Pr. Andrea Leonardo LACAITA
Head on the Micro and Nanoelectronics Lab - Politecnico
di Milano
"It's unique program today in place in Europe aiming at introducing talented people with a different scholar background to the Microelectronics field"
- Since 2000 he has been Full Professor of Electronics at Politecnico
di Milano, where he is currently teaching “Solid State Electronics
“ and “Electronic Circuit Design”. He is head of the
Micro and Nanoelectronics Lab and since 2006 he is serving as Department
Chair of the Dipartimento di Elettronica e Informazione (DEI).
In microelectronics he has given contributions to studies on carrier transport and quantum effects in submicron MOSFET’s, reliability of gate oxides and non-volatile memories. In integrated circuit design he has developed design methodologies of low noise fully integrated VCO’s and PLL frequency synthetizers for multistandard terminals.
- Nowadays as Head on the Micro and Nanoelectronics Lab he leads
two groups of researchers. The former is pioneering the development
of non-volatile memories with nanocrystal storage nodes and phase
change materials; the latter is aiming to the development of wireless
transceivers for multimedia applications.
He is co-author of more than 200 papers published in international newspapers or presented to international conferences. He is also author of two books in Electronics. - What is your contribution to the Master program?
Since 1998 I’ve been teaching the module on Submicron devices. The 12-hour course deals with the scaling roadmap of submicron MOSFET’s, addressing the new quantum physics entering the game of nanoelectronics as the device is approaching the ultimate decanano dimensions. Starting in 2001 I have also taught the module on BiCMOS technologies. The 12-hour course deals with the fundamentals and the evolution of BiCMOS technologies. The physics and the performance of the key devices, both active and passive, is discussed together with the technology issues related to the development of these platforms.
- According to you, what is / are the added value(s) of such
a program for the students?
The Master Program in Microelectronics Technology and Manufacturing Management is the only program today in place in Europe aiming at introducing talented people with a different scholar background to the Microelectronics field.
The Master gives a broad picture of all the expertise needed to play a professional role in such a strategic field, from the basic physics and technology of semiconductor devices to production management tools and methodologies. Essential and exciting is also the experience the students get during the internship. The internship gives them the opportunity to closely observe IC manufacture right from design specifications to final product, to work on the whole VLSI design flow, getting hands-on experience with CAD tools.
It is also worth noting that the Program is not only an opportunity to get the qualification to enter a company operating in the semiconductor field but, in many cases, it was also a stepping stone for students to get the qualification to apply to academic Master degree Programs in prestigious universities all over the world.
In summary, the Master Program in Microelectronics Technology and Manufacturing Management has proved a very successful and valuable experience, opening professional perspectives for those who want to play a professional, leading role in the high-tech global market.