"Training of experts in the growth of high gap semiconductors"
The SiCilab training phase allows the training of three types of professionals, all operating in the field of new microelectronics technologies (the growth of high gap semiconductors), in a joined programme involving public labs and semiconductors companies.
The training team is formed by external professors between Europe and the USA as well as internal experts from the participating research companies. The training place is the laboratory itself to ensure that the course is practical for the participants.
The coordination work is led by H2CU, which is an ensemble of the majority of Italian universities, institutes and research institutions, and holds conventions for professor interchanges and formative credits with several USA universities such as Columbia, MIT and PACE: the training experts are selected within this network based on their relevant expertise to ensure maximum benefit for the participants.
Person in charge
The project coordinator is Prof. Gaetano Foti, who is a full professor in Applied Physics at the University of Catania.
Training Targets
Three Training Targets (TT) are scheduled for this project:
| TT 1 | Process Designers for wafers and epitaxial slices of new semiconducting materials |
| TT 2 | Experts in the development of Models and Simulators for the growth of innovative semiconductors |
| TT 3 | Experts in the characterization of Materials and Processes for the growth of innovative semiconductors |
First, a common path is followed in order to levelthe knowledge and previous competences in the particular scientific areas, an to provide new common competences to all the three professional types: it regards basic concepts on Silicon Carbide and growth technology, process design and simulation, and characterization techniques.
Then all the three training groups take distinctive paths, to form the specific competences expected by their own professional profile: this stage is organised in training modules (classroom lessons and practical exercises) as well as operative experiences alongside laboratory researchers, followed by tutors.
The three groups finally follow common modules, regarding project planning, strategic management, assessment and operative organizing of industrial research, and/or precompetitive development projects.
Project Duration
The project starts with the announcement publication and selection of candidates.
The following proper training phase stands for 18 months, including both classroom training and practical exercises, as well as training alongside researchers from the SiCilab project.
A final assessment takes place and acertification of obtained skills is granted.
The project therefore lasts 21 months, to be split as follows:
- 2 months to organize the didactic/administrative structure, to predispose the admission announcement, select the students, ask the professors to define their participation plan, and organize the operative structures for lessons, stages and laboratory exercises;
- 18 months for the proper training course and the activities real-time monitoring;
- 1 month to check the overall course performance and to elaborate a final report (one for each participant) and relative attestation.
Training control and verification
The training monitoring and evaluation is necessary to "read" the activities results, eventually re-addressing the choices to ensure efficacy and efficiency to the initiative.
At least once a month the students have to sustain tests and talks to verify correspondence between expected and actual training activities. Each student makes a written text regarding the specific stage of activity (in the laboratory or other places), to demonstrate their gained skills.
Alongside these intermediate documents there is a final documentation, which consists of some evaluation forms on the performed activities and obtained skills, written by an evaluation commission. These skills will be certified by a document granted by the training institution.