Page 26 - CatalogNEP-PS

Phys.311 Condensed Matter Physics-I 3+1

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

The primary objective of this course is to:
 understand of crystal structure, band theory of solid, lattice dynamics, magnetic and
dielectric properties of matter, ferroelectric materials, and superconductivity
phenomenon.
 Understanding the basics of crystalline materials will be useful for other high level
courses such as condensed matter physics, material characterization and engineering.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

On successful completion of the module, students should be able to:
 Have a basic knowledge of crystal systems and spatial symmetries; Be able to account
for how crystalline materials are studied using diffraction, including concepts like the
Edwald‘s sphere, form factor, structure factor, and scattering amplitude.
 perform structure determination of simple structures; Understand the concept of
reciprocal space and be able to use it as a tool to know the significance of Brillouin
zones; Know what phonons are, and be able to perform estimates of their dispersive
and thermal properties
 understand the elementary lattice dynamics, phonons and its influence on the
properties of materials, describe the main features of the physics of electrons in solids;
 calculate thermal and electrical properties in the free-electron model and know Bloch's
theorem and energy band and distinction between metals, semiconductors and
insulators; Be able to estimate the charge carrier mobility and density; Be able to
account for what the Fermi surface is and how it can be measured.
 explain the dielectric ferroelectric and magnetic properties of solids and understand
the basic concept in superconductivity.

THEORY (45 Hours)

UNIT 1 (10 Hours)
Crystal Structure: Solids: Amorphous and Crystalline Materials. Lattice Translation Vectors.
Lattice with a Basis– Central and Non-Central Elements. Symmetry Elements Unit Cell. Miller
Indices. Reciprocal Lattice. Types of Lattices. Brillouin Zones. Diffraction of X-rays by Crystals.
Bragg‟s Law. Laue Condition, experimental methods, Atomic and Geometrical Factor.
UNIT 2 (8 Hours)

Elementary Lattice Dynamics: Lattice Vibrations and Phonons: Linear Monoatomic and
Diatomic Chains. Acoustical and Optical Phonons. Qualitative Description of the Phonon
Spectrum in Solids. Dulong and Petit‟s Law, Einstein and Debye theories of specific heat of
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solids. T law.
UNIT 3 (7 Hours)

Electrons in Solids: Electrons in metals- Drude Model, Density of states (1-D,2-D,3-D),Fermi
energy and fermi velocity, electronic contribution to specific heat of metals. Elementary band
theory: Kronig Penny model. Band Gap, Effective mass, mobility, Hall Effect (Metal and
Semiconductor).
UNIT 4 (10 Hours)

Magnetic Properties of Matter: Dia-, Para-, Ferri- and Ferromagnetic Materials. Classical

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