Basics of Solid State Physics

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Department of Solid State Engineering

Synopsis:

Description of fundamental properties of solids following the regular long distance ordering of atoms in a crystal lattice. Based on interaction between atoms in solids various types of crystals and their properties are defined. Lattice dynamics of simple lattices in harmonic approximation and thermal properties of crystals are studied. Periodic potential of crystal lattice allows description of energy structure via electronic energy bands. The goal is to present a wide phenomenological base of physical properties of crystalline solids.

Requirements:

Syllabus of lectures:

1Classification of solids. Interaction between atoms in solids, crystal lattice. Reciprocal lattice. Types of bonds: van der Waals and ionic bonds

2Types of bonds: covalent, metal and hydrogen bonds

3Lattice dynamics in harmonic approximation. Vibrations of linear lattice with monatomic basis

4Lattice dynamics in harmonic approximation. Vibrations of linear lattice with two atoms in primitive basis. Acoustic and optical modes

5Quantization of lattice vibrations. Phonons

6Thermal properties of solids. Lattice heat capacity: Planck distribution, density of states (Debye model, Einstein model)

7Anharmonic crystal interactions: thermal expansion, thermal conductivity, thermal resistivity of phonon gas, umklapp processes

8Metals. Free electron Fermi gas. Drude model. Infinite potential well. Sommerfeld model. Free electron gas in 3D

9Heat capacity of electron gas. Electrical conductivity and Ohm’s law. Electron motion in magnetic field. Thermal conductivity of metals

10Energy band structure in solids. Periodic potential, Bloch theorem. Kronig-Penney model from Schrödinger equation

11Wave equation of electron in a periodic potential. Solution of central equation in 1D. Kronig-Penney model in reciprocal space. Empty lattice approximation

12Semiconductors. Band gap. Direct and indirect semiconductors. Equation of motion of an electron in an energy band

13Holes. Effective mass in semiconductors. Impurity conductivity: donors, acceptors.

Syllabus of tutorials:

1Classification of solids. Interaction between atoms in solids, crystal lattice. Reciprocal lattice. Types of bonds: van der Waals and ionic bonds

2Types of bonds: covalent, metal and hydrogen bonds

3Lattice dynamics in harmonic approximation. Vibrations of linear lattice with monatomic basis

4Lattice dynamics in harmonic approximation. Vibrations of linear lattice with two atoms in primitive basis. Acoustic and optical modes

5Quantization of lattice vibrations. Phonons

6Thermal properties of solids. Lattice heat capacity: Planck distribution, density of states (Debye model, Einstein model)

7Anharmonic crystal interactions: thermal expansion, thermal conductivity, thermal resistivity of phonon gas, umklapp processes

8Metals. Free electron Fermi gas. Drude model. Infinite potential well. Sommerfeld model. Free electron gas in 3D

9Heat capacity of electron gas. Electrical conductivity and Ohm’s law. Electron motion in magnetic field. Thermal conductivity of metals

10Energy band structure in solids. Periodic potential, Bloch theorem. Kronig-Penney model from Schrödinger equation

11Wave equation of electron in a periodic potential. Solution of central equation in 1D. Kronig-Penney model in reciprocal space. Empty lattice approximation

12Semiconductors. Band gap. Direct and indirect semiconductors. Equation of motion of an electron in an energy band

13Holes. Effective mass in semiconductors. Impurity conductivity: donors, acceptors.

Study Objective:

Study materials:

Key references

[1] Ch. Kittel : Kittel's Introduction to Solid State Physics Global Edition, Wiley-VCH, 9th edition, Berlin 2018.

[2] A. Aharony, O. Entin-Wohlman: Introduction to Solid state Physics, World Scientific 2018.

Other references:.

[5] M.P. Marder: Condensed Matter Physics, J.Wiley, New York 2000

Note:

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No time-table has been prepared for this course

The course is a part of the following study plans: