Syllabus

Module 1: (7 hours)
Importance of low-temperature physics: Importance and applications, Gases & liquids: Kinetic theory of gases, Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution, mean free path, equipartition of energy, Thermodynamic properties: Equations of state, real gas behavior, Equations of state, Viscosity, Thermal conductivity, Diffusion in gases, Surface tension in liquids

Module 2: (7 hours)
Solids at low temperatures: Free electron model, Drude and Sommerfeld models, Band theory of solids, Fermi energy and low temperature electronic behavior, Defects in solids: Point defects, dislocations, vacancies, Electrical conductivity, Thermal conductivity, Heat capacity of Solids: Phonon, Einstein and Debye models

Module 3: (8 hours)
Magnetism: Paramagnetism, Ferromagnetism, Diamagnetism and their temperature dependence, Magnetic susceptibility and temperature dependence, Magnetic domains and Bloch wall: Domain structures in ferromagnets and their behavior at low temperature, Magnetoresistance, Giant Magnetoresistance, Applications of magnetic materials

Module 4: (8 hours)
Superconductivity: discovery and review type I & II superconductors, Meissner effect, Electrical, Thermal & Magnetic properties, Critical current density and critical magnetic field, BCS theory, Isotope effect, Microwave absorption, Josephson junction, Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices (SQUIDs), Superconducting Magnets: Material, Magnet construction, Stability technique

Module 5: (6 hours)
Low temperature thermometry: Thermocouples, Resistance thermometer, Magnetic thermometer, Noise thermometer, Advanced experimental techniques: STM at low temperatures, Closed Cycle Refrigerator, Dilution Refrigerator

To learn the behaviour of matter at low temperature.

To learn about electrical, magnetic, thermal and mechanical properties of solids at low temperature.

To learn the fundamentals of superconductivity.

To learn various ways of quantification of low-temperature.

At the end of the course, students will be able to:
CO1: Learn about the physical properties of gases and liquid and their temperature dependence.
CO2: Understand the microscopic mechanisms/models for the electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties of solids.
CO3: Learn about the magnetic properties of solids.
CO4: Understand the superconducting phenomenon and its applications.
CO5: Learn the temperature measurement techniques at low temperatures.

C. Kittel, Introduction to Solid State Physics, John Wiley & Sons , 2012

D. Tabor, Gases, Liquids and solids, Cambridge University Press , 1991

F. Pobel, Matter and Methods at Low Temperatures, Springer , 2007

G. K. White and P. J. Meeson, Experimental Techniques in Low Temperature Physics, Oxford University Press , 2002