Introduction to condensed matter physics

Duration

26h Th, 26h Pr

Number of credits

Lecturer

Matthieu Verstraete

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the second semester

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit 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. Electron transport and / or phase transitions

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

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 of the electromagnetism, quantum mechanics, and mathematics learned over the past 2.5 years of Baccalaureate, to concrete problems * 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.
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 office 3/7 Physique B5a tel. : +32 (0)4 366 90 17 e-mail : matthieu.verstraete@uliege.be
Teaching Assistant:
Fabio Ricci
bureau 3-5 3ème étage du B5a Physique
quartier agora
Tel: 04 366 3636
Email fabio.ricci@uliege.be

Adaptation of teaching commitments following the COVID-19 pandemic for the May-June 2020 session

Teaching methods implemented : distance-learning

All theory lectures were given before the COVID lockdown.
The last problem sets are distributed as usual and held online with the TA on zoom.

Assessment subjects

All of the subject matter is contained in the exam: introduction, symmetries, vibrations and thermodynamics, electrons, and Landau phase transitions
Upon request of the FSA, the chapter on semiconductors is no longer part of the BAC3 course, was not given this year, and will not be covered in the exam

Assessment methods

The exam will be composed of written questions sent 24h before each exam date, plus a personal oral exam.
The questions will be the same for all of the people examined on a given date. You may communicate and work together. Your personal answers should be sent in pdf format before the beginning of the exam, by email to matthieu.verstraete@uliege.be and fabio.ricci@uliege.be
The oral exam (max 1h) will be held on ecampus BBcollaborate by videoconference (video+audio obligatory), and will cover the resolution of the written problems as well as the whole of the theory seen in class. You must be alone, external communication is not allowed, and we expect each student to scrupulously follow the ULiège charter signed before the exam session.

Contacts

Adaptation of teaching commitments following the COVID-19 pandemic for the Aug-Sept 2020 session

Assessment subjects

All of the subject matter is contained in the exam: introduction, symmetries, vibrations and thermodynamics, electrons, and Landau phase transitions
Upon request of the FSA, the chapter on semiconductors is no longer part of the BAC3 course, was not given this year, and will not be covered in the exam

Assessment methods

The exam will be composed of written questions sent 24h before each exam date, plus a personal oral exam.
The questions will be the same for all of the people examined on a given date. You may communicate and work together. Your personal answers should be sent in pdf format before the beginning of the exam, by email to matthieu.verstraete@uliege.be and fabio.ricci@uliege.be
The oral exam (max 1h) will be held on ecampus BBcollaborate by videoconference (video+audio obligatory), and will cover the resolution of the written problems as well as the whole of the theory seen in class. You must be alone, external communication is not allowed, and we expect each student to scrupulously follow the ULiège charter signed before the exam session.

Contacts

Items online