Solid State Physics (U01442)

? Credit Points : 10 ? SCQF Level : 11 ? Acronym : PHY-4-SolState

After an introduction to some of the modern tools used to tackle the many-body quantum problem, such as Density Functional Theory, we discuss the electronic structure of solids and transport phenomena. Finally, we cover selected topics in magnetism and superconductivity.

Entry Requirements

? Pre-requisites : At least 80 credit points accrued in courses of SCQF Level 9 or 10 drawn from Schedule Q, including Physical Mathematics (PHY-3-PhMath) or equivalent; prior attendance at Condensed Matter Physics (PHY-4-CondMatt).

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Undergraduate (School of Physics), (School of Physics, Schedule Q)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 4th year

? Delivery Period : Semester 2 (Blocks 3-4)

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) per week for 11 weeks

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Tuesday	10:00	10:50	KB
Lecture	Friday	10:00	10:50	KB

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to:
1)Write the equations underlying the most common approximations used in the quantum theory of solids, such as the Born-Oppenheimer and Hartree-Fock approximation and explain the assumptions behind such approximations
2)Describe the jellium model and identify the limits of strong versus weak electron correlations
3)State the fundamental equations of the Thomas-Fermi model and relate it to Density Functional Theory
4)State the Hohenberg-Kohn theorem of Density Functional Theory and describe the Kohn-Sham scheme and Local Density Approximation for practical calculations
5)Write down Bloch's theorem and use it to formulate the equations of the nearly free electron theory of metals
6)Describe the tight-binding band structure theory, contrast it to the nearly free electron approach and calculate the tight-binding band structure for a single s-atomic orbital
7)Identify the circumstances under which a substance is a metal or an insulator and contrast their properties
8)Reproduce the Boltzmann equation of transport in the relaxation time approximation and explain the origin of the various terms in the equation; use the equation to calculate the electrical conductivity for parabolic bands
9)Derive Curie's law of magnetism and the Pauli paramagnetism of metals; contrast para- and diamagnetic substances; explain under what circumstances ferromagnetism can occur in the jellium model
10)Describe the phonomenology of superconductivity and its microscopic origin in simple metals; solve the Cooper problem