsed lasers to study them? Ultimately, what is going on at the atomic level? Discover the answers to such fundamental questions and more on this course in introductory physical chemistry.

Sep 21st 2026
5-12 Weeks
Introduction to Semiconductor Devices 1 (Coursera) Coursera
Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology - KAIST

Introduction to Semiconductor Devices 1 (Coursera)

This course aims to provide a general understanding of semiconductor devices. This course explores the principles and the operation mechanism of semiconductor, such as charge transfer, p-n junction, junction capacitors, and Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field Effect Transistors(MOSFETs).

Sep 21st 2026
5-12 Weeks
Fundamentals of electron and ion microscopy (Coursera) Coursera
Saint Petersburg State University

Fundamentals of electron and ion microscopy (Coursera)

Electron and ion microscopy techniques are the most widespread tools for imaging and investigation of structural and functional properties of solid and soft matter on micro- and nanoscale, which applications are very broad : material science, microelectronics, nanotechnology, biology, forensics science and many others. This course represents the fundamentals on the working principles of all main components of the modern microscopes such as electron and ion optics as well as diverse signal detectors, on the physics of the particle interaction with the matter and of the image formation in different operation modes.

Apr 8th 2022
5-12 Weeks
Materials Science: 10 Things Every Engineer Should Know (Coursera) Coursera
University of California, Davis

Materials Science: 10 Things Every Engineer Should Know (Coursera)

We explore “10 things” that range from the menu of materials available to engineers in their profession to the many mechanical and electrical properties of materials important to their use in various engineering fields. We also discuss the principles behind the manufacturing of those materials. By the end of the course, you will be able to: recognize the important aspects of the materials used in modern engineering applications; explain the underlying principle of materials science: “structure leads to properties,”; identify the role of thermally activated processes in many of these important “things” – as illustrated by the Arrhenius relationship; relate each of these topics to issues that have arisen (or potentially could arise) in your life and work.

Sep 28th 2026
5-12 Weeks
AstroTech: The Science and Technology behind Astronomical Discovery (Coursera) Coursera
University of Edinburgh

AstroTech: The Science and Technology behind Astronomical Discovery (Coursera)

Modern astronomy has made some astonishing discoveries - how stars burn and how black holes form; galaxies from the edge of the universe and killer rocks right next door; where the elements come from and how the expanding universe is accelerating. But how do we know all that? The truth is that astronomy would be impossible without technology, and every advance in astronomy is really an advance in technology. But the technology by itself is not enough. We have to apply it critically with a knowledge of physics to unlock the secrets of the Universe.

Sep 21st 2026
5-12 Weeks