Entry requirements

60 credits in science/engineering. Participation in Technical Thermodynamics. Participation in Quantum Physics (can be taken in parallel).

Learning outcomes

After completion of the course the student should:

• explain the basic concepts and models used to describe the structure of crystalline substances and their thermal, electronic and optical properties,
• use physical models to perform calculations of the properties of crystalline substances,
• give an overview of any area of application of the phenomena dealt with in the course.

Content

The periodic table, structure of crystals: Lattice, crystal structure, reciprocal lattice, and Brillouin zones, electron, X-ray, and neutron diffraction, phonons, state density, specific heat, and thermal conductivity.

Electron theory: Free electron model, basic band theory for 2D and 3D materials, metals, semiconductors, electrical conductivity, doping, pn junctions.

Laboratory work: Crystal structure and lattice vibrations, electron band structure, semiconductors.

Examples of applications for the subject. 

Brief review on quasiparticles

Instruction

Lectures (including guest lectures), lessons and laboratory work.

Assessment

Written examination (4 credits). Oral presentation of laboratory work (1 credit).

If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the disability coordinator of the university.