Aims

Introduction to the electrical and thermal conductivity of materials by emphasizing the physical mechanism at the microscopic scale. Illustration of basic notion of Solid State Physics (cfr MAPR 2492)
Introduction to the conception of experimental devices used for the investigation of the properties of materials. Emphasis is put on the choice of the appropriate technique for a given problem.

Content and teaching methods

From the knowledge of the distribution of particles and quasi-particles (electrons, holes, phonons) at the equilibrium, study of the effect of external forces (electric field, thermal gradient, ...) on this distribution : study of the electrical conductivity (including superconductivity) and thermal conductivity, thermoelectric effects. The materials mainly concern inorganic cristalline solids (metals, semiconductors, semimetals, ...) though organic and amorphous materials, synthetic metals, low dimensional systems (intercalation compounds, superlattices, ...), ... are also introduced and discussed.
Experimental approach of the measurement of physical properties : choice of the method and set-up as a function of the materials and sample characteristics. Conception of the experimental set-up.
Discussion of potential applications for the properties investigated.

Other credits in programs