Analysis of the Principle of Semiconductor and Diode Presented in University Physics Textbooks

Since the 2009 revised curriculum, modern physics content has been introduced in the Korean secondary curriculum. However, teachers and students have difficulty understanding the modern physics content and it is difficult to find high-tech-contents education research. In this study, we analyzed the principle of a semiconductor and a diode in university textbooks. Specifically, the purpose of this study was to examine the explanations and illustrations concerning the principle of a semiconductor and a diode. Three criteria were established to analyze the content; the description of the semiconductor, the principle of the diode, and the application of the diode. As a result of this study, we found a large difference in the explanations and the illustrations among the textbooks. Especially, some university physics textbooks present the contents concerning the principle of the semiconductor and the diode insufficiently, and essential illustrations to explain the contents were not presented. Based on this study, we suggested several implications.