FY805: Advanced Physics of condensed matter (10 ECTS)

STADS: 07002301

Level
Master's level course

Teaching period
The course is offered in the spring semester.
3rd and 4th quarter.

Teacher responsible
Email: ipsen@memphys.sdu.dk

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

Comment:
Kurset kører ikke foråret 2009.

Prerequisites:
None

Academic preconditions:
Bachelor degree in Physics.

Course introduction
To understand, on a quantum mechanical basis, the physics of condensed matter, including electronic, dielectric, optical and magnetic properties. To understand the practical application of condensed matter theories, on the basis of quantum mechanics, in modern material- and nano- technology. Furthermore, to give an understanding of statistical mechanical and phenomenological aspects of soft-condensed matter systems, and to describe soft-matter properties which relate to properties of living systems and to technological applications.

Expected learning outcome
At the end of the course the students will be able to:
• Account for different theories for the calculation of energy states, for electron transport and for the interaction between particles, such as phonons, neutrons, electrons, and photons.
• Read and interpret complex diagrams of electron and phonon band structures, Brillouin zones and Fermi surfaces and account for their implications for optical, thermal and electrical properties
• Account for theoretical models for dielectric and magnetic properties of solids
• Account for effects that are applied in modern nano-material and semiconductor technology. This includes physical models behind devices like transistors, solar cells, photo-diodes, light-emitting diodes, semiconductor lasers and transparent conducting oxide thin films.
• Describe normal and anomalous elasticity of nematic and smectic liquid crystals. Peirls’ theorem. Topological defects (disclinations and dislocations) in liquid crystals.
• Describe oil-water emulsions and their stability.
• Describe self-organized amphiphilic aggregates, packing of amphiphilic molecules, interfacial activity of amphiphiles, monolayers. Entropic elasticity of amphiphilic surfaces, conformational complexity. Lipid bilayers and biomembranes. Phase behavior of lipid mixtures.
• Describe microemulsions.
• Describe polymer physics. Flory theory of self-interacting polymers. Polymers near interfaces. Stiff and semiflexible polymers, charged polymers.
• Describe biological macromolecules (proteins, DNA, sugars). Conformations of biological macromolecules. Elasticity and packing of bio-polyelectrolytes. Ion organization near bio-polyelectrolytes, Manning condensation. Precipitation of biological macromolecules, Hoffmeister effect.

Subject overview
Theoretical part
• Brillouin zones and Fermi surfaces of different solids
• Linear Combination of Atomic Orbitals Method
• Electron dynamics; Electron- phonon scattering; Dynamics of electrons in a crystalline solid with a magnetic field
• Electrical and optical properties of semiconductors
• Dielectric properties of solids
• Light absorption; coupling between photons and phonons; excitons
• Heterojunctions: metal-semiconductor; semiconductor-semiconductor
• Physical models for devices like transistors, solar cells, photo diodes, lightemitting diodes, semiconductor lasers, and transparent conducting oxide films
• Linear and non-linear elasticity of liquid crystals (nematics and smectics)
• Topological defects in liquid crystals
• Amphiphilic self-organization
• Entropic elasticity of amphiphilic surfaces
• Statistical mechanics and thermodynamics of phase transitions in lipid mixtures
• Conformations of self-interacting, stiff, semiflexible, and charged polymers
• Statistical mechanics of polymers attached to interfaces (adsorption and grafting)
• Conformations of biological macromolecules
• Ion organization near bio-polyelectrolytes
• Precipitation of biological macromolecules

Experimental part:
• Electrical pulses and and the transients in a p-n diode.
• CV characteristics of p-n diode.
• Optical properties of semi-conductors.
• Thermodynamics and mechanics of amphiphillic layers.
• Optics and visualization of soft condensed matter.

Literature
There isn't any litterature for the course at the moment.

Website
This course uses e-learn (blackboard).

Prerequisites for participating in the exam
None

Assessment and marking:
(a) Lab exercises. Pass/fail, internal evaluation by teacher.
(b) Oral exam after 4th quarter. The reports from the experimental part will be a part of the exam. Danish 7 mark scale, internal examiner.
(c) Reexam after 2nd quarter.

Expected working hours
The teaching method is based on three phase model.

Forelæsninger, antal timer 46.
Eksaminatorietimer/opgaveregning, antal timer 28.
Laboratorieøvelser, antal timer 16.
Educational activities

Language
This course is taught in English, if international students participate. Otherwise the course is taught in Danish.

Course enrollment
See deadline of enrolment.

Tuition fees for single courses
See fees for single courses.