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Condensed Matter Physics

Vak
2024-2025

Admission Requirements

Introduction to solid state physics: bandstructure, crystal symmetries, phonons. Introductory quantum mechanics course.

Description

In this course, we provide you with an overview of the contemporary topics in today's research on condensed matter and quantum devices. These include low-dimensional systems, magnetism, spintronics, and quantum transport (e.g., superconductivity and quantum hall effect). Our goal is to help you develop an intuitive understanding of the physics behind these phenomena. To do this, we will explore relevant experimental research, and discuss their ongoing role in shaping the theoretical models used in condensed matter, and beyond.

Special emphasis is placed on the research performed in the quantum material groups at the Leiden Institute of Physics.

Course objectives

  • The student has an overview of several main themes of contemporary condensed matter physics and quantum devices.

  • The student is able to explain why different models are chosen for different systems.

  • The student can recognize a system described by single-electron physics, and can explain why a system of correlated-electrons would behave differently.

  • The student can describe the origin of magnetism and the fundamental interactions, which lead to different types of magnetic ordering.

  • The student will have studied an example of frontier research in quantum materials, reflected on it, and communicated in a comprehensive manner.

  • Ultimately, the student can apply the insights from this course to a wide range of examples in today's research on quantum materials and devices, where many-particle physics and macroscopic quantum phenomena play a crucial role.

Timetable

See timetable in Brightspace

In MyTimetable, you can find all course and programme schedules, allowing you to create your personal timetable. Activities for which you have enrolled via MyStudyMap will automatically appear in your timetable.

Additionally, you can easily link MyTimetable to a calendar app on your phone, and schedule changes will be automatically updated in your calendar. You can also choose to receive email notifications about schedule changes. You can enable notifications in Settings after logging in.

Questions? Watch the video, read the instructions, or contact the ISSC helpdesk.

Note: Joint Degree students from Leiden/Delft need to combine information from both the Leiden and Delft MyTimetables to see a complete schedule. This video explains how to do it.

Mode of instruction

Lectures and workgroups. 12 times a 2 hour lecture and 6 times a 2 hour workgroup.

Assessment method

75% of the grade comes from the exam, which may be oral or written, depending on the number of students. The remaining 25% is for an essay, which the students (usually in pairs) write on a current experimental research project at the Leiden Institute of Physics.

Reading list

Material will be available through Brightspace and must be studied before the start of each lecture.

Registration

As a student, you are responsible for enrolling on time through MyStudyMap.

In this short video, you can see step-by-step how to enrol for courses in MyStudyMap.
Extensive information about the operation of MyStudyMap can be found here.

There are two enrolment periods per year:

  • Enrolment for the fall opens in July

  • Enrolment for the spring opens in December

See this page for more information about deadlines and enrolling for courses and exams.

Note:

  • It is mandatory to enrol for all activities of a course that you are going to follow.

  • Your enrolment is only complete when you submit your course planning in the ‘Ready for enrolment’ tab by clicking ‘Send’.

  • Not being enrolled for an exam/resit means that you are not allowed to participate in the exam/resit.

Contact

Lecturers:
Dr. K. Lahabi Dr. K. Lahabi
Prof. Dr. Ir. SJ van der Molen Prof.dr.ir. SJ van der Molen

Remarks

Software
Starting from the 2024/2025 academic year, the Faculty of Science will use the software distribution platform Academic Software. Through this platform, you can access the software needed for specific courses in your studies. For some software, your laptop must meet certain system requirements, which will be specified with the software. It is important to install the software before the start of the course. More information about the laptop requirements can be found on the student website.