511 Solid State Physics

Spring Semester 2008, Tuesday and Thursday: 9:30 - 10:50 a.m. Room: physics 43

lecturer: Ruslan Prozorov, office: Zaffarano A119, lab A01, A02, A09, office phone: 294-9901, prozorov@ameslab.gov

grader:  Matt Vannette, office: Zaffarano A117, lab A02, vannette@iastate.edu

prerequisites: 304 Thermal Physics and 322 Introduction to Modern Physics II.

office hours: After lectures, 11AM-12PM

Texts:
N. W. Ashcroft and N. D. Mermin, "Solid State Physics", (Holt, Rinehart and Winston, New York, 1976), ISBN: 0-030-83993-9.
 Ch. Kittel, "Introduction to Solid State Physics", 8th Edition, (John Wiley and Sons, New York, 2004), ISBN 0-471-41526-X

Recommended:
A. A. Abrikosov, "Fundamentals of the Theory of Metals", (Elsevier Science Pub Co., 1988), ISBN: 0-444-87095-4.
J.M. Zaiman, "Electrons and Phonons", Oxford Univ. Press, London (1960)

Grading: Based on homework (30%), midterm exam (25%), student presentation (15%) and final exam (30%).

Homework: distributed each Tuesday, due week after

 Syllabus

Week
Date
Lecture#
Lectures/Exams
Homework
 Solutions
Presentation
1
Tu. 
Jan. 15
1

Introduction. General discussion of crystals.
periodicity of crystals; basic definitions; basis and lattice; Wigner-Seitz cell

 

  
Th. 
Jan. 17
2
 Fundamental types of lattices
Point group symmetry; Bravais lattices in 2 and 3D; Miller indices of lattice planes
2
Tu. 
Jan. 22
3
Reciprocal lattice
Reciprocal lattice, Brillouin zone

HW1
due 1/29

 
Th. 
Jan. 24
4
Crystal Structure
X-ray diffraction 
3
Tu. 
Jan. 29
5
Classification of solids  
 ionic,  covalent and metallic bonding, van der Waals and Hydrogen bonds 

HW2
due 2/05

 
Th. 
Jan. 31
6

Classification of solids-II
Cohesion energy (12-6 potential, Madelung constant)

4
Tu. 
Feb. 05
7
Lattice Vibrations
phonons, dispersion relation, group velocity, relation to Brillouin zone
Electron diffraction
(E.B.)
Th. 
Feb. 07
8
Lattice Vibrations
quantum statistics of lattice vibrations, density of states
5
Tu. 
Feb. 12
9
Phonons
Acoustic and optical phonons. Thermal properties of insulators. Debay and Einstein models

HW4
due 2/19

Carbon nanotubes
(D.P.)
Th. 
Feb. 14
10
Electrons in a Solid
Drude theory. Ohm's law.
6
Tu. 
Feb. 19
11
Electrons in a Solid
Classical Hall effect. High frequency response. Plasma frequency. Skin effect.
Heavy fermions
(M.K.)
Th. 
Feb. 21
12
Electrons in a Solid
General transport properties. Thermal conductivity. Wiedemann-Franz law.
7
Tu. 
Feb. 26
13

Electrons in a Solid
Quantum statistics of electrons. Density of states. Sommerfeld theory of metals.
light emitting diodes
(E.B)
Th. 
Feb. 28
14
Electrons in a Solid
Falure of the free electron model. Nearly free electrons.
8
Tu. 
Mar. 04
15
Electrons in a Solid
Periodic potential, Bloch theorem, energy gap
preparation
for
midterm
NO HW
graphene
(J.Zh.)
Th. 
Mar. 06
16
Electrons in a Solid
Band structure: weak potential and tight binding model 
9
Tu. 
Mar. 11
 Midterm Exam
I am away for the
APS March meeting.
Th. 
Mar. 13
17
lecture will be substituted
10
Mo.-Fr.
Mar. 17-21

SPRING BREAK - NO CLASSES
11
Tu. 
Mar. 25
18
Discussion of the midterm exam. Bands in 3D
HW7
due 4/01 
Quantum computers
(S.Y.)
Th. 
Mar. 27
19
The central equation (weak periodic potential)
Bloch theorem and Kronig-Penny model in reciprocal space. Solution near zone boundary.
12
Tu. 
Apr. 01
20
Semiclassical theory of electron conduction in metals
DC and AC conductivity;
HW8
due 4/08 
Alternative energy
(G.R.)
Th. 
Apr. 03
21

Heat capacity and conduction
thermal conductivity; thermoelectric effects

13
Tu. 
Apr. 08
22

Quantum oscillations
Landau levels; Shubnikov-de Hass and de Haas van Alphen effects

 HW9
due 4/15
Hall effect
(H.R.)
Th. 
Apr. 10
23
Selected experimental techniques
electromagnetic and thermal measurements in solid-state physics
14
Tu. 
Apr. 15
24
Selected experimental techniques 
Magnetic resonance (NMR, EPR, FMR etc). Optical spectroscopy.
HW10
due 4/22 
Transistor
(P.P.)
Th. 
Apr. 17
25
Insulators - I
Basic electrodynamics; Dielectric properties; optical propertiers;
15
Tu. 
Apr. 22
26
 Insulators - II
 Pyroelectricity and ferroelectricity. Multiferroics
HW11
due 4/29 
quasicrystals
(C.H.)
Th. 
Apr. 24
27
 Semiconductors
band structure, carrier statistics
16
Tu. 
Apr. 29
28
Semiconductors - heterogeneous
impurity band conduction; physics of the p-n junction
Th. 
May. 01
29
Defects in crystals. Amorphous metals. Effects of the nanoscale.
thermodynamics and transport; polarons and excitons

Tuesday
6 May 2008
9:45 a.m.
11:45 a.m.

The class is over. Thank you all for participation.

We will continue in the Fall with Phys 512 (Magnetism and Superconductivity)

Deadlines/Details for Spring Semester 2008