FY837: Solid state physics

Students taking the course are expected to:

• Have knowledge of basic classical mechanics, thermodynamics, electromagnetism, quantum mechanics, and statistical mechanics
• Be able to use elementary mathematics to handle model descriptions based on physical laws.

The course gives an introduction to the physics of condensed matter with emphasis on crystalline materials. The student should after the course be able to explain on a quantum mechanical basis, theoretical models for the properties of solids and be able to apply these models to calculate mechanical, thermodynamical and electronic properties of matter. The course provides a basis for understanding the scientific literature on novel nano-structured materials and to further studies in material science, nano-technology and bio-physics.

The course builds on the knowledge acquired in the courses FT504: Electromagnetism and Optics (10 ECTS), FY546 Advanced Mechanics and Relativity Theory (10 ECTS), FY544 Quantum mechanics I (5 ECTS), FY547 Quantum mechanics II (5 ECTS) and FY550 Statistical physics (5 ECTS).

The course is a master version of FY548 for physics students that have not had the opportunity to follow FY548 as part of their bachelor education. The course provides necessary prerequisites to achieve teaching competence in physics on upper secondary education.

In relation to the competence profile of the degree it is the explicit focus of the course to:

• Give the competence to handle complex problems and independently take part in interdisciplinary work and identify needs for and structure of own learning.
• Give skills to apply physical principles and mathematical tools to formulate and evaluate physical models.
• Give knowledge and understanding of the properties of condensed materials.
  

• Atomic, intermolecular and colloid forces
• Crystalline solids
• Energy bonds in crystalline structures
• Reciprocal lattice
• Brillouin zones
• X-ray diffraction
• Acoustic and optical phonons. Dispersion relations
• Heat capacity and heat conductance
• Electron in a periodic potential
• Bloch's theorem
• Solution of the Schrödinger equation in two approximations:
  1. by Fourier expansion of the crystal potential
  2. by expansion in atomic orbitals
• Electron energy band structures
• Electron dynamics. Effective electron mass
• Electronic properties of semiconductors

• Intro phase (lectures) - 30 hours
• Training phase: 20 hours, including 20 hours tutorials

The intro phase consists of lectures and discussion with the students of the topics of the course. During the training phase, the students work on tasks and project assignments that deal with the most important academic elements of the course. The project assignments are presented and discussed at the end of the training phase. During the study phase, the students will continue to work on the tasks of the training phase and prepare questions for discussion during the hours of the training phase.

Activities during the studyphase:

• Self-study of the textbook and notes
  
• Written assignments
• Working with ~ 8 projects which involve writing a synopsis and preparation of an oral presentation of the topics in the assignments.
• Independent work with the topics in the intro- and skills training phase
• Preparation for the exam