Study information

Condensed Matter II - 2024 entry

MODULE TITLECondensed Matter II CREDIT VALUE15
MODULE CODEPHYM003 MODULE CONVENERProf Saverio Russo (Coordinator)
DURATION: TERM 1 2 3
DURATION: WEEKS 11
Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated) 76
DESCRIPTION - summary of the module content

The module will apply much of the core physics covered in PHY2021, PHY2024, and PHY3051 to novel systems and engage with fundamental electric, magnetic and optical phenomena in metals and dielectrics. The module illustrates and draws on research undertaken in the Department: studies of the metal-to-insulator transition, oscillatory effects in strong magnetic fields, optical and magnetic phenomena.

Pre-requisite modules: PHY2024, PHY3051 and PHYM001 or equivalent modules.

AIMS - intentions of the module

The module aims to develop understanding of effects that played a key role in the development of contemporary solid state physics and to provide a general description of its current trends. The different topics covered will be linked by 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.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs) (see assessment section below for how ILOs will be assessed)
A student who has passed this module should be able to:
 
Module Specific Skills and Knowledge:
1. 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 PHY2024;
2. 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;
3. 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;
4. develop classical and quantum mechanical descriptions of the electron motion in electric and magnetic fields, Hall and magnetoresistive effects;
5. explain characteristic features of superconductors and the origin of superconductivity;
6. explain how interaction effects modify the properties of quaisi-particles in solids and describe the origin of different excitations: plasmon, polariton, polaron, exciton and magnon;
7. explain the origin of the fundamental magnetic phenomena and the basic models in their description;
 
Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:
8. apply core physics to the solution of problems involving unfamiliar systems;
 
Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge:
9. use spatial reasoning to derive qualitative solutions to problems;
10. manage their own work.
SYLLABUS PLAN - summary of the structure and academic content of the module
I. Electrons in Solids
  1. Calculations of Band Structure
    • Tight-binding
    • Comparison of tight-binding with the nearly-free electron model
    • Brief introduction to other methods, e.g. LCAO, Pseudo-potentials, LMTO, LAPW
  2. 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.
    • 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.
    • Metal-to-insulator transition in three- and two-dimensional metals. Current situation in the field.
    • Electron-electron interaction in metals: Fermi liquid
  3. 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.
II. Electrons, Phonons and Photons
  1. Dispersion relation for electromagnetic waves in solids and the dielectric function of the electron gas.
  2. Plasma optics and plasmons.
  3. Dielectic function and electrostatic screening. Screened Coulomb potential.
  4. Phonon-photon interaction: polaritons.
  5. Electron-phonon interaction: polarons.
  6. Interband transitions
  7. Electron-hole interaction: excitons.
  8. Raman Spectra
III. Quasiparticles in Low-dimensional Solids
  1. Excitons, plasmons, polarons, and polaritons
  2. Graphene
IV. Magnetic Properties of Solids
  1. Ferromagnetism and antiferromagnetism.
  2. Spin waves and magnons.
  3. Giant magneto-resistance.
LEARNING AND TEACHING
LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities 22 Guided Independent Study 128 Placement / Study Abroad 0
DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS
Category Hours of study time Description
Scheduled learning & teaching activities
 20 20×1-hour lectures
Scheduled learning & teaching activities
 2 2×1-hour problems/revision classes
Guided independent study 30 5×6-hour self-study packages
Guided independent study 16 4×4-hour problem sets
Guided independent study 82 Reading, private study and revision

 

ASSESSMENT
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - for feedback and development purposes; does not count towards module grade
Form of Assessment Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Guided self-study 5×6-hour packages (fortnightly) 1-10 Discussion in class
4 × Problems sets 4 hours per set (fortnightly) 1-10
Solutions discussed in problems classes.
 

 

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)
Coursework 0 Written Exams 100 Practical Exams 0
DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
Form of Assessment % of Credit Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Final Examination 100 2 hours 30 minutes 1-10 Written, collective feedback via ELE and solutions.

 

DETAILS OF RE-ASSESSMENT (where required by referral or deferral)
Original Form of Assessment Form of Re-assessment ILOs Re-assessed Time Scale for Re-assessment
Final Examination Written examination (100%) 1-10 Referral/deferral period

 

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES
An original assessment that is based on both examination and coursework, tests, etc., is considered as a single element for the purpose of referral; i.e., the referred mark is based on the referred examination only, discounting all previous marks. In the event that the mark for a referred assessment is lower than that of the original assessment, the original higher mark will be retained.
 
Physics Modules with PHY Codes
Referred examinations will only be available in PHY3064, PHYM004 and those other modules for which the original assessment includes an examination component - this information is given in individual module descriptors.
RESOURCES
INDICATIVE LEARNING RESOURCES - The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of
information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener

Core text:

  • Kittel C. (2005), Introduction to Solid State Physics (8th edition), Wiley, ISBN 978-0-471-41526-8 (UL: 530.41 KIT)

Supplementary texts:

  • 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)

Reading list for this module:

There are currently no reading list entries found for this module.

CREDIT VALUE 15 ECTS VALUE 7.5
PRE-REQUISITE MODULES PHY2024, PHY3051, PHYM001
CO-REQUISITE MODULES
NQF LEVEL (FHEQ) 7 AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING No
ORIGIN DATE Thursday 15th December 2011 LAST REVISION DATE Thursday 16th May 2024
KEY WORDS SEARCH Physics; Placeholder; Main; Topic placeholder; Specific; Option level; Level; Theory; Specific skill; Option

Please note that all modules are subject to change, please get in touch if you have any questions about this module.