Details of PH4101 (Autumn 2016)
| Level: 4 | Type: Theory | Credits: 3.0 |
| Course Code | Course Name | Instructor(s) |
|---|---|---|
| PH4101 | Basic Condensed Matter Physics | Amit Ghosal |
| Preamble |
|---|
| This course provides an introduction to a bunch of basic phenomena that collectively define Condensed Matter Physics or Solid State Physics. Emphasis will be given on developing a coherent path for understanding the set of rather diverse phenomena.
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| Syllabus |
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| (1) Introduction and motivation for Condensed Matter Physics (CMP)
Review of Qtm. & Stat. Mech (if required) Discussion of energy scales of CMP The Born-Oppenheimer Approximation (2) Free (independent) electron gas: Quantum mechanics of FEG (T=0) Thermodynamics of FEG (T/=0), observables Cv, DOS etc. (3) Perfect Lattice and its vibration: Linear chain in 1D, phonons and Hamiltonian describing lattice vibration. Thermodynamics of 1D chain, phonon contribution to Cv, DOS etc. Vibrational modes for linear chain with basis and in higher dimensions (4) Ionic/Nuclear perfect Lattices: 2 and 3D Bravais lattices, unit cells Reciprocal lattice, lattice planes, X'tal directions, diffraction X-ray study of X'tals (5) Independent electrons on Periodic Lattice: Free electrons on a perfect lattice -- Bloch's theorem Concept of energy bands Free electrons weakly bound to lattice -- Perturbation theory Free electrons tightly bound to lattice -- tight binding model Free electrons versus Bloch electrons Physical examples: conductivity, Hall Effects etc for Bloch electrons. (7) Semiconductors: Introduction from Band theory -- electron & hole density in eqlbm Intrinsic and extrinsic semiconductors dopants, poplation of dopant levels -- importance for technology (8) Magnetism with non-int el/atoms: Magnetic dipole moment, dynamics of classical mag dipole in field magnetic susceptibility and classifications e.g. para-, dia-, ferro- antiferro-magnets Larmor/Langevin diamagnetism, Landau levels -- Landau diamagnetism Atomic magnetism -- Hund's rule 1, 2 and 3. Curie Law Magnetism of metals -- Pauli paramagnetism (9) Basic Phenomenology of Superconductivity: Meissner Effect, Energy gap, London's theory, and the experimental observations that collectively define superconductivity. |
| Prerequisite |
|---|
| This being a core course does not really define prerequisites,
but the knowledge of Quantum and Statistical mechanics play pivotal roles in developing concepts for this course along with other courses taught up to 3rd year of study in BS-MS program at IISER. |
| References |
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| Long List of References:
(1) Solid State Physics, N. W. Ashcroft and N. D. Mermin, Saunders College Publishing, 1976. (2) Introduction to Solid State Physics, 8th Ed., C. Kittel, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2005. (3) Condensed Matter Physics, M. P. Marder, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2000. (4) Solid-State Physics, H. Ibach and H. Luth, Springer, 2009 (5) Band Theory and Electronic Properties of Solids, John Singleton, Oxford Univ Press, 2001. Short List of References: (1) Solid State Physics, N. W. Ashcroft and N. D. Mermin, Saunders College Publishing, 1976. (2) Introduction to Solid State Physics, 8th Ed., C. Kittel, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2005.] |
Course Credit Options
| Sl. No. | Programme | Semester No | Course Choice |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | IP | 1 | Not Allowed |
| 2 | IP | 3 | Core |
| 3 | IP | 5 | Not Allowed |
| 4 | MR | 1 | Not Allowed |
| 5 | MR | 3 | Not Allowed |
| 6 | MS | 7 | Core |
| 7 | RS | 1 | Elective |
| 8 | RS | 2 | Elective |