Physics 226: Solid State Physics (3 credits)

Spring semester 2013-14

Description:

Physics 226 is a one-semester course that introduces the physics and properties of crystalline solids. Students attending this course should have a good knowledge of various areas of physics such as quantum mechanics, thermal and statistical physics and electromagnetic theory. The topics that will be covered in the course are the following: Crystal structure and X-ray diffraction, Lattice dynamics and transport properties, Electron states and energy bands, metals, semiconductors, dielectrics, optical and magnetic properties, superconductors. The course pre-requisites are: Physics 235 (Statistical Physics) and Physics 236 (Quantum Mechanics). Physics 226 is one of the “writing intensive” courses and as such, particular emphasis will be given to writing in the discipline of Physics and to learning course material through a sequence of writing assignments.

Course Learning Outcomes:

1. Writing intensive related learning outcomes:

Upon the successful completion of the course, the students should be able to:

Write texts on various topics in Solid State Physics in different formats such as short overviews, reports and comprehensive papers.

Organize, revise and edit their own writing and reformulate their ideas following feedback on initial drafts.

Communicate their explanations and analyses effectively through well-structured and clearly written assignments.

2. Course content related learning outcomes:

Upon the successful completion of the course, the students should be able to:

Appreciate the role of Solid State Physics and Materials Science in the technological revolution that includes micro-electronics, nanotechnologies and optical communications.

Describe the reciprocal lattice and justify its central role in the understanding of crystalline materials and their properties.

Classify crystalline materials through their crystal structure, bonding properties and spatial electronic distribution.

Compute the phonon dispersion curves for the atomic and diatomic linear chains from a classical treatment of atomic vibrations.

Analyze the behavior of the specific heat of insulators and metals as a function of temperature.

Interpret x-ray diffraction spectra from real and reciprocal lattice viewpoints.

Describe common x-ray methods to determine the phase and structure of materials.

Carry out quantum mechanical calculations to deduce the main features and properties of the Free Electron Gas.

Solve the Schrodinger equation using Bloch functions in order to obtain the band structure of the Nearly Free Electron Gas.

Distinguish between insulators, conductors and semiconductors and insulators from a band theory perspective.

Apply charge carriers statistics to intrinsic and extrinsic semiconductors to elucidate their electronic and optical properties.

Construct Fermi surfaces from techniques such as the tight binding method and explain the experimental methods used in their studies.

Use a quantum mechanical treatment to describe magnetism in materials.

Discuss basic experimental and theoretical aspects of superconductivity.

Textbooks:

1. Mandatory- N. W. Ashcroft and N. D. Mermin, “Solid State Physics”, Holt, Rinehart and Winston (1976).

2. Additional reference books:- C. Kittel, “Introduction to Solid State Physics”, 8th ed., Wiley & Sons (2004). - H. Ibach and H. Luth, “Solid-State Physics: An Introduction to the Principles of Materials Science”, 3rd edition, Springer (2003).- J. R. Christman, “Fundamentals of Solid State Physics”, Wiley & Sons (1988).

Class meetings:

Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8 am; Room 217. Attendance is mandatory. It is highly recommended that students read the material before it is covered in class. The weekly reading assignments are listed below in the “Course content & schedule” section. Active participation in classroom discussions and attendance is crucial to the understanding of the taught material.

Homework:Throughout the semester, a total of three (relatively lengthy!) homework

assignments will be given to students. Collaboration on the homework is encouraged however each student should submit his/her individual and original (not photocopied) solutions. The homework should be submitted three weeks after their assignment date. Late submission will be penalized.

Final Exam: The final exam covers all aspects of the course ranging from course content to

questions related to the submitted homework and writing assignments. The questions will emphasize conceptual understanding of solid state physics.

Writing Assignments: Throughout the semester, a total of two writing assignments (WA) will be

given to students. Students will work on their assignments individually and will receive comments on their drafts from the course instructor. The WAs represent a crucial aspect of the course and are structured in the following manner:

WA1: A minimum of 3000-word text on a laboratory experiment performed by the student.

WA2: A minimum of 4000-word review of a recent research topic in solid-state physics.

Grading Policy:The final grade will be determined in the following manner: Homework: 40%. Writing Assignments (WA): 30%. Final Exam: 30%.

Course content and schedule:

Week Topic1 Introduction; Crystal Structure

2-3 Reciprocal Lattice & XRDHW1

4 Crystal Bonding5-6 Phonons & Thermodynamics

HW27 Free Electron Fermi gas

8-9 NFE & Energy Bands10-11 Fermi surface & the band structure of metals

HW312 Semiconductor Crystals & Devices

13-14 Properties: magnetic, optical, mechanical15 Superconductivity

HW4End of Semester: Final Exam

Course Policies:i. Attendance: Attendance of the lectures is mandatory. If a student misses a

lecture, he/she is entirely responsible for the material covered as well as any announcement that was done during class time. Any student arriving late (i.e. after the start of a lecture) may not be allowed to attend the rest of the class.

ii. Plagiarism: All writing assignments will be checked for plagiarism. Any student caught plagiarizing will receive a grade of zero on the corresponding assignment. The case will also be reported to the Students Disciplinary Affairs Committee for further action to be taken. Such action could include the student being awarded a failing grade in the course and a Dean’s warning as well as the possibility of being dismissed from the University.

iii. Class discipline: No eating, drinking, smoking or use of mobile phones is permitted during class time. The instructor reserves the right to dismiss from class, any student acting in a manner that is considered disruptive or counter productive to the teaching/learning process in the classroom.

iv. Office Hours: The instructor of the course will hold regular weekly office hours that will be announced at the beginning of the semester. The students should make use of the availability of the instructor, during these office hours for any questions or comments they have about the course and the material covered. Regular meetings between course instructor and students will be held in order to provide feed-back on writing assignments and homework.

Course instructor: Prof. Michel Kazan, Room 319, Bustani Hall (Physics); Ext: 4307.E-mail: mk140@aub.edu.lb

January 2014.