Admission Requirements
Introduction to Solid State Physics
Description
This course aims at describing the behavior of electrons in solids. To this end, the electronic (band) stucture of solids is introduced, and calculated in simple models. The course can be seen as a first step towards electronic structure calculations of real solids, quantum many body physics, and emergent quasiparticles.
In this course you learn how electrons in solids can be described by simple but highly successful models. After a brief introduction about quantized lattice vibrations (phonons) and their energy spectra (band structures), we will start to work with and solve model Hamiltonians to describe electrons in the periodic potential in solids. You will be introduced to the concept of quasiparticles. You will learn to qualitatively and quantitatively descripe important properties of electrons in periodic potentials, and get quantities such as the energy spectra. Later, we will apply these techniques to describe semiconductors, magnets, and superconductors.
The class is recommended especially if you want to pursue experimental or theoretical condensed matter physics.
Course objectives
The main objective is to be able to describe electrons in solids using (model) Hamiltonians and solve the corresponding quantummechanical eigenvalue problems.
After this class, you will be able to:
Derive the spectrum of quantized lattice vibrations for simple crystalline solids with regards to macroscopic properties
Derive the spectrum of electrons in simple crystalline solids and interpret the result with regards to macroscopic properties
Explain the concept of a Brillouin zone, and be able to explain why it is valuable to describe solids.
Draw band structures for one dimensional solids
Derive the band structure in simple one-dimensional chains both in the nearly free electron and tight binding model; explain the difference between these two models.
Name the key phenomenological properties of semiconductors and connect them to microscopic models
Name models to describe the key properties of magnets, and explain where they are useful
Describe the basic phenomenology of superconductors
Transferable skills
You use books in addition to the weblectures and exercises to achieve the learning objectives.
Timetable
Schedule
For detailed information go to Timetable in Brightspace
Mode of instruction
Lectures, tutorials (exercise and discussion sessions)
Course load
6EC; 13 weeks of 3 hours of lectures and/or problem/discussion sessions; question session and written exam: 2+3=5 hours; selfstudy (homework, studying textbook and other literature, viewing weblectures, working out problems, study for exam): 124 hours.
Assessment method
Written examination.
Brightspace
Registration for Brightspace occurs via uSis by registration for a class activity using a class number
Reading list
For most of the course, we will follow the book “The Oxford Solid State Basics” by Steven H. Simon (Oxford University Press, 2016). The library has unlimited electronic copies.
Contact
Contact Details Lecturer:Dr.Peter Denteneer