Solid State Physics
PHYS 403/604 Fall, 2008
SOLID STATE PHYSICS
Instructor: Dr. Laszlo Takacs
PHYS 309, (410) 455-2524,
Place and Time:PHYS 201, MF 2:30-3:45 pm
Office hours:W 2:00 – 3:00 pm, MF 10-11 am
Primary text:Charles Kittel: Introduction to Solid State Physics
8th edition, Wiley, 0-471-41526-X
Prerequisites for undergraduates: PHYS 303 and 324.
Content
Solids show a broad variety of interesting and useful properties, from the strength and good electrical conduction of metals to the switching properties of semiconductor devices and the quantum effects of nanostructured materials. Solid state (or in broader terms, condensed matter) physics attempts to explain the behavior of solids by applying quantum mechanics and statistical physics to a collection of atoms arranged in an ordered manner.
Course objectives
This course will review the most important principles of solid state physics. The primary focus is the motion of electrons and related properties – electrical conduction, semiconductor devices, magnetism, quantum effects, etc. The sister of this course, PHYS 430/603 “Introduction to Materials,” deals more with preparation, phase diagrams, defects, and mechanical properties. Structure and characterization techniques are discussed in both courses, but with different emphases. “Materials” and “Solid State” are independent courses, neither is a prerequisite to the other. One can take either, or both in any order.
Course Format
This is a traditional lecture course, most of the new knowledge will be obtained from lectures and reading materials. Class discussions and literature search will provide additional information.
Homework
Assignments will be given almost every week, they will be due at the beginning of the lecture on Monday. They will contain quantitative problems as well as essay questions. Start the homework early, leaving time for additional study if necessary. The two lowest homework grades will be dropped. A large part of your grade will be determined by the homework.
Tests
There will be two in-class midterm tests, tentatively scheduled for October 13 and November 21. The final is cumulative, with more emphasis on the material covered after the second midterm. If a question involves the application of a complicated formula, I will include the formula as a “hint” on the test sheet. Extensive memorization will not be needed. But you will need to know the meaning of the parameters and the proper way of applying a formula to the actual situation. Many test questions will require qualitative reasoning or the construction and interpretation of graphs. These are as important as the quantitative calculations.
If you miss a test for medical or other unavoidable reason, provide proof and you will be given a make-up test. If you know that you have to miss a test for a foreseeable reason, make arrangements before the test. Contrary to the saying, it is easier to get permission than forgiveness from me.
Graduate / Undergraduate
This is a cross-listed course undergraduate and graduate students will work together. My expectations are more quantitative from the graduate students. They will get extra homework problems and one or two separate test questions. Also, they are required to write a short (~10 pages) literature review paper and give a 20-minute lecture about the subject at the end of the semester. The topic of the project must be decided by September 15 and a proposal on its content and the main references must be discussed with the instructor by October 27. It will not contribute to the letter grade in the course, but completion to the instructor’s satisfaction is a requirement to receive a passing grade.
Grades will be determined based on the sum of all points earned during the semester:
2Midterm exams100 points each=200
1Final exam200 points=200
10Homeworks 10 points each=100
Total 500
Approximately, A will be given for at least 400, B for at least 330, C for at least 260 points. Notice that homeworks contribute 20% toward your grade; I consider them very important. I am a rather harsh grader, thus this limits are less generous than they may look.
Academic Integrity
“By enrolling in this course, each student assumes the responsibilities of an active participant in UMBC's scholarly community in which everyone's academic work and behavior are held to the highest standards of honesty. Cheating on a test could result in disciplinary action that may include, but is not limited to, suspension or dismissal.” More on the requirements of academic integrity can be found at
Applied to this course, the principle above means that a proven case of misconduct during a test or homework “earns” zero on the assignment in question. A second offence will result in failing the course.
Although you are allowed to discuss the homework questions with other students, the final solution must be your own individual work. Simply copying from another student is considered cheating.
On my side, I promise well-prepared lectures, careful and timely grading, and openness.
Questions and Comments
If you have any question, concern, or suggestion during the semester, do not hesitate to talk to me as soon as possible. Do not wait until the end of the semester.
In particular, there is a mixture of undergraduate and graduate students in the course. At some points I may bore you with material you have seen before; this is unavoidable to some degree, but a waste of time, if it goes on for too long. Let me know. At other times, I may run ahead too quickly, assuming knowledge you do not have. Stop me immediately. I will either go back a few steps, or find some other way to remedy the problem. Lack of background is not an excuse for failing a test question or for not doing a homework problem
Although I do have designated office hours when I try to be in or near my office, my door is almost always open for a short question, comment, or request. An exception is the hour right before class: I need that time to focus on the coming lecture.
If you have major difficulties and need substantial one-on-one help, schedule an appointment.
Efficient discussion requires working out equations, drawing graphs, etc. It cannot be done in an email or on the phone. See me at my office with technical questions. Use the phone or email (preferred) to let me know if you cannot attend a class or to schedule an appointment. You can also email me any comment or concern.
Course Web Site
I will set up a course web site at the address:
It will be used to post assignments, sample solutions, and useful links to material on the web.
Schedule
The planned schedule for the semester is on the next page. In order to keep us moving, I will try to follow it closely, although minor deviations are possible.
The numbers in parenthesis refer to chapter numbers in Kittel. Some subjects will be discussed in more detail. In those cases, additional material will be provided or individual search for more information will be required.
PHYS 403/604 Schedule Fall, 2008
8.29Introduction. Crystal structure (Ch. 1).
9.5Diffraction (Ch 2).
9.8Diffraction (Ch. 2).HW#1 due
9.12Experimental methods of structure determination (Ch. 2).
9.15Cohesion (Ch. 3).HW#2 due
9.19Elasticity (Ch. 3).
9.22Phonons (Ch. 4).HW#3 due
9.26Phonons and specific heat (Ch. 4).
9.29Free electron gas (Ch. 6).HW#4 due
10.3Conduction (Ch. 6).
10.6Nearly free electron model (Ch. 7).HW#5 due
10.10Energy bands (Ch. 8).
10.13First Midterm.
10.17Semiconductors – intrinsic (Ch. 8).
10.20Semiconductors – impure (Ch. 8).HW#6 due
10.24Energy bands in metals (Ch. 9).
10.27Calculation of energy bands (Ch.9).HW#7 due
10.31Dia- and paramagnetism (Ch. 11).
11.3Magnetic order (Ch. 12).HW#8 due
11.7Technical magnetism (Ch. 12).
11.10Surface structure, electronic structure (Ch. 17).HW#9 due
11.14p-n junctions (Ch. 17).
11.17Semiconductor devices (Ch. 17).HW#10 due
11.21Second midterm.
11.24Nanostructures (Ch. 18).
11.28Thanksgiving break
12.1Quantum effects (Ch. 18).HW#11 due
12.5Non-crystalline materials. (Ch. 19).
12.8Metallic glasses (Ch. 19).HW#12 due