Aims

This module gives an account of the essential elements of solid state physics

Main themes

Short overview of chemical bonding in solids, periodic crystal structures, reciprocal lattice
Thermal properties : lattice dynamics, specific heat capacity, Debye model, phonons, effects due to anharmonicity
Quantum states of electrons in solids : Bloch theorem, electronic band structure (the nearly free electron approximation, the tight binding approximation), Brillouin zone, Fermi surface, motion of electrons, effective mass
The free electron gas :occupation of states, electronic specific heat, thermodynamical functions,)
Semiconductors : carrier charge density, impurity levels, the p-n junction, transistor
Transport phenomena : Boltzmann equation, electrical and thermal conductivities, electron-phonon collisions, Hall effect.
Superconductivity : fundamental phenomena, London equations


Methods :
Ex-cathedra courses, exercises.

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