LEARNING OUTCOMES

Achieving a thorough understanding of the properties solids at the microscopic level. Students will master the concepts of crystal lattice, lattice dynamics, electronic band structure, dielectric response and electronic excitations, magnetic properties and excitations, as well as the origin of metallic, semiconductor and insulator behavior

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. Experiments will be performed to introduce important concepts as wavevector, frequency, interference, diffraction, photoemission, Hall effect.

PREREQUISITES

Basic knowledge in Quantum Mechanics

TEACHING METHODS

Frontal lectures and laboratory demonstrations. The students will write reports on the experiments.

Exam: The students will be asked to expose a topic of their choice and will  be asked by the examining commision to expose 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

Lecture Notes for Solid State Physics, Steven Simon

“Solid State Physics: An Introduction to Principles of Material Science”, Harald Ibach, Hans Lueth, fourth Edition Springer Verlag

Eftherios Economou The Physics of Solid State: essentials and beyond Springer Verlag first chapter