Physics of Solid State Phase Transitions

Course guarantor:

Jiří Hlinka

Lecturer:

Jiří Hlinka

Tutor:

Jiří Hlinka

Supervisor:

Department of Solid State Engineering

Synopsis:

A number of interesting properties of crystalline materials are directly related or significantly influenced by occurrence of specific phase transitions. The purpose of this course is to provide unifying view on various types phase transitions encountered in solid state physics, with the emphasize on continuous symmetry braking phase transitions.

Requirements:

Syllabus of lectures:

1. Classification schemes for phase transitions. 2. Thermodynamic description of phase transitions. 3. Phenomenological theories with order parameter. 4. Critical behaviour near phase transitions of second type within Landau theory. 5. Symmetry approach in Landau theory. 6. Ginzburg-Landau functional, dynamical interpretation and limits of Landau theory. 7. Models of nucleation and growth. 8. Realistic and simplified microscopic models for symmetry breaking. Ising model. 9. Classical/quantum and order-disorder/displacive crossovers. 10. Critical exponents, universality classes and failure of mean-field approximations. 11. Spinodal decomposition and martensitic phase transitions. 12. Domains and domain structures. 13. Investigations of phase transitions.

Syllabus of tutorials:

Study Objective:

Knowledge: ^^Basic understanding of phase transitions and their classifications. ^^Skills: ^^Ability to use universal laws a relations related to phase transitions in solids.

Study materials:

Key references: ^^[1]. L. D. Landau and E. Lifshitz: Physique Statistique, Editions Mir, Moscow, 1967. ^^Recommended references: ^^[2]. CH. Kittel, Introduction to Solid State Physics.

Note:

Time-table for winter semester 2024/2025:

Time-table is not available yet

Time-table for summer semester 2024/2025:

Time-table is not available yet

The course is a part of the following study plans: