Admission Requirements
Prior knowledge of Quantum Mechanics 1, Quantum Mechanics 2, Introduction Solid State Physics.
Description
Have you ever wondered why some materials are conductive and others are insulators? Or why some materials are magnetic, while others are superconducting? These fundamental questions can be answered by understanding the behavior of electrons in solids.
This course will provide an introduction to the behavior of electrons in solids and the resulting properties of materials. By studying electronic band structure, a simple but highly successful model, you will gain a deeper understanding of the behavior of electrons in periodic potentials.
The course will begin with an overview of quantized lattice vibrations (phonons) and their energy spectra (band structures). You will then learn about model Hamiltonians for periodic potentials in solids and how to calculate the energy spectra of electrons in a solid. You will also learn to qualitatively and quantitatively describe key properties of electrons in periodic potentials.
Throughout the course, you will apply these techniques to describe a range of materials, including metals, semiconductors, magnets, and superconductors. You will also learn how to connect these theories to real experimental data. This course is recommended for anyone interested in pursuing** experimental or theoretical condensed matter physics and physics of quantum matter**. It serves as a first step towards electronic structure calculations of real solids, quantum many-body physics, and emergent quasiparticles.
Course objectives
This course aims to teach you how to describe electrons in solids using Hamiltonians and solve quantum mechanical problems. You will gain insight into how the properties of real solids originate from the behavior of electrons. By the end of the course, you will be able to describe key properties of electrons in periodic potentials. This course serves as a foundation for further study in electronic structure calculations of real solids, quantum many-body physics, and emergent quasiparticles. This course is a key elective if you would like to study quantum matter in future.
After this course, you will be able to:
Derive and describe the spectrum of quantized lattice vibrations for model and simple crystalline solids
Compute the spectrum of electrons in model and simple crystalline solids and interpret the results with regards to macroscopic properties
Explain the concept of a Brillouin zone, and explain why it is valuable to describe solids
Calculate and plot band structures for one-dimensional solids
Construct the band structure in simple one-dimensional chains both in the nearly free electron and tight binding model; clarify the difference between these two models.
Define the key phenomenological properties of metals, insulators, and semiconductors and connect them to microscopic models
Name and explain the models that describe the key properties of magnets
Recognize the experimental techniques for detecting band structure and phonon modes
Describe the basic phenomenology of superconductors
Transferable skills
- You will learn to combine books, web lectures, and the internet, in addition to the lectures and exercises effectively to achieve the learning objectives.
Timetable
Schedule
For detailed information go to 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
See Brightspace. Lectures, tutorials, homework.
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. Proper participation in the problem sessions and handing in homework assignments can earn you a bonus of maximally 1 grade point on top of the exam grade.
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.
Additional reading for interested pupils: Solid State Physics by Ashcroft, Mermin and Introduction to Solid State Physics by Charles Kittel
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
Contact Details Lecturer: Dr. Semonti Bhattacharyya
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.