Entry requirements

120 credits in science/engineering. Attended course in Solid State Physics I or introduction to Materials Engineering. Proficiency in English equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6.

Learning outcomes

After passing the course, the student should be able to:

• explain the classical theory of how light propagates in a solid body,
• make qualitative and quantitative analyzes of optical properties for different materials based on their electronic properties, and explain the relationship between electron structure, size and optical properties,
• describe different types of electronic and optical processes in insulators, metals and semiconductors, as well as frequency and size-dependent properties,
• describe different applications of optical materials such as optical filters, LEDs, diode lasers, solar cells, solar absorbers, smart windows, and meta-materials.
• assess the significance, possibilities and limitations for functionalizing materials with specific electronic and optical properties.

Content

Band structure and optical properties for different types of materials classified on the basis of their electronic structure: insulators, semiconductors and metals. Band structure models and condition density. Optical processes and excitons in materials. Fresnel formalism that describes the interaction of light with matter. Oscillator models. Thin film optics with interference effects in thin surfaces. Nano-optics. Metamaterials. Knowledge of functional optical materials in applications such as absorber surfaces in thermal solar collectors, solar cells, chemical catalysis and heat-reflecting surface layers in smart windows.

Instruction

Plenary lectures, problem solving classes and laboratory work.

Assessment

Written exam at the end of the course (4 credits) and laboratory work (1 credit).

If there are special reasons, the examiner may make exceptions from the specified examination method and allow an individual student to be examined in another way. Special reasons can e.g. be notified of special educational support from the university's coordinator for students with disabilities. Digital examination can be made if there are special reasons to do so.