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

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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."

This course is part of the Nanoscience and Technology MicroMasters.

What you'll learn

- Ballistic and diffusive conductance

- Density of states

- Number of modes

- Conductivity

- Landauer formula

Syllabus

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