Solid state physics II
Summary
This course gives an introduction into Solid State Physics (crystal structure of materials, electronic and magnetic properties, thermal and electronic transport). The course material is at the level of Ashcroft & Mermin and is addressed to the 3rd year students in Physics.
Content
Electrons in periodic potential (cont.): tight-binding approximation, Fermi surfaces and band structures of selected elements.
Dynamics of electrons in periodic potential: semiclassical model, electrical conductivity, concept of hole charge carriers and effective mass, dynamics in presence of magnetic field.
Lattice vibrations and thermal properties: vibrational modes within harmonic approximation, phonons, specific heat, anharmonic effects, thermal expansion, heat conductivity.
Semiconductors: general properties and band structures, impurities, intrinsic and doped semiconductors, concept of hole charge carriers and effective mass, optical adsorption and excitons, p-n junctions, light-emitting diods, photovoltaic cells, transistors, elements of quantum confinement and quantum transport.
Magnetism: magnetic susceptibility, magnetic Hamiltonian of an isolated ion, ferromagnetism and antiferromagnetism, Heisenberg exchange interaction, mean-field theory, itinerant magnetism, magnetocrystalline anisotropy, magnetic domains and domain walls.
Superconductivity: history of discovery and classification, electric, magnetic and thermal phenomenology, London theory, elements of the BCS theory.
Learning Prerequisites
Required courses
Solid State Physics I
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, the student must be able to:
- Describe termal and vibrational properties of solids
- Compute band structures using the tight-binding approximation
- Compute trajectories in real and reciprocal space
- Characterize magnetism
- Characterize intrinsic and doped semiconductors
- Describe superconductivity
Transversal skills
- Use a work methodology appropriate to the task.
- Communicate effectively with professionals from other disciplines.
Teaching methods
Ex cathedra and exercises in class
Assessment methods
Written exam in English or French
Resources
Bibliography
Lecture notes available on the Moodle webpage
- N.W. Ashcroft and N.D. Mermin, Solid State Physics, Holt Saunders Int. Ed. 1976, Physique des Solides, EDP-Sciences 2002
- Ch. Kittel, Physique de l'état solide, Dunod 2005
Ressources en bibliothèque
- Solid State Physics / Ashcroft N.W., Mermin N.D.
- Physique de l'état solide : cours et problèmes / Kittel Ch.
Moodle Link
Prerequisite for
Solid State Physics III, IV
In the programs
- Semester: Spring
- Exam form: Written (summer session)
- Subject examined: Solid state physics II
- Lecture: 3 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Exercises: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks