Physics 601: Graduate Solid State Physics I






Fall 2016
Wednesdays  10:20 - 11:40 a.m.
Fridays       3:20 - 4:40 p.m.
ARC 203
Course Instructor:  Prof.  Premi Chandra                                       
Email:  pchandra@physics.rutgers.edu                                             
                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  


Overview:   In this graduate course we'll study the physics of electrons in solids with a focus on electron transport.  We'll begin with pre-quantum solid state physics and then will discuss free electron theory.  Next we'll  characterize the properties of static (crystal structure) and dynamic (lattice vibrations) arrangements of atoms using scattering methods.   We'll then study electrons in solids and will identify key features distinguishing metals, insulators and semiconductors.   Electron transport in solids will then be discussed in more detail. Next we will discuss semiconductor devices before then turning to an exotic semiconductor of current interest, graphene.  Our subsequent topic will be superconductors, metals that display dissipation-free conduction but are not perfect conductors but rather perfect diamagnets.  We'll study their thermodynamics and then the Ginzburg-Landau theory that was developed to describe them. This approach will then be applied to magnetic and ferroelectric phase transitions with specific links to observed quantities.   We'll end the course with discussion of novel insulators that are of current research interest.  Throughout the course we'll emphasize the assumptions of the models involved with frequent comparison with relevant experiment; we will discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the different approaches presented and will link, whenever possible, to current scientific literature.

Course Texbooks:   S.H. Simon, Solid State Basics,  (Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2013)
                                 M.P. Marder, Condensed Matter Physics, (John Wiley & Sons, Hoboken, 2010)


Syllabus


Week of
 Wednesday
 Friday
Sept. 5

Introduction/Overview

Early Solid State Physics:  Specific Heat of Solids
Sept. 12

Early Solid State Physics:  Drude Theory of Metals

Drude and Sommerfeld Theories of Metals
Sept. 19


Free Electron Theory


Sept. 26
Geometry of Solids
Geometry of Solids
Oct. 3

Neutron and X-Ray Diffraction


Neutron and X-Ray Diffraction
Oct. 10
Neutrons and X-Ray Diffraction

Make-Up Class M 10/10
4:45 - 6:10
ARC 204
Neutrons and X-Ray Diffraction
(W 10/12)

(No Class on F 10/14)
Oct. 17
Lattice Vibrations and Phonons
Lattice Vibrations and Phonons
Oct. 24

Lattice Vibrations and Phonons

                
                               
             How to Measure Dispersions with
                        Inelastic Scattering
                

                     

                                                 


Oct. 31`

Inelastic Neutron Scattering and Correlations

Midterm
Nov. 7

Electronic Structure:  Metals and Insulators

Electronic Structure:  Metals and Insulators
Nov. 14

  Electronic Structure:  Metals and Insulators

Semiconductors
Nov. 21

Semiconductors Continued

  PN Junctions
Nov. 28

The Transistor and Moore's Law 


Introduction to Superconductivity 


Dec. 5
No Class Dec. 7th

(Make-Up M 11/21)

More about Superconductors
Review for the Final
Dec. 12
Superconductivity and the Anderson-Higgs Boson

Dec. 12


Final

Friday Dec. 16th

ARC 205

2:00 - 5:00 p.m.




 


          



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