International Workshop on The Physics of Semiconductor Devices-2009

IWPSD 2009

Throughout the past four decades, semiconductor technology has advanced at exponential rates in both performance and productivity. Semiconductor devices influence all aspects of modern life and are drivers of technological growth. Modern equipments, commercial or military, are literally loaded with semiconductor devices. The International Workshop on the Physics of Semiconductor Devices (IWPSD) is an important biennial event in which scientists and academicians from international and national educational institutes, government laboratories and leading industries exchange ideas and gain knowledge. The fifteenth International Workshop on the Physics of Semiconductor Devices was inaugurated by honourable Minister Prithviraj Chavan, MoS, Science and Technology on 15th December, 2009 at Ansari Auditorium, Jamia Millia Islamia, Jamianagar, New Delhi. Over 450 participants will attend this exciting workshop which includes a substantial number of young research students from Indian institutions.

The Fifteenth International workshop on The Physics of Semiconductor Devices was inaugurated on 15th December 2009 at Dr. M A Ansari Auditorium, Jamia Millia Islamia, Jamianagar, New Delhi by Prithviraj Chavan, MoS Science & Technology, Govt. of India after a brief welcome address by Najeeb Jung, Vice Chancellor, Jamia Millia Islamia. Honourable Minister stated that electronics is the most important invention of the 20th century. Electronic end equipment has become the base of political and economic activities like communication, power generation, transportation, environment, entertainment, medical care, and last but not the least defence. Semiconductor technology being the key component of Electronic hardware is strategically important for all the countries and especially for India. Several achievements in finding new materials and developing new process device manufacturing have been made recently. Most of the materials and the manufacturing processes used in the deep-submicron era are now pushing to their physical or technological limits He expressed his happiness for covering all the major technological advancements in important materials like GaN, Si, MCT, GaAs, and addressing device related issues through highly exciting technical program in the workshop.

The function was presided over by Dr. V.K. Saraswat, Scientific advisor to Raksha Mantri (SA to RM), Secretary Dept. of Defence (R&D), DG DRDO, Ministry of Defence and delivered the presidential address. He highlighted the importance and influence of semiconductor devices on our day-to-day life, which have become drivers of our technological growth. He mentioned that nano dimension devices are going to be the driving technology for future to achieve beyond terascale integration as present miniaturization technology is reaching its limits. He stated the importance of Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) in civil and military applications and expressed the need for MEMS based gyros, phase shifters and switches for T/R modules. Dr. K. D. Nayak, OS and CCR&D, DRDO gave special remarks. Prof. Vikram Kumar (Former Director NPL) briefed about the history of the workshop. The conference theme was highlighted by Dr. R. Muralidharan, Director, Solid State Physics Laboratory, Lucknow Road Timarpur, Delhi.

Prof U K Mishra, UCSB, USA who is the pioneer in compound semiconductor device Technology delivered the keynote address. He has led all the major developments in compound semiconductor electronics and has been a driving force behind the rapid progress over recent years in gallium nitride (GaN)-based microwave devices and circuits. His contributions to GAN-based technologies have become critical components to both commercial and government systems. He co-founded Wi-Tech (later Nitres) to commercialize both GaN-based LEDs and transistors in 1996. The company now operates as the CREE Santa Barbara Technology Center (CREE SBTC) in Goleta, Calif.

Solid State Physics Laboratory, Delhi is organizing the fifteenth workshop in collaboration with Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) and Society for Semiconductor Devices (SSD). Solid State Physics Laboratory is a premier DRDO organisation which is engaged in the development of materials and devices based on GaN, GaAs, Si, and Mercury Cadmium Telluride (MCT). It may be noted that some of these technologies are denied to India being of strategic importance. This workshop was started by Solid State Physics Laboratory (SSPL), Timar pur, Delhi in the year 1981 and is being held biennially since then at every alternate year at various locations in India. It has received wide international participation throughout its nearly 30 year history and serves as the principal forum for dissemination of semiconductor research in South Asian region. Moreover, this workshop provides a window to the Indian scientist working in this important field giving them an opportunity to meet internationally acclaimed experts.

This year about 80 internationally acclaimed invited speakers will present their recent research work in the field expertise. An equal number of scientists from India would also be delivering talks. Institutes like TIFR, NPL, IISc, IITs, Anna University, would be actively participating in the workshop. A significant number of about 360 contributed papers will also be presented. Leading Scientists and Technologist from USA, Europe, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, China, and other countries will be participating. The workshop has become an prominent international forum on semiconductor technologies based on GaAs, GaN, MCT, Si, and Nano materials. Workshop has a strong technical program that brings the latest advances in these areas. Special emphasis is on the applications of semiconductors to defence and civil applications. This year the workshop is conducting 17 plenary talks and 40 parallel sessions including poster sessions over a period of four and a half days to cover the recent developments in high frequency / high power devices, IR Materials & Devices, Photovoltaics, and Nano technology. Special emphasis is being given to technological advances in Solid State lighting and GaN material/device technology for next generation lighting, microwave power and white LED devices.

The prominent dignitaries who graced the occasion include Dr. Dipankar Bannerjee, CC R&D DRDO, Dr. P S Goel, Chairman RAC. The inaugural ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks by Co-Chairman Dr. Harsh, Associate Director, SSPL, Timarpur, Delhi. It may be noted that this workshop is organised mainly in academic institutions so that more and more students participate and interact with international/national semiconductor experts.