Physics and Materials Engineering for Microelectronics and Nanotechnology (PHYMATECH)

This module covers the fundamentals of the physics and technology of semiconductor-based components. Most of the course unit focuses on the physics of the components. Drawing on the equations that describe the properties of materials, the main types of junctions are examined (p/n, metal/semiconductor, MIS). Based on this knowledge, the operation of basic components (diodes, transistors) is explained. In the second part, the fundamental building blocks of component manufacturing processes are presented.

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English tutorial course for students in the Master's 1 Physics program who are working toward professional proficiency in scientific English.

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This course is one of the cornerstones of modern physics. It provides a body of knowledge that is strictly necessary for all physics tracks, as it lays the groundwork for the theoretical description of the interaction between the electromagnetic field and elementary quantum systems such as two-level systems, atoms, and molecules. It also provides the knowledge necessary for understanding lasers, modern optical devices, and spectroscopic methods and analyses.

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The purpose of this module is to enable students to compare experimental results with their theoretical knowledge. Particular attention is given to writing up results and presenting them in the form of oral presentations. The work is organized into an eight-hour session for which the students choose a topic. They record their results and analyses in a lab notebook modeled after the protocols used in laboratories. At the end of the semester, students select a topic, which they develop into a final report that they defend orally. This course serves as preparation for the internships students will complete during their program.

Examples of available experiments: optical spectroscopy (IR, visible), gamma, X-ray, and acoustic spectroscopy; low-temperature photoluminescence; near-field spectroscopy (AFM, STM); electron microscopy...

The range of experiments offered covers the areas of physics taught in the various physics tracks. Students must choose from among these experiments those that best align with their interests. Significant effort is made to incorporate new data-acquisition technologies and the use of computer tools to compare experimental results with theory.

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Through two specific examples (X-ray diffraction and vibrations), this module shows in detail how the physical properties of a solid are modeled. The formalism will also be applied to finite systems, such as nanoparticles, and will remain valid for amorphous materials; however, special attention will be given to periodic systems (ranging from linear chains to protein crystals, including graphene and silicon). The concept of reciprocal lattice will naturally arise in connection with this periodicity.

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This course unit covers a review and in-depth exploration of programming techniques, as well as an introduction to computational physics. We will begin with a review of procedural programming using Python 3. We will then take an in-depth look at numerical methods relevant to physics, studying a selection of classical algorithms from numerical analysis and applying them to physics problems.

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The EU course “Condensed Matter Physics 2: Electronic Properties” is intended for students interested in solid-state physics.

Following on from the course unit “Condensed Matter Physics 1: Structural Properties,” this course unit covers the properties of electrons in crystalline solids, the band structure of electronic energy levels, and the basic concepts of semiconductor physics.

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Modern experimental physics generally requires the setup of a data acquisition system of varying complexity involving different types of instruments—such as sources, sensors, actuators, etc.—and a controller (such as a computer). The objective of this course unit is to familiarize students with this type of problem so that they can set up such a data acquisition system. On the controller side, the control logic will be implemented in Python (specifically using the PyVisa library).  

- Overview of the most common communication interfaces/ports: serial (RS-232, USB), parallel (GPIB), and network (Ethernet) (CM).

- Implementation of simple examples of communication, device configuration, and data acquisition (lab).

- Development of a more comprehensive data acquisition system through projects (practical training). 

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This module focuses, on the one hand, on the physical understanding of light emission and absorption processes in semiconductor devices, and, on the other hand, on the technologies used to manufacture such devices. These topics are applied in the cleanroom project, which involves the fabrication and subsequent characterization of an optoelectronic component.

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Knowing how to collect and process data are essential skills in a scientific and/or technical professional setting. The objective of this course is to address, as effectively as possible, three types of standard professional skills:

· Advanced use of spreadsheets and graphing software (MS Excel, LO-CALC) for scientific and technical purposes

· Network interconnections: infrastructure, the TCP/IP protocol suite, security

· Introduction to relational databases (MS Access, LO-BASE) – concepts and terminology, creating queries, graphical reports, forms.

