FY508: Physics of condensed matter (10 ECTS)

STADS: 07009301

Level
Bachelor course

Teaching period
The course is offered in the autumn semester.

Teacher responsible
Email: svt@sdu.dk

Additional teachers
ipsen@memphys.sdu.dk
zqex@sdu.dk

Timetable
Show entire timetable
Show personal time table for this course.

Prerequisites:
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.

Subject overview
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.

Website
This course uses e-learn (blackboard).

Prerequisites for participating in the exam
None.

Assessment and marking:

1. Oral exam. External examiner, graded by the Danish 7-mark scale.  (10 ECTS). (07009302).

Re-examination in the same exam period or immediately thereafter. The mode of exam at the re-examination may differ from the mode of exam at the ordinary exam.

Expected working hours
The teaching method is based on three phase model.
Intro phase: 60 hours
Skills training phase: 40 hours, hereof:
 - Tutorials: 40 hours

Educational activities

Educational form
Activities during the study phase:

• Self-study of the textbook and notes
• Written assignments
• Working with ~ 16 projects which involve writing a synopsis and preparation of an oral presentation of the topics in the assignments.
• Independent work with the topics in the intro- and skills training phase
• Preparation for the exam

Language
This course is taught in Danish or English, depending on the lecturer.

Course enrollment
See deadline of enrolment.

Tuition fees for single courses
See fees for single courses.