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, hybrid learning)

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

Organisational adjustments related to the current health context

If the session is remote, the exam will remain individual and oral, but online via Blackboard Collaborate / Teams / Zoom, and last approximately 45 minutes in all.
A written question will be sent to the students 24 hours before the exam, to be solved and sent back by email, and will serve as a basis for discussion during the exam

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

Below you will find information on the evaluation methods planned for in-person and remote exams as well as those planned for hybrid sessions. Depending on how the health crisis evolves, the chosen method will be communicated to you no later than one month before the start of the exam session.

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

Items online