PHYS 541 - Condensed Matter Physics

3 units (fi 6)(EITHER, 3-0-0)

Faculty of Science

Lattices and crystal structure. Electrons and band structure; nearly-free electron model, tight-binding model, and other band structure approximations; Fermi surface; electron transport in metals and semiconductors. Lattice vibrations and thermal properties. Dielectric and optical properties of solids. Defects and surface states. Magnetism; electron-phonon interactions and superconductivity. Knowledge of condensed matter at the level of PHYS 415 or equivalent is required, as well as quantum mechanics at the level of PHYS 472 or equivalent, statistical mechanics at the level of PHYS 311 or equivalent, and electromagnetism at the level of PHYS 481 or equivalent.