Vorlesung - Solid-State Sensors

Beschreibung

The advances in microelectronics and micro electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) have revolutionized the scenario of sensor technology. Thanks to new materials and processes, traditional bulky, slow and expensive sensor systems could be replaced by miniaturized and integrated smart sensors based on solid-state materials, in particular semiconductors. With the help of solid-state sensors various application areas have been developed. In everyday life we encounter them, for example, in the form of navigation and control systems in vehicles or as microphones, accelerometers, compass and cameras in mobile phones and tablets. In addition to the automotive industry and the mobile communications, solid-state sensors find application in many other areas, for example, in health care to record the blood pressure or body temperature in real time. The students describe and classify principles of operation, technological implementations and application areas of different sensors. They recognize and discuss the various physical phenomena in semiconductors, which are used for the detection of physical quantities and their conversion to electrical signals. They know various solid-state materials suitable for the production of sensors, analyze the peculiarities of each one, explain and predict their response under different conditions and can calculate sensor examples for different measurement needs. The students can design a solid-state sensor choosing the right material among several options. They are able to analyze a measurement problem, compare appropriate sensing techniques and develop their own solution. Doing this they can properly dimension the sensor unit to meet the design specifications.

Content

•    Sensor system design
•    Operational amplifiers
•    Solid-state sensors
•    Basics on MEMS
•    Semiconductor-based detection methods for:
- radiation (ionizing and non-ionizing)
- magnetic fields
- mechanical forces
    - temperature

Solid-State Sensors

ENGB 70450