PHYC4230 / 5230 Introduction to Condensed Matter Physics Winter 2016 Instructor
Fall term lecturer: Prof. Ted Monchesky, e-­‐mail: Theodore.Monchesky@Dal.Ca, office: Dunn Rm 239 TA: Simon Meynell, e-­‐mail: Simon.Meynell@Dal.ca, office: 242 Course Description
An introduction to the basic concepts of solid state physics that are related to the periodic nature of the crystalline lattice. Topics include crystal structure, X-­‐ray diffraction, phonons and lattice vibrations, the free electron theory of metals, energy bands, and magnetism. Prerequisites and Co-­‐requisites PHYC 3640.03 Quantum Mechanics I is required PHYC 3210.03 Statistical Mechanics is central to the study of solids. Unfortunately the current schedule doesn’t permit this course to be taught before this course. However, students are expected to take PHYC3210 concurrently with PHYC4230. I will introduce the necessary results of statistical mechanics as needed, which you will learn in detail in PHYC3210. Key knowledge or skills expected of students coming into the course The course consolidates many courses from your degree, as it touches on almost all of the physics courses that you have taken in undergraduate program including electricity and magnetism, thermodynamics, quantum mechanics and classical mechanics. The study of solids has played an integral role in the development of quantum mechanics and as you will learn quantum mechanics is fundamental to understanding the basic properties of matter. Since this course focuses on crystalline solids, you are expected to be confortable with Fourier analysis. Course goals and outcomes The goal of this course is to provide you with both a conceptual and quantitative understanding of solids. By the end of the course will be able to understand the material properties of most conventional solids in terms of an independent particle models. Course Materials
Required textbook: “The Oxford Solid State Basics”, by Steven H. Simon This book derives from a senior undergraduate course given at the University of Oxford. This is a very readable and concise textbook that I will follow closely. The soft cover is available through the Bookstore, although you can purchase a hardcover version through Amazon if you wish. Note that a rough draft of the textbook is available for free from the author’s homepage, although is missing some of the figures in the published version: http://www-­‐thphys.physics.ox.ac.uk/people/SteveSimon/condmat2012/LectureNotes2012.pdf Steven Simon has also made video podcast of his lectures available: https://podcasts.ox.ac.uk/series/oxford-­‐solid-­‐state-­‐basics This textbook is much shorter than most, and so I suspect that you will want to supplement this with additional reading material. Recommended reference textbooks: Steven Simon’s book makes many references to other textbooks and encourages students to read these. I will mention two of the sources that Simon uses. I have placed both of these on reserve in the library: • “Introduction to Solid State Physics”, by Charles Kittel, QC 176 K5 This is a classic that many undergraduate courses choose. Older versions are better: Version prior to the 6th edition (pre 1986) are best. I enjoyed this book and an undergraduate (even the 6th edition), but many on-­‐line reviews complain about this book, which is why I have choosen Simon’s book over this one. This has likely to do the fact that editors have been removing material from the book in order to add more modern topics. However, I suspect that you will find this very useful as a reference. I would recommend buying an older edition from Abebooks, or Powell Books DALHOUSIE UNIVERSITY Physics and Atmospheric Science p.1/4 PHYC4230 Introduction to Condensed Matter Physics • “Solid State Physics”, Neil Aschroft and N. David Mermin (1976), QC 176 A83 This is at a higher level than Kittel. It is somewhere between an undergraduate and graduate level book. It is a classic and would be my second choice as a reference. For the more serious student, this is probably a better choice over Kittel. Other good references are: • “Solid-­‐state physics an introduction to principles of materials science”, by Harald Ibach and Hans Lüth (2009). This book is particularly known for its description of the experimental techniques. The books is available electronically through the library. This is at a higher level than Kittel • “Solid State Physics, by Gerald Burns (1985) Although this is a graduate level book, it provides a lot of good qualitative explanations. The “International Edition” is available through Google Books. Additional resources (graduate level textbooks) These are more advanced that Aschroft and Kittel, but are also excellent references especially if you want more detail than what we can cover in an introductory course “Solid State Theory”, by Walter A. Harrison is one of my favourites, particularly for electronic structure. It is published by Dover, which means that it is inexpensive. “Fundamentals of Semiconductors”, by Peter Yu and Manuel Cardona is a modern classic. The library has an electronic copy. “Electronic Structure and the Properties of Solids”, also by Walter A. Harrison, and also a Dover publication. This is a great resource for tight-­‐binding calculations. “Principles of the Theory of Solids”, by J. M. Ziman. Another excellent book, particularly good for transport phenomena. It is between and undergraduate and intro-­‐grad level book. Course website: OWL (BbLearn) Announcements Announcements pertaining to lectures and laboratory will be made via e-­‐mail. Course Assessment
