Study Programmes 2015-2016
PHYS0055-1  
Introduction to Condensed Matter Physics
Duration :
30h Th, 30h Pr
Number of credits :
Bachelor in engineering5
Bachelor in engineering5
Lecturer :
Matthieu Verstraete
Language(s) of instruction :
French language
Organisation and examination :
Teaching in the second semester
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite :
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Course contents :
Introduction to Materials Science with application to insulators, semiconductors, and metals. It aims at understanding the behavior and physical properties of condensed matter, from the microscopic level to the macroscopic level.

Table of contents
0. Order and disorder in condensed matter. 1. Introduction to condensed matter composed of electrons and atoms 2. Lattice vibrations 3. Thermal properties. 4. Electronic structure of condensed matter. 5. Semiconductors 6. Phase transitions
Learning outcomes of the course :
The students will learn to use calculations from classical and quantum mechanics in the framework of condensed matter physics.
* Global then deductive reasoning * Simple modelling of complex and collective phenomena * Progressive addition of complexity in models to capture specific aspects of the Physics of the problem * Applications to concrete problems of the quantum mechanics and mathematics learned over the past 2.5 years of Baccalaureate * Reciprocal links between phenomenology and microscopic explanations for the behaviors of materials * Understanding of the workings of common experimental techniques
Prerequisite knowledge and skills :
Mathematical analysis. Fourier transforms.
Basic physics.
Basic chemistry.
Quantum physics.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods :
Ex-cathedra classes and interactive problem sets and exercises
Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :
Second term.
Recommended or required readings :
Lecture notes. Syllabus shared with the Phyisicists for course PHYS0936
Textbooks:
  • N. ASHCROFT, N.D. MERMIN, Solid State Physics, Saunders College (1976)
  • Ch KITTEL Introduction to Solid State Physics, Wiley (8th ed 2004)
  • R. J. ELLIOTT, Physics and Chemistry of Solids, Wiley (1998)
Assessment methods and criteria :
Written and oral exam in May-June and in August-September. The oral exam contains 3 sub questions: 1) on chapter 0 (symmetry) 2) on phonons and thermal properties, chapters 2+3 3) on electrons, semiconductors or phase transitions, chapters 4+5+6
Each question is prepared at the blackboard for 10-15 minutes then discussed by the candidate.
Work placement(s) :
Organizational remarks :
No comments
Contacts :
Prof. Matthieu Verstraete bureau 3/7 Physique B5a tél. : 04/366.9017 e-mail : matthieu.verstraete@ulg.ac.be
TA: Sébastien Lemal office 3/8 Physics building B5a email : slemal@student.ulg.ac.be
Items online :
PHYS0055 syllabus for the Physics of Materials course
Pdf version of the course notes for Physics of Materials
PHYS0055 slides for all chapters
slides for all chapters of the course on the Physics of materials