Syllabus

Module: 1 (6 hours)
Structure of Condensed Matter and Bonding in solids: short and long-Range order, crystalline and non-crystalline phases, liquid phase. Cohesive energy of molecular crystal. van der Waals bonding, ionic bonding, Madelung energy, Madelung constant of NaCl. Covalent bonding, Heitler-London approximation. Brief discussion on polar covalent bond, metallic bond, Hydrogen bond.

Module 2: (6 hours)
Two Dimensional (2D) and Three Dimensional (3D) Lattices : Lattice, Basis, Lattice translation vector, unit cell, Crystal structure, Wigner-Seitz cell. Two and three dimensional lattice types, Symmetries in crystal, Bravais lattices and crystal Systems. Point groups and Space groups. Simple cubic, face-centered cubic, body-centered cubic, hexagonal close-packed, diamond structure.

Module 3 (6 hours)
Reciprocal lattice & structure determination: X-ray diffraction, Braggs law, Scattered wave amplitude Fourier analysis Reciprocal lattice vectors, Diffraction conditions, Laues Equation, Ewald construction, Miller indices. Brillouin zones (BZ), reduced and extended zone scheme, Structure and form factor. Neutron and electron diffraction (brief discussion).

Module 4: (10 hours)
Elastic and thermal properties of solids: Elastic strains and stress components, stiffness constants, bulk modulus, compressibility and elastic waves in cubic crystal. Harmonic and adiabatic approximation. Vibrations of a monoatomic and di-atomic linear chain. Concept of Phonons, Classical theory of specific heat, failure of classical theory. Einstein model, Debye model and Debye T3 law.

Module 5: (8 hours)
Electronic properties of Metals: Free electron theory: Drude model, Theory of free electron gas, ground-state energy, Fermi Dirac distribution function, Density of states, Conduction electrons, Heat Capacity of conduction electrons, DC electrical conductivity, Matthiessen’s rule, The Fermi Surface, Thermal conductivity, Wiedemann–Franz Law, Hall effect and magnetoresistance, AC conductivity and electrical properties, Thermoionc emission, Failures of the free electron model.

To introduce the concept of the classification of states of matter upon its degree of order and the different crystal structures along with the symmetry of the crystalline solids.

To develop the understanding of the necessity of reciprocal space and the description of diffraction conditions using the reciprocal lattice.

To provide the understanding of the mechanism of electrical and thermal properties of different materials at different conditions.

To provide the basic concept of lattice dynamics and to calculate dispersion relations for acoustical and optical phonons.

5. Understand the free electron theory, explore electrical and thermal transport properties, and identify the limitations of the free electron model in the case of metals.

At the end of the course, students will be able to:
CO1: Classify materials based on structural order and analyze the crystal structures and symmetry of crystalline solids.

CO2: Apply reciprocal space concepts to describe diffraction conditions and analyze crystal structures using the reciprocal lattice.

CO3: Evaluate the electrical and thermal behavior of different materials.

CO4: Understand lattice dynamics and phonons in crystalline solids.

CO5: Assess the free electron model and its limitations.

C. Kittel, Introduction to Solid State Physics, John Wiley & Sons (2004).

M. A. Omar, Elementary Solid State Physics, Pearson Education, Inc. (2006).

A. J. Dekker, Solid State Physics, Macmillan India (1981).

N. W. Ashcroft and N. D. Mermin, Solid State Physics, Harcourt Asia PTE Ltd. (2001).