Syllabus

Syllabus

Module 1: (10 hours)
Electrons in a periodic potential and band theory: Bloch’s theorem, Born-von Karman boundary condition, density of levels, van-Hove singularities, Kronig-Penney model. Electrons in a weak periodic potential, energy bands and energy gap. Tight binding method, Wannier functions. Concept of Fermi surface. Effective mass of electrons, concept of holes. Basic concepts of topological insulators.

Module 2: (6 hours)
Semiconductors: General properties of homogeneous semiconductors and it’s band structure. Carrier concentration in thermal equilibrium, intrinsic and extrinsic semiconductors, impurity levels and it’s population in thermal equilibrium. Optical processes in semiconductors, The p–n junction. Brief introductions to light-emitting diodes and solar cells, MOSFETs, heterostructures, quantum point Contact, wire and dot.

Module 3: (10 hours)
Introduction to the phenomenon of superconductivity: vanishing Resistance, persistent current, isotope effect, Meissner–Ochsenfeld effect, Type-I and Type-II superconductors, thermoelectric properties and specific heat. Thermodynamics and electrodynamics of superconductors, London equations and penetration depth, coherence length, flux quantization. Overview of BCS theory and BCS ground state.

Module 4: (5 hours)
Magnetism in solids: Magnetic moment of an atom orbital, spin and total magnetic moment, Hund’s rule. Larmor Diamagnetism, Van-Vleck Paramagnetism, Curie’s law for free ions and solids. Paramagnetism and diamagnetism of metals.

Module 5: (5 hours)
Dielectric properties: macroscopic electrostatic Maxwell equations, theory of local field, Clausius-Mossotti relation, theory of polarizability, application to ionic crystal and it’s optical properties.

To learn the fundamental concepts of the electronic band structure of crystalline systems.

To learn semiconductor physics and its application to practical devices.

To provide an understanding of the phenomenon of superconductivity, including an overview of BCS theory.

To learn the magnetic properties of materials.

5. To learn the basic dielectric properties of materials.

At the end of the course, students will be able to:
CO1: Examine the electronic band structure of solids using the tight-binding method.

CO2: Explain the fundamental principles of semiconductors and semiconductor devices.

CO3: Understand superconducting materials and their properties.

CO4: Classify the magnetic properties of solids.

CO5: Discuss the basic dielectric properties of solids.

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

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

Jeno Sólyom, Fundamentals of the Physics of Solids Vol II, Springer (2009).

J. M. Ziman, Principle of Theory of Solids, Cambridge University Press (2011).