OVERVIEW

The course explores the basic principles of solid materials explained at the microscopic level. It will introduce concepts about atomic order and arrangements, chemical bonding, atomic and electron dynamics in solids to understand the difference between metals, semiconductors, and insulators. 

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Solid state chemistry provides the most basic knowledge indispensable for the subjects about modern materials and their properties. The course will teach the students: (1) how to define the solid state and to connect its 3D structure with properties: elastic, electric, dielectric, magnetic; how to characterize solids, with the focus on X-rays and neutrons crystallography and inelastic scattering, with an overview of the emerging techniques; (2) how the knowledge about 3D structures in databases facilitates the understanding of structure-property relations; (3) how this knowledge is applied in the development of modern materials.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course explores the basic principles of solid materials explained at the microscopic level. It will introduce concepts about atomic order and arrangements, chemical bonding, atomic and electron dynamics in solids to understand the difference between metals, semiconductors, and insulators. 

TEACHING METHODS

Frontal lectures and laboratory demonstrations

Exam: The students will be asked to expose a topic of their choice and will eventrually be asked about a different topic of the course. 

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Review of wave phenomena, plane waves, normal modes, Fourier analysis, wavepackets, Maxwell equations, Schrodinger equation and atomic orbitals.

Introduction to the periodic structure of solids, direct lattice, translational and point symmetries, Bravais lattices, lattice with a basis, Wigner-Seitz cell, types of chemical bonds, structure of elements and simple compounds. Interference and diffraction of waves, Laue and Bragg condition, reciprocal lattice, Brillouin zones. Brief introduction on X-ray diffraction. Vibrational dynamics of solids, monoatomic and diatomic chains, acoustic and optical branches, quantization of vibrations and phonons, density of states, Einstein and Debye models, specific heat, brief analysis of anharmonicity to treat thermal expansion. Brief introduction on inelastic neutron scattering. Free electron models: classical Drude model, electrical conduction, Hall effect, thermal properties. Quantum statistics of identical particles, bosons and fermions, Sommerfeld model, Fermi sphere, Fermi energy and chemical potential, Sommerfeld expansion and correction to the Fermi energy. Failure of the classical description. Independent electron approximation in a periodic potential, Bloch theorem and band theory. Weak periodic potential and nearly free electron approximation, electronic structure and Fermi surface. Tight Binding approximation. Valence and conduction bands, electron velocity, electrical properties of full and partially filled bands, concept of holes. Metals, semiconductors, and insulators.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

“Introduction to Solid State Physics”, Charles Kittel, 8th ed., John Wiley & Sons, 2005.

“Solid state physics”, N. W. Ashcroft, N. D. Mermin, Harcourt College Publishers, 1976.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

MARIO AGOSTINO ROCCA (President)

GIANANGELO BRACCO

SILVANA TERRENI

LUCA VATTUONE

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Lectrues will start in the Middle of September and span over the first semester of the academic year.

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy