Details of PH4101 (Autumn 2018)

Level: 4 Type: Theory Credits: 4.0

Course CodeCourse NameInstructor(s)
PH4101 Basic Condensed Matter Physics Goutam Dev Mukherjee

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.

Syllabus
(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
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.ProgrammeSemester NoCourse Choice
1 IP 1 Not Allowed
2 IP 3 Core
3 IP 5 Not Allowed
4 MR 1 Elective
5 MR 3 Not Allowed
6 MS 7 Core
7 RS 1 Elective
8 RS 2 Elective