Overview

The course deals with introducing concepts of condensed matter physics to advanced undergraduate and postgraduate students. The course will be pitched at the level of a first year course in MSc in Physics. For this course, an exposure to undergraduate level of: (a) quantum mechanics, (b) statistical and thermal physics and (c) electromagnetic theory (d) magnetic properties of materials, is expected for this course. It is hoped that through this course, the student will understand the quantum theory of solids which is used to describe the thermal and electrical properties of a solid. The student will explore the interaction of a solid with electromagnetic radiation. During the course the student will be exposed to some experiments related to probing various properties of solid

Course objectives

• why and how a classical description (Boltzmann, Drude theory) has to be replaced by a quantummechanical one.
• electrons in a periodic potential (Bloch theorem, band structure)
  Finally, one is up to date, in a qualitative sense, with modern challenges in Solid State Physics: high-temperature superconductivity, metal-insulator transitions,semiconductors.
• Behaviour of thermal conductivity of a solid and relationship with electrical conductivity.
• Wave Equation of Electron in a Periodic Potential,Band Gap
• Equations of Motion, effective mass, concept of a hole, Intrinsic Carrier Concentration, Impurity Conductivity.
•  Superconductivity 

Readings / Recommended Books

1. Solid State Physics, by Ashcroft and Mermin, (1976).

2. Introduction to Solid State Physics, by C. Kittel, 7th Edition, (1996).

3. Principles of the Theory of Solids, by J. M. Ziman, (1972).

4. Solid State Physics, by Grasso, G. Parravicini, Gp, (AP 2000)

5. The Physics and Chemistry of Solids, by Elliott, SR, Wiley, (1998).

6. The Science and engineering of materials. Alternate Edition. Prindle weber Schmidit

    Boston, Massachusetts 02116. (1985)

System of Evaluation

              Sessional: 20 marks

              Midterm exam: 30 marks

              Final exam: 50 marks

Key Dates

              Midterm exam will be conducted after eight weeks from the start of course and after sixteen weeks final term exam will be conducted

Time Table of Classes

              The class for this course will be conducted on

              Monday:       From 08:00 am to 9:00 am

              Tuesday:      From 08:00 am to 9:00 am           

             Wednesday: From 08:00 am to 9:00 am