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
lyngs@memphys.sdu.dk

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

Prerequisites:
None

Academic preconditions:
The contents of FY503 Electromagnetism I, FY504 Classical Physics, FY506 Electromagnetism II, FY507 Introductory quantum mechanics or FY521 Introductory quantum mechanics I and the first quarter of FY509 Thermal Physics must be known.

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.

Expected learning outcome
After the course the student will be able 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 electron in a periodic potential.
• Perform band structure calculations in two approximations:
1. by Fourier expansion of the potential and
2. by expansion of the electron wavefunction in a linear combination of atomic orbitals
• Describe the relation between electron band-structure and crystal symmetry.
• Describe the effect of doping on the electronic properties of semiconductors

Subject overview
General basis
Phase transitions
Structure
Atomic and intermolecular 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
Electron energy band structures
Solution of the Schrödinger equation in two approximations: by Fourier expansion of the crystal potential and by expansion in atomic orbitals
Examples of energy band structures of real solids
Electron dynamics. Effective electron mass.
Electronic properties of semiconductors

Soft matter

• Thermodynamic, statistical-mechanical and elastic properties of soft amterials, includin rubbers and other elastomers.
• Complex and og structured liquids
• Colloid suspensions
• Solutions of polymers an gels;phase transitions in mixtures and solutions of polymers
• Liquid crystals,, in particular nematic liquid crystals
• Self-assembly in soft matter
• Phenomenological description of heterogeneous, amorphous materials and glasses

Literature

• Elliott: Physics and Chemistry of Solids.

Website
This course uses e-learn (blackboard).

Prerequisites for participating in the exam
None

Assessment and marking:

1. Oral exam partly based on the written projects, handed in during the semester. External examiner, graded by the Danish 7-mark scale. 10 ECTS

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: 70 hours
Skills training phase: 30 hours, hereof:
 - Tutorials: 30 hours

Educational activities

Language
This course is taught in Danish.

Course enrollment
See deadline of enrolment.

Tuition fees for single courses
See fees for single courses.