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Introductory Research Internship in a University Laboratory

Dates: May–June

Duration: 7 weeks minimum, extendable in July

Prior to the internship, analyzing an article recommended by the internship advisors helps prepare the student for the internship’s topic and for in-depth reading of scientific publications.

Following the internship, as part of a peer-review process, the student submits his or her written report and oral presentation for critical review by other students; it is the student’s responsibility to revise them accordingly before submitting the final versions to the internship committee.

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This course is designed to provide students with skills in the numerical solution of the Schrödinger equation in order to simulate complex quantum well structures. The course begins with a study of cases where the solution is analytical, followed by cases where the solution is semi-analytical, before moving on to the finite difference (FD) method. Various FD schemes are presented, each accompanied by an evaluation of convergence as a function of key parameters (domain truncation, number of samples, etc.). Finally, examples of concrete physical applications are examined.    

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This is the third and final part of the course series on the fabrication processes for micro-, nano-, and optoelectronic devices. The remaining technological building blocks not yet covered in previous semesters are presented in detail. The modeling and simulation aspects of these technological processes play a central role, serving as an introduction to TCAD solutions. Finally, a practical synthesis of all these topics is provided by demonstrating the sequence of all these technological steps required to produce discrete and integrated components, from the wafer to the packaged devices.

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This lecture unit presents the physical properties of various nanostructures, such as quantum wells, 1D photonic crystals, carbon nanotubes, and graphene. It covers their electronic (structure and transport), vibrational, and optical properties, as well as the radiation-matter interaction.

The goal will be to describe the development of low-dimensional materials and their associated electronic, photonic, and phononic structures, and to study transport phenomena, electron-photon and electron-phonon couplings, excitons, as well as the absorption, emission, and scattering of light.

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English tutorial course for students in the Master 2 Physics program who are preparing for a career in an English-speaking professional environment in a contemporary context.

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This module gives students the opportunity to learn about the unique aspects of the professional world and to prepare to enter it under the best possible conditions, particularly through sharing experiences with professionals in the field. Students practice successfully completing the job application process in a systematic manner by thoroughly analyzing job postings, crafting targeted resumes and cover letters, and preparing for job interviews (through role-playing and simulations).

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Experimental designs are part of the quality assurance process. It is a method for conducting tests and analyzing data that saves time and money. That is why it is so useful in industry.

The focus is on understanding the basics.

This is an interactive course that uses examples to illustrate concepts.

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This module aims to teach the operating principles of the main techniques used to characterize the structure (in volume and on the surface) and properties (optical, electronic, etc.) of condensed matter:

• X-ray and electron diffraction techniques
• optical spectroscopy techniques (absorption, reflection, luminescence)
• local probe microscopy

  This module aims to teach the operating principles of the main techniques used to characterize the structure (in volume and on the surface) and properties (optical, electronic, etc.) of condensed matter:

  • X-ray and electron diffraction techniques
  • optical spectroscopy techniques (absorption, reflection, luminescence)
  • local probe microscopy

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End-of-program internship, in a company or a university laboratory

The purpose of this significant professional experience (up to six months) is to demonstrate the student’s ability to hold management-level positions (engineer or doctoral researcher) or to pursue a doctoral degree in the fields covered by the program.

Start date: as early as February

Duration: four to six months, and must end before August 31.

End-of-program internship, in a company or a university laboratory

The purpose of this significant professional experience (up to six months) is to demonstrate the student’s ability to hold management-level positions (engineer or doctoral researcher) or to pursue a doctoral degree in the fields covered by the program.

Start date: as early as February

Duration: four to six months, and must end before August 31.

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This course is a hands-on training program in the main techniques of nanoscale characterization and nanotechnology:

• AFM
• SEM
• Photoluminescence
• X-ray diffraction
• Ellipsometry
• Optical Microscopy
• Source meter
• Capacitance Meter
• Manufacturing Processes for Microdevices in Cleanrooms

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