Syllabus

(8 hrs) Foundations of Materials Physics: metals, insulators, semiconductors, superconductors, topological materials, Overview of atomic bonding: quantum mechanical origin, Relationship between material properties and quantum states. Crystallography and Quantum Mechanics of Solids: Bravais lattices and reciprocal space, Electron states in periodic potentials (Bloch’s theorem), Nearly free electron model vs. tight-binding model. Electronic Band Structure and Fermi Surfaces: Kronig-Penney model and energy gaps, Effective mass and electron/hole transport, Density of states and Fermi surfaces.

(6 hrs) Lattice Vibrations and thermal properties: phonons and lattice dynamics, quantum description of lattice vibrations, phonon dispersion relations, specific heat of solids: Einstein vs. Debye models. Thermal conductivity and phonon scattering, Wiedemann-Franz law and electronic transport, Electron-phonon interactions.

(8 hrs) Advanced Electronic Materials: semiconductor physics and applications, intrinsic and extrinsic semiconductors, p-n junctions and carrier dynamics, quantum Hall effect and topological states. Magnetism and Magnetic Materials: quantum origins of magnetism, exchange interactions and spin waves, ferromagnets, antiferromagnets, and spintronics. Dielectric and Ferroelectric Materials: polarization mechanisms and electric susceptibility, ferroelectricity and phase transitions.

(8 hrs) Quantum and Correlated Materials: Type I vs. Type II superconductors, High-temperature superconductors, Cooper pairs and BCS theory. Strongly Correlated Electron Systems: Mott insulators and Hubbard models, quantum phase transitions. Topological Materials.

(6 hrs) Materials for Quantum Technologies: 2D materials, graphene and transition metal dichalcogenides, Quantum dots and photonic materials, Materials for superconducting qubits. Experimental Probes of Materials: X-ray diffraction (XRD) and neutron scattering, Scanning probe techniques: AFM and STM, Electron microscopy: TEM and SEM.

To impart knowledge on:
Foundational understanding of the quantum mechanical basis of material properties, including electronic structure, bonding, and lattice dynamics,

Key models of electrons and phonons in solids, emphasizing how microscopic behavior governs macroscopic physical properties like conductivity and magnetism,

Advanced material classes, including semiconductors, magnetic materials, ferroelectrics, superconductors, and topological phases,

Quantum and correlated materials, highlighting emergent phenomena and their theoretical background,

State-of-the-art characterization techniques and materials relevant for quantum technologies.

At the end of course, students will be able to:
CO1:.Understand crystal structures, bonding, and electronic band structure from first principles.

CO2: Analyze electronic band structure and the physics of semiconductors.

CO3: Describe lattice dynamics, phonons, and heat capacity using quantum theory.

CO4: Explore topological materials, superconductivity, and strongly correlated systems.

CO5: Use experimental techniques such as X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy to probe materials.

C. Kittel, Introduction to Solid State Physics, Wiley India Edition (2019).

Ashcroft & Mermin, Solid State Physics, Brooks/Cole; New edition (2021).

S. M. Girvin & K. Yang, Modern Condensed Matter Physics, Cambridge University Press, (2019).

Jeno Sólyom, Fundamentals of the Physics of Solids Vol I, II, III, Springer 2009.

Callister & Rethwisch, Materials Science and Engineering: An Introduction, Wiley; 9th edition (2013).