FY508: Physics of condensed matter

Study Board of Science

Teaching language: Danish or English depending on the teacher
EKA: N500005102
Assessment: Second examiner: External
Grading: 7-point grading scale
Offered in: Odense
Offered in: Autumn
Level: Bachelor

STADS ID (UVA): N500005101
ECTS value: 10

Date of Approval: 13-04-2018


Duration: 1 semester

Version: Archive

Comment

07009301 (former UVA) is identical with this course description. 
The course is co-read with parts of FY532: Physics of condensed matter I (5 ECTS)

Entry requirements

None

Academic preconditions

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.

Course introduction

The course gives an introduction to the physics of condensed matter, including crystalline and amorphous solids and soft materials like polymers and liquid crystals. The course gives an introduction to the theoretical models and experimental methods used to describe and measure the mechanical and thermo dynamical properties of matter and is an introduction to further studies in material science, nano-technology and bio-physics.

The course builds on the knowledge acquired in the courses FY503, FY504, Fy521, FY522, FY523, FY524, and gives an academic basis for studying the topics in statistical mechanics , FY802 and writing a bachelor and a master thesis in condensed matter physics.

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.

Expected learning outcome

The learning objectives of the course are that the student demonstrates the ability to:
  • Recognize common crystal structures and describe their symmetries.
  • Explain the physics of different types of bonds in crystalline structures
  • Describe diffraction using the reciprocal lattice
  • Determine the structure of crystalline materials by x-ray diffraction
  • Use models to calculate dispersion relations for acoustical and optical phonons.
  • Account for phonons impact on heat capacity and heat transport.
  • Deduce Bloch's theorem from the Schrödinger equation for electrons in a periodic potential.
  • Perform band structure calculations for simple systems in the weak potential- and in the Linear Combination of Atomic Orbitals approximations
  • Describe the relation between electron band-structure and crystal symmetry.
  • Explain the effective electron mass and apply it to describe electron dynamics in semiconductors.
  • Describe the effect of doping on the electronic properties of semiconductors
  • Describe the characteristics of liquids
  • Explain structural order and disorder in soft materials
  • Perform simple calculations of the material properties of soft systems.

Content

The following main topics are contained in the course:
  • Phase transitions
  • Structure of liquids, correlation functions
  • 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: by Fourier expansion of the crystal potential and by expansion in atomic orbitals
  • Electron energy band structures
  • Electron dynamics. Effective electron mass.
  • Electronic properties of semiconductors
  • Soft matter
  • Thermodynamic, statistical-mechanical and elastic properties of soft materials, including rubbers.
  • Complex and og structured liquids
  • Colloid suspensions
  • Solutions of polymers an gels; phase transitions in mixtures and solutions of polymers
  • Liquid crystals and nematic crystals
  • Self-assembly in soft matter
  • Phenomenological description of heterogeneous, amorphous materials and glasses
  • Practical examples of semiconductor compounds

Literature

Elliott: Physics and Chemistry of Solids.
Doi: Soft matter physics.
See Blackboard for syllabus lists and additional literature references.

Examination regulations

Exam element a)

Timing

January

Tests

Oral examination

EKA

N500005102

Assessment

Second examiner: External

Grading

7-point grading scale

Identification

Student Identification Card

Language

Normally, the same as teaching language

Examination aids

To be announced during the course

ECTS value

10

Additional information

Re-examination in the same exam period or immediately thereafter.
The examination form for re-examination may be different from the exam form at the regular exam.

Indicative number of lessons

100 hours per semester

Teaching Method

On the faculty og science, teaching is organized after the three-phase model ie. intro, training and study phase.

Teacher responsible

Name E-mail Department
Sven Tougaard svt@sdu.dk

Additional teachers

Name E-mail Department City
Carsten Svaneborg zqex@sdu.dk

Timetable

Administrative Unit

Det Naturvidenskabelige Fakultet

Offered in

Odense

Recommended course of study

Profile Education Semester Offer period