Structures and Symmetries

Duration

30h Th, 20h 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

The aim of this course is to describe, determine and understand the various types of order observed in molecules and condensed matter, in relation to their physical properties. Symmetry plays a central role.
Overview of the course:

• Order and disorder in condensed matter

• Symmetry (Group theory)

• Geometric crystallography

• Bonding and main types of crystalline architectures

• Scattering : basics and application to crystals

• Determination of the structure of crystals

• Crystalline defects and crystal growth

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

Main outcomes:

• functional knowledge of symmetries and groups
• knowledge of the nomenclatures of symmetry groups
• usage of symmetry groups to reduce the complexity of a Physical problem
• foundation for solid state course
• foundation for the use of different groups (Lorenz, SU(2), SU(3), etc...) in Master's courses on field theory or relativity

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Basic physics Basic Chemistry - elements, bonds Fourier transform

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Exercices : 20h.

Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning)

Course and problem sets in face-to-face teaching. Course slides are available on MyULg

Recommended or required readings

Lecture notes.
Group Theory: Group Theory: Application to the Physics of Condensed Matter, Mildred S. Dresselhaus, Gene Dresselhaus, Ado Jorio, Springer éd. ISBN-10: 3642069452 Chapters 1-3
Condensed matter, crystal structure, and defects: Solid State Physics, Neil W. Ashcroft, N. David Mermin, Brooks Cole ISBN-10: 0030839939
Introduction to Solid State Physics, Charles Kittel, Wiley ISBN-10: 047141526X chapters 1, 2, 3 (crystals, symmetry), 19, 20 (defects - advanced)

Assessment methods and criteria

Written report on the exercises with the CrystalMaker and CrystalDiffract programs. Contributes to 10% of the final grade.
Oral exam. Three questions are chosen at random on:

• group theory
• crystallography
• defects and applications of crystallography

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

Contacts

Prof. Matthieu Verstraete
Universite de Liège Institut de Physique, Bat. B5a, 3/7 Allée du 6 aout, 19
Phone : +32 4 366 90 17 Fax : +32 4 366 36 29
Mail : matthieu.verstraete@uliege.be
TA: Sébastien Lemal office 3/8 Physics building B5a
Agora neighborhood Mail : slemal@uliege.be

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

Teaching methods implemented : distance-learning

The second half of the course was given via video lectures on Zoom, with recorded podcasts available on my.uliege
 
Problem sets are also carried out online through Zoom with the TA

Assessment subjects

The exam will cover the whole subject matter, except the chapter on DNA diffraction, for lack of time
 
The problem sets are complete
 
One practical session will be held on crystal structure visualization, with VESTA. No project or report will be required

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 slemal@uliege.be
The oral exam (max 1h) will be held on ecampus BBcollaborate by videoconference (video+audio obligatory) with both professor and TA, 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

The exam will cover the whole subject matter, except the chapter on DNA diffraction, for lack of time
 
The problem sets are complete
 
One practical session will be held on crystal structure visualization, with VESTA. No project or report will be required

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) with both professor and TA, 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