Conversion of numerical grades to Final Letter Grades follows the Dalhousie Common Grade Scale, shown below. Method 1 Method 2 1st Midterm 17% best of two quizzes 2nd Midterm 17% 22% Assignments 33% 33% Exam 33% 45% 100% 100% Problem Sets Grade Conversion A+
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD
F
90-100
85-89
80-84
77-79
73-76
70-72
65-69
60-64
55-59
50-54
< 50
You are encouraged to work on problem sets together, but the assignment that you hand in must be in you're your own words, and the calculations must be your own. When you complete your assignments, make sure that you explain what you are doing. Putting your thoughts into words is a very useful way of learning the material more deeply. NOTE: PHYC5230 students will have additional problems on their assignments. The problem sets will be approximately every week, and will be due on Friday at the start of class. Late assignments will not be accepted except under except under exceptional circumstances. Midterms 1st Midterm: Monday Feb 22; 2nd Midterm: Monday March 14. 4 DALHOUSIE UNIVERSITY Physics and Atmospheric Science p.2/4 PHYC4230 Introduction to Condensed Matter Physics Lectures and Reading Assignments
The following is a rough outline for the lectures, although this may change as this is the first time that I am teaching the course. You are expected to read the relevant sections before coming to class. Week 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Date 04-­‐Jan 06-­‐Jan 08-­‐Jan 11-­‐Jan 13-­‐Jan 15-­‐Jan 18-­‐Jan 20-­‐Jan 22-­‐Jan 25-­‐Jan 27-­‐Jan 29-­‐Jan 01-­‐Feb 03-­‐Feb 05-­‐Feb 08-­‐Feb 10-­‐Feb 12-­‐Feb 15-­‐Feb 22-­‐Feb 24-­‐Feb 26-­‐Feb 29-­‐Feb 02-­‐Mar 05-­‐Mar 07-­‐Mar 09-­‐Mar 11-­‐Mar 14-­‐Mar 16-­‐Mar 18-­‐Mar 21-­‐Mar 23-­‐Mar 25-­‐Mar 28-­‐Mar 30-­‐Mar 02-­‐Apr 04-­‐Apr 06-­‐Apr Lectures 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 Introduction Specific heat of solids Debye calculation of specific heat Drude theory of electron transport Basic Fermi-­‐Dirac Statistics Sommerfeld theory of electron transport Chemical bonding Tight binding approximation Vibrations in monoatomic chain Vibrations in diatomic chain Tight binding chain Crystal structure Crystal structure (con't) Reciprocal lattice Munroe Miller indices and Brioullin zones Wave scattering by crystals Diffraction Reading week Midterm Diffraction (con't) Experimental methods of diffraction Electrons in a periodic potential Electron energy bands Electron energy bands (con't) Optical properties Semiconductors Semiconductors (con't) Semiconductor devices Magnetic properties Magnetic moments Paramagnetism and diamagnetism in solids Ferromagnetism and antiferromagnetism Good Friday Symmetry breaking and ising model Hysteresis and magnetic domains Mean field theory Hubbard model Review Accommodation policy for students
Students may request accommodation as a result of barriers related to disability, religious obligation, or any characteristic protected under Canadian Human Rights legislation. The full text of Dalhousie’s Student Accommodation Policy can be accessed here: http://www.dal.ca/dept/university_secretariat/policies/academic/student-­‐
accommodation-­‐policy-­‐wef-­‐sep-­‐-­‐1-­‐-­‐2014.html Students who require accommodation for classroom participation or the writing of tests and exams should make their request to the Advising and Access Services Centre (AASC) prior to or at the outset of the regular academic year. More information and the Request for Accommodation form are available at www.dal.ca/access. 4 DALHOUSIE UNIVERSITY Physics and Atmospheric Science p.3/4 PHYC4230 Introduction to Condensed Matter Physics Academic integrity
Academic integrity, with its embodied values, is seen as a foundation of Dalhousie University. It is the responsibility of all students to be familiar with behaviours and practices associated with academic integrity. Instructors are required to forward any suspected cases of plagiarism or other forms of academic cheating to the Academic Integrity Officer for their Faculty. The Academic Integrity website (http://academicintegrity.dal.ca) provides students and faculty with information on plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty, and has resources to help students succeed honestly. The full text of Dalhousie’s Policy on Intellectual Honesty and Faculty Discipline Procedures is available here: http://www.dal.ca/dept/university_secretariat/academic-­‐integrity/academic-­‐policies.html STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT Dalhousie University has a student code of conduct, and it is expected that students will adhere to the code during their participation in lectures and other activities associated with this course. In general: “The University treats students as adults free to organize their own personal lives, behaviour and associations subject only to the law, and to University regulations that are necessary to protect ¡ the integrity and proper functioning of the academic and non – academic programs and activities of the University or its faculties, schools or departments; ¡ the peaceful and safe enjoyment of University facilities by other members of the University and the public; ¡ the freedom of members of the University to participate reasonably in the programs of the University and in activities on the University's premises; ¡ the property of the University or its members.” The full text of the code can be found here: http://www.dal.ca/dept/university_secretariat/policies/student-­‐life/code-­‐of-­‐student-­‐conduct.html 4 DALHOUSIE UNIVERSITY Physics and Atmospheric Science p.4/4