Entry requirements

Quantum Physics, Statistical Mechanics and Scientific Computing I.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course, the student should be able to:

• relate crystal structure and degree of ordering to atom binding and packing,
• classify condensed matter upon its degree of order, with emphasis on scattering experiments,
• explain the thermal properties in solids in particular heat capacity,
• classify condensed matter upon its electrical and transport properties, based on its electronic structure,
• apply the obtained concepts to challenges in condensed matter physics.

Content

Condensed matter

1. Structure: crystalline and amorphous materials
2. Binding: condensed matter classified by inter-atomic forces

Reciprocal space

1. Scattering: short and long range order
2. Reciprocal space and the Brillouin zones
3. Phonons, thermal properties

Electrons

1. The free electron Fermi gas
2. Energy bands
3. Classification of materials: Metals, semiconductors, insulators

Instruction

Lectures, exercises, laboratory exercises and seminars. Project work on a current research topic.

Assessment

Assignments and laboratory reports (2 credits), oral exam (1 credit) and project presentation and report (2 credits).

If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the disability coordinator of the university.