Introduction to Condensed Matter Physics

Bonding types and forces

• periodic table
• covalent and metallic bonding
• ionic and van der Waals bonding
• hydrogen and other supramolecular bonding types

Structures and determination methods

• amorphous and crystalline structures - fundamental terms and definitions
• examples for crystal structures in real space
• reciprocal lattice and diffraction
• defects

Lattice dynamics

• classical theory of lattice dynamics
• quantisation of lattice vibrations
• density of states in phonon spectra

• theory of elasticity in the continuum

Thermal properties

• specific heat
• anharmonic effects: thermal expansion
• heat conductivity
• thermoelectric effects

Electrons in solids

• model of free electron gas
• Bloch electrons and energy bands
• density of states in metals and isolaters
• brillouin zones and fermi surfaces

Transport of charge carriers

• semiclassical model of dynamics of electrons
• motion of electron in periodic lattice
• boltzmann transport equation

Semiconductors

• intrinsic and doped semiconductors
• inhomogeneous semiconductors
• important semiconductor devices

Superconductivity

• basic phenomena
• microscopic description
• unconventional superconductors

Magnetism

• dia- and paramagnetism
• ferromagnetic materials
• ferro- and antiferromagnetism

Dielectric properties

• macroscopic and microscopic description
• types of polarization
• dielectric properties of metals and semiconductors

Outlook

• interfaces, nanostructures and low dimensional systems
• organic materials, metal-organic lattices and soft-matter

After the successful participation at the module the student is able to:

1. know the different bonding types in condensed matter physics and allocate them to given condensed matter
2. reproduce the physics fundamentals of structure analysis and the corresponding experiments
3. comprehend the fundamentals of lattice dynamics and their importance for solid matter properties (especially thermal properties)
4. understand the behaviour of electrons in crystalline structures and apply this knowledge to the transport of charge carriers
5. know and explain fundamental properties of semiconductors, superconductors and magnetic material
6. reproduce the most important dielectric properties of solids

PH0001, PH0002, PH0003, PH0004, PH0005, PH0006, PH0007

lecture: teacher centered learning

tutorial: discussion and solution of exercise problems, discussions and supplementary explanations to the subject matter of the lecture.

blackboard and powerpoint presentation

accompanying information online

• Siegfried Hunklinger: Festkörperphysik, Oldenbourg Verlag München
• Kittel: Einführung in die Festkörperphysik, Oldenbourg Verlag
• Ashcroft, Mermin: Festkörperphysik, Oldenbourg
• Kopitzki, Herzog: Einführung in die Festkörperphysik, Vieweg+Teubner
• Ibach, Lüth: Festkörperphysik. Einführung in die Grundlagen, Springer-Verlag

There will be a written exam of 90 minutes duration. Therein the achievement of the competencies given in section learning outcome is tested exemplarily at least to the given cognition level using calculation problems and comprehension questions.

For example an assignment in the exam might be:

• Calculation and discussion of the binding energy of a simple crystal
• Calculation and discussion of the reciprocal lattice and the structure factor of a simple crystal
• Calculation and discussion of the phononic heat capacity of a simple crystal
• Calculation and discussion of the electronic states in a simple crystal
• Calculation and discussion of the charge carrier density and Fermi energy in a simple semiconductor

Participation in the exercise classes is strongly recommended since the exercises prepare for the problems of the exam and rehearse the specific competencies.

There will be a bonus (one intermediate stepping of "0,3" to the better grade) on passed module exams (4,3 is not upgraded to 4,0). The bonus is applicable to the exam period directly following the lecture period (not to the exam repetition) and subject to the condition that the student passes the mid-term of

• passing the voluntary test exam during the semester
• presenting a solution in the exercise groups at least once