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Schemes for University Lecturers Industrial Secondment Scheme: Case Study GEC Plessey Semiconductors Ltd
Alla obtained a BSc in Electrical Engineering from the University of the District of Columbia, USA, before undertaking post-graduate studies at the Technical University, Sofia, Bulgaria. She worked in a number of technical institutes in Sofia and Aachen and completed her PhD in Sofia in 1985. Since 1990 she has been a Senior Lecturer in Microelectronic Technologies in the School of Engineering at Oxford Brookes University. The main purpose in joining GEC Plessey was to update knowledge in the manufacture of medium-power RF transistor circuits and Schottky diodes structures. Along with this Alla hoped to become familiar with the operation and management of a large semiconductor manufacturing company, and to develop links between the university and the company – which are now ongoing. The bulk of work over a six-month period was spent with the Technology Development Group investigating Schottky barrier junctions. The work involved determining the feasibility of manufacturing a Schottky diode structure in a new technology; ascertaining the practicality of using these structures as varactors and rectifying diodes, and determining the optimum device structure and manufacturing sequence which would allow maximum capacitance swings and minimum leakage currents when reverse biased.
‘The experience gained during the secondment period helped to update my knowledge of integrated circuit technology, at the same time giving me an insight into some aspects of the organisation and management of a large company. I have returned to teaching with new ideas for student experiments and projects and often refer to my industrial experience in lectures. I would like to see the links created between myself and the colleagues at GEC Plessey grow stronger, since closer collaboration can produce benefits to all parties.’ Dr Alla Cordery, Oxford Brookes University, Engineering Department ‘The primary goal of her project was to investigate the feasibility of implementing and manufacturing Schottky barrier Diodes as a processing module for a newly developed semiconductor technology. ‘As part of this work, Alla was required to become familiar with the basics of semiconductor manufacturing within a very short timeframe and simultaneously undertake the design and development of these new devices - a project which she successfully completed in an extremely professional and timely manner. ‘In addition, Alla successfully displayed all of the requisite knowledge and personal ambition to make her placement a resounding success, clearly demonstrating an easy ability to bridge the gap between academic research and commercial technology development and considerably enhancing the detail that she would be able to provide during her future lecturing and teaching duties. ‘It is without hesitation that GEC Plessey Semiconductors heartily supports the work being performed by The Royal Academy of Engineering in seeking to place academics within commercial organisations such as GEC Plessey Semiconductors and we wish The Academy every success in its future endeavours.’ GEC Plessey Semiconductors Limited
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Dr
Alla Cordery
In addition to working on these technical
issues Alla extended her activities to
encompass developing an insight into project
management, new technology development,
quality control, and design and marketing
strategies. Throughout the secondment period
she was given access to daily production
meetings, and participated in new technology
development seminars.|
Updated November 2007 |
/research/univ/secondment/plessey.htm |
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