PHYS 415/515 - Solid State Physics

Spring 2008

Objective: To provide a basic understanding of the fundamental aspects and applications of the physics of solids, including structure, lattice dynamics, and electronic properties of different materials (metals, semiconductors, dielectrics, magnetic materials and superconductors), based on the application of classical and quantum physics principles.

Class Hours: Mon., Wed. 4:40 – 5:55 PM Location: MP 408

Instructor: Dmitri Tenne email: dmitritenne@boisestate.edu
Office: MP 422 Phone: 208-426-1633
Office Hours: Tue, Thu. 10 am – noon, or by appointment

Webpage: blackboard.boisestate.edu
Syllabus, lecture notes, and homework assignments will be posted on Blackboard.

Text: M. A. Omar, “Elementary Solid State Physics”, Addison-Wesley, 1993. Earlier printing is acceptable.

Supplemental texts:

• H. Ibach, H. Lüth, “Solid-State Physics. An Introduction to Principles of Materials Science”, Springer, 2003.
• C. Kittel, Introduction to Solid State Physics, 8th Edition, Wiley, 2004.
• S. O. Kasap, Principles of Electronic Materials and Devices, 3rd Edition, McGraw-Hill, 2006.
• J. S. Blakemore, "Solid State Physics”, 3rd Edition, Cambridge University Press, 1985
• P. Yu and M. Cardona, “Fundamentals of semiconductors”
• N. W. Ashcroft and N. D. Mermin, “Solid State Physics”

Course Outline:

1. Crystal structure, symmetry and types of chemical bonds. (Chapter 1)

The crystal lattice Point symmetry The 32 crystal classes Types of bonding (covalent, ionic, metallic bonding; hydrogen and van der Waals).

2. Diffraction from periodic structures (Chapter 2)

Reciprocal lattice; Brillouin zonesLaue condition and Bragg lawStructure factor; defectsMethods of structure analysis

3. Lattice vibrations and thermal properties (Chapter 3)

Elastic properties of crystals; elastic wavesModels of lattice vibrations PhononsTheories of phonon specific heat; thermal conduction.Anharmonicity; thermal expansion

4. Electrons in metals (Chapters 4–5)

Free electron theory of metalsFermi StatisticsBand theory of solids

5. Semiconductors (Chapters 6–7)

Band structure.Electron statistics; carrier concentration and transport; conductivity; mobilityImpurities and defectsMagnetic field effects: cyclotron resonance and Hall effectOptical properties; absorption, photoconductivity and luminescenceBasic semiconductor devices

6. Dielectric properties of solids (Chapter 8)

Dielectric constant and polarizability (susceptibility) Dipolar polarizability, ionic and electronic polarizabilityPiezoelectricity; pyro- and ferroelectricity

7. Magnetism (Chapter 9)

Magnetic susceptibility Classification of materials; diamagnetism, paramagnetismFerromagnetism and antiferromagnetismMagnetic resonance

8. Superconductivity (Chapter 10)

Prerequisites: PHYS 309 or instructor’s permission

Grading: A: 88 – 100% (A-: 88-89%, A+: 99-100%) B: 75 – 88% (B-: 75—77%, B+: 86-88%);
C: 60 – 75% (C-: 60-62%, C+: 73-75%); D: 45 – 60%
Homework: 25 % for PHYS 415 and 15 % for PHYS 515 students
Research project: 10 % for PHYS 515 students
In-class exams: 15% each; Final exam: 30%

Homework
Assignments will be due weekly, usually on Mondays. Assignments are due at the beginning of class.For those registered for PHYS 415, 25% of the grading will be based on homework. For PHYS 515 students 15% of the grade will be based on the homework and 10% – on a research project. Homework problems, lectures, and text readings will form the basis of the exam problems.

Project
Graduate students will perform a research project on a selected topic of contemporary solid state physics. Each graduate student will study the specific effect of their choice by reviewing scientific journal articles focusing on the effect chosen. A formal report will be written, with a typical length of approximately 10 pages (double spaced). It should be well organized and include an abstract, figures and reference section. The report will be graded on the basis of its originality, clarity of expression, and technical accuracy.

Exams:There will be three in-class exams and a final exam. The exams will be based on the assigned homework problems, the assigned readings in the text, lecture notes, and the lectures. Students are allowed to use lecture notes and formula sheets. Not allowed to discuss the problems with other students.

Academic honestyStudents are encouraged to discuss the lectures and textbook material, work together on homework problems, and study together for exams. However, students are not allowed to present other people’s work as their own (including copying another student's homework as well as using of problem solutions found in the Internet or elsewhere). Plagiarism (using someone else’s results or ideas without citing the source) will not be tolerated and could have severe consequences, including, but not limited to, ejection from the course with a failing grade.