Guided inquiry laboratory works in investigations of the photoelectric properties of semiconductors

Abstract

The aim of the present study is to create the guided inquiry laboratory works in studying the photoelectric properties of semiconductors in order to foster the students’ research experiences. In this context, the general structure of guided inquiry laboratory work is proposed and described. Each laboratory work includes preparation section, experiment section, interpretation section and consolidation section. Two created laboratory works include five experimental investigations in luminous and current-voltage characteristics of CdS photoresistors, selenium and silicon solar cells. The use of self-made equipment allows students to be introduced to the general principles of creating installation for these experimental investigations. The advantages and possibilities of self-made device for studying the photoelectric properties of semiconductors have been formulated. The design of the device allows changing the illumination of the photodetectors, measure dark currents, determining the photocurrent, calculate the sensitivity of photodetectors, confirm sublinear law for photoresistors, and study the current-voltage characteristics for different luminous flux. The cost of manufacturing the device is quite low. The questions to consolidate knowledge are offered for each laboratory work. Described general method of performing guided inquiry laboratory work could be used in the study of other topics of physics. Proposed level of inquiry-based learning is successfully used by the authors of the present article during professional training of Bachelor’s and Master’s students, future physics teachers.