OVERVIEW

The advanced course in Solid State Physics is dedicated to a thorough understanding of the phenomena occurring in a crystalline solid and originating at teh atomic level from the crystal lattice. 

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to deepen the concepts related to the description of crystalline solids introduced in the introductory course, as well as to describe the main experimental (diffraction, microscopies, spectroscopies) and theoretical (pseudopotentials, density functional theory) methods used for the description of solid. In particular, the course will highlight the relationship between the dielectric and magnetic properties with the band structure. Vibrational, electronic and magnetic excitations will be introduced. The correlation in the motion of electrons will be discussed with reference to the phenomenon of superconductivity. The effect of defects on physical properties will be illustrated. The approximations and schematizations used to model and describe solids and their limits will be discussed. The main methods of crystal growth, treatment and synthesis will also be introduced.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The aim of the course is to give the students an advanced  knowldge of the  fundamental laws governing a crystalline solid. 

PREREQUISITES

An introduction to quantum mechanics and an elementary couse on the structure of condensed matter

TEACHING METHODS

Frontal lectures and laboratory experiments.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Evidenec of the importance of quantum mechanics for the description of the solid state. Lattice and electronic contributions to the thermal capacity. The crystalline lattice and its consequencies on the transport phenomena of electrons and heat. The phonon spectrum and the density of phonon states. The band structure of metals, semiconductors and insulators: the nearly free electron model, and the tight binding model for the band structure. Density functional theory. The Fermi surface and the density of states, Optical properties and electronic excitations. Band structure effects on magnetism and ferromagnetism. Hubbard model and Stoner criterion. An introduction to superconductivity. .  

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Simon Lectire Notes on Solid State Physics 

Solid State Physics H. Ibach and H Lueth Springer Verlag

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

MARIO AGOSTINO ROCCA (President)

GIOVANNI CARRARO

LUCA VATTUONE (President Substitute)

GIANANGELO BRACCO (Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

First semester of the second year of the laurea Magistralis

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

oral exam. The student will present a topic of his/her own choice and answer then questions on the whole programme

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The student will expose a topic of his/her choice and be interrogated eventually on any topics.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Students who have valid certification of physical or learning disabilities on file with the University and who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other circumstances regarding lectures, coursework and exams, should speak both with the instructor and with Professor Sergio Di Domizio (sergio.didomizio@unige.it), the Department’s disability liaison.