| CODE | PHY3335 | ||||||||||||||||
| TITLE | Solid State Physics | ||||||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 6 | ||||||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 6 | ||||||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Physics | ||||||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | Solid State Physics describes the thermal, electronic, and magnetic properties of matter in the solid phase. This study unit utilises concept of classical, quantum, and statistical mechanics to derive both equilibrium and out-of-equilibrium transport properties, relating macroscopic observables, such as electronic current and magnetization, to underlying microscopic models. From the free-electron to the tight-binding and the Heisenberg model, several levels of approximation, ranging from classical to fully quantum, will be presented in order to investigate the many-body physics that led to many of the current technological devices. Study-unit Aims: This study-unit aims at offering the students a broad overview on solid state physics, with a special focus on crystal lattice vibrations, electron dynamics, and magnetism. The students will be introduced to the basic techniques and methods of condensed matter physics, with use of the contents of previous study-units, such as quantum and statistical mechanics. The students will be able to utilise different level of approximation to describe the dynamics of many-body systems, relate macroscopic quantities to microscopic models, and acquire a basic understanding of many-body quantum physics. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - enumerate the discrete rotational symmetries that are compatible with the crystal symmetry; - explain diffraction experiments to investigate the crystal structure; - differentiate the concepts of reciprocal lattice and Brillouin zones; - describe the different type of bonding in solids; - derive the thermal properties of a lattice in the Einstein and Debye model; - explain the concept of acoustic and optical phonons and derive their density of states; - describe the electronic properties of a metal in free-electrons models: Drude and Sommerfeld approach; - relate electronic transport properties of a solid with its band structure obtained from quantum-mechanical approaches: quasi-free and tight-binding model; - fathom the role of the Fermi energy in metals; - describe the electrical conductivity of semiconductors; - explain the functioning of a p-n junction in a diode; - describe the microscopic origin of diamagnetism, paramagnetism and ferromagnetism; - explain the quantum mechanical origin of magnetism; - connect symmetries and magnetic phase transitions; - describe qualitatively the properties of different classes of superconductors; - explain the functioning of a Josephson junction. 2. Skills By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - given a lattice find its reciprocal lattice; - derive the intensity spectrum in a diffraction experiment; - derive the phonon’s dispersion relation of a crystal; - calculate the electronic conductance in the Drude model; - define the quasi-momentum and give a proof of Bloch's theorem for a wave equation with discrete translational symmetry; - calculate analytically the bulk band structure in a given crystal structure in both the quasi-free and the tight binding approximation; - distinguish different phases of matter in solids; - obtain the conductivity in semiconductor crystals in terms of the effective masses of electrons and holes; - perform basic mean field calculations with the Heisenberg model; - apply London’s phenomenological theory to derive the magnetic field’s penetration in a superconductor; - distinguish between a charge, a flux, and a phase qubit in superconducting circuits. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main texts: - Philip Hofmann, Solid State Physics: An Introduction, Wiley - Steve H. Simon, The Oxford Solid State Basics, Oxford University Press - Charles Kittel, Introduction to Solid State Physics, Wiley. |
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| ADDITIONAL NOTES | Pre-Requisite Study-units: Statistical Mechanics; Quantum Mechanics | ||||||||||||||||
| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture | ||||||||||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Tony John George Apollaro |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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