PHYM401 Solid State Physics II
2007-2008
Code: PHYM401
Title: Solid State Physics II
Instructors:
Prof. A.K. Savchenko
CATS credits: 10
ECTS credits: 5
Availability: unrestricted
Level: M
Pre-requisites: Solid State Physics I (
PHY3102)
Co-requisites: N/A
Background Assumed: -
Duration: Semester I
Directed Study Time: 22 lectures
Private Study Time: 78 hours
Assessment Tasks Time: -
Observation report: awaiting notification
Aims
The aim of the module is to develop students' understanding of effects
which played a key role in the development of the modern solid state
physics and provide a general description of its current trends. The
module will require students to apply much of the core
physics covered in PHY2006, PHY2009, PHY3143 and PHY3102 to novel
systems and engage with fundamental electric, magnetic and optical
phenomena in metals and dielectrics. The theme linking the different
topics covered is the idea that electrons in solids can be treated as
quasi-particles interacting with other quasi-particles: electrons,
phonons, photons. In addition to electrons, other excitations in solids
are considered, e.g. Cooper pairs, plasmons and polaritons. The module
illustrates and draws on several research activities at the School:
studies of the metal-to-insulator transition, oscillatory effects in
strong magnetic fields, optical and magnetic phenomena.
Intended Learning Outcomes
Students should be able to:
Module Specific Skills
- develop the concept of energy bands in the
tight-binding approximation and compare the outcome of this methodology
with the nearly-free electron model described in PHY3102;
- explain how the conducting properties of metals are affected by
disorder and electron-electron interactions, and describe the types
of the metal-to-insulator transition;
- explain the significance of complex Fermi surfaces for transport
properties of metals and how the shape of the Fermi surface can be
mapped using oscillatory effects;
- develop classical and quantum mechanical descriptions of the electron
motion in electric and magnetic fields, Hall and magnetoresistive
effects;
- explain characteristic features of superconductors and the origin of
superconductivity;
- explain how interaction effects modify the properties of
quaisi-paricles in solids and descripe the origin of different
excitations: plasmon, polariton, polaron, exciton and magnon;
- explain the origin of the fundamental magnetic phenomena and the
basic models in their description;
Discipline Specific Skills
- apply core physics to the solution of problems involving
unfamiliar systems;
Personal and Key Skills
- use spatial reasoning to derive qualitative solutions to problems;
- manage the own work.
Learning and Teaching Methods
Lectures and problems classes.
Assignments
Students are given a set of problems to be solved during the course of lectures.
Assessment
One 90-minute examination (100%).
Syllabus Plan and Content
- Electrons in Metals and the Metal-to-Insulator Transition
- Tight-binding versus nearly-free-electron theory.
- Mott and Anderson types of the metal-to-insulator transition.
- Metal-to-insulator transition in three- and two-dimensional metals. Current situation in the field.
- Electron-electron interaction in metals: Fermi liquid
- Fermi Surface and Electron Dynamics in Metals.
- Construction of the Fermi surface and Fermi surfaces of some metals.
- Semiclassical model of electron dynamics. Electron motion in crossed magnetic and electric fields.
- Hall effect and magnetoresistance.
- Oscillatory Effects in Strong Magnetic Fields
- Landau quantisation of the electron spectrum.
- Shubnikov-de Haas and de Haas-van Alphen effects, experimental conditions for their observation.
- Mapping of the Fermi surface in three-dimensional metals.
- Superconductivity
- Difference between 'ideal' metal and superconductor. Specific
features of magnetic, thermal and optical properties of superconductors.
- Isotope effect. The concept of the Cooper pair and the outline of the
Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer (BCS) theory.
- Josephson effects. High-temperature superconductivity.
- Electrons, Phonons and Photons
- Dispersion relation for electromagnetic waves in solids and the
dielectric function of the electron gas.
- Plasma optics and plasmons.
- Dielectic function and electrostatic screening. Screened Coulomb potential.
- Phonon-photon interaction: polaritons.
- Electron-phonon interaction: polarons. Electron-hole interaction: excitons.
- Magnetic Properties of Solids
- Diamagnetism, paramagnetism and ferromagnetis: general concepts.
- Classical model of atomic diamagnetism.
- Langevin (classical) theory of paramagnetism and electron paramagnetism in metals.
- Ferromagnetism and antiferromagnetism.
- Spin waves and magnons.
Core Text
Kittel C. ,
Introduction to Solid State Physics,
Wiley (UL:
530.41 KIT)
Supplementary Text(s)
Ashcroft N.W. and Mermin N.D. (
1976),
Solid State Physics,
Holt-Saunders,
ISBN 0-03-083993-9 (UL:
530.41 ASH)
Burns G. (
1985),
Solid State Physics,
Academic Press,
ISBN 0-12-146070-3 (UL:
530.41 BUR)
Hook J.R. and Hall H.E. (
1991),
Solid State Physics (
2nd edition),
Wiley,
ISBN 0-471-928054 (UL:
530.41 HOO)
Formative Mechanisms
Students monitor their own progress by attempting the problems set which will be
discussed in class. Students who need additional guidance are encouraged to
discuss the matter with the lecturer.
Evaluation Mechanisms
The module will be evaluated using information gathered via the student representation mechanisms, the staff peer appraisal scheme, and measures of student attainment based on summative assessment.