Physics 406: Intro to Solid State Physics
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Mondays, Thursdays 10:20 - 11:40 a.m.
ARC 204
| Course
Instructor: Prof. Premi
Chandra
Grader: Mr. Yanan Geng Email: pchandra@physics.rutgers.edu Email: gengynan@physics.rutgers.edu Office Hour: W 1:30 - 2:30 (263E Serin) |
Overview: This course is intended to provide an introduction to the physics of solids. We'll begin by characterizing the properties of static (crystal structure) and dynamic (lattice vibrations) arrangements of atoms. Next we'll study electrons in solids and will identify key features distinguishing metals, insulators and semiconductors. Ferroelectric and piezoelectric materials will also be discussed. We'll end with two examples of macroscopic quantum phenomena, magnetism and superconductivity, and a discussion of current open questions.
Course Texbook: M. Ali Omar, Elementary Solid State Physics, (Addison-Wesley 1993).
Supplementary Text: C. Kittel, Introduction to Solid State Physics, (John Wiley & Sons 2005).
| Week of |
Monday |
Thursday |
| Jan. 19 |
Introduction/Overview |
|
| Jan. 26 |
Crystal
Structures and Diffraction Homework 1 (due 2/2) Handout 1 Handout 2 HW1 Solutions Kittel Figure |
Crystal
Structures and Diffraction |
| Feb. 2 |
Crystal
Structures and Diffraction Homework 2 (due 2/9) Handout 3 HW2 Solutions |
Crystal
Structures and Diffraction |
| Feb. 9 |
Lattice
Vibrations Homework 3 (due 2/16) (Take-Home) Quiz 1 Solutions HW 3 Solutions Handout 4 |
Lattice
Vibrations |
| Feb. 16 |
Lattice
Vibrations No Class! Make-Up Class (2/10) Lecture Notes |
Midterm
I Midterm I Solutions |
| Feb. 23 | Free-Electron
Model of Metals Homework 4 (due 3/9) HW 4 Solutions Handout 5 |
Free-Electron
Model of Metals |
| March 2 |
Snow Day! |
Free-Electron
Model of Metals |
| March
9 |
Electronic
Band Structure Homework 5 (due 3/26) HW 5 Solutions Kittel Chapter 7 Handout 6 |
Electronic Band
Structure
|
| March 16 |
Spring Break! |
Spring Break! |
| March 23 |
Electronic
Band Structure |
Electronic
Band Structure |
| March 30 |
Semiconductors Quiz 2 Solutions Homework 6 (due 4/6) HW 6 Solutions Handout 7 Make-Up Class Notes |
Semiconductors |
| April 6 |
Semiconductors |
Midterm
II Midterm II Solutions |
| April 13 |
Semiconductors
(Devices) Homework 7 (due 4/20) HW 7 Solutions Handout 8 |
Semiconductors
(Devices) |
| April 20 | Semiconductors
(Devices) |
Superconductivity Quiz 3 Solutions |
| April 27 |
Superconductivitvity Homework 8 (due 5/4) HW 8 Solutions Handout 9 |
Superconductivity |
| May 4 |
Current Topics and Course Review |
Final Friday May 8th |
There will be in-class quizzes roughly every two weeks.
February 19
Midterm I
April 9
Midterm II
May 8
Final
Breakdown of Grades
| 15% |
Homework |
| 10%
|
Quizzes |
| 20% |
Midterm
I |
| 20% |
Midterm
II |
| 35% |
Final |
The lowest homework and the lowest quiz grades will be dropped.
Class participation is greatly encouraged and could
contribute positively towards the final grade.
Special
Announcements
Final on Friday May 8th 8:00 - 11:00 a.m.
in ARC 204
Please bring an equation sheet and a calculator!
Final on Friday May 8th 8:00 - 11:00 a.m.
in ARC 204
Please bring an equation sheet and a calculator!