Materials Physics on an Atomistic Scale 2

This module is concerned with the arrangement and movement of atoms in solids. As these aspects determine to a large part the macroscopic properties of matter, their microscopical understanding is fundamental to, e.g., the tuning of materials for technological applications. 

Going beyond the coverage of an introductory Solid State Physics course and continuing the course PH2218: Materials Physics on an Atomistic Scale 1, the following topics will be treated in detail:

• oscillations of atoms about their equilibrium positions -- phonons
• atoms exchanging places -- diffusive dynamics, jump mechanisms in elemental systems and ordered compounds, mass flux
• break-down of long-range order -- glasses, melts, and their dynamics
• transitions between different states of order -- dynamics and kinetics of phase transitions

For all the above points it is intended to give both a description of the physically observed phenomena and their motivation by microscopic models. Also, the relevant experimental techniques will be indicated and explained in principle, and, where applicable, simple computer models of the effects will be presented and provided to the students for tinkering with. 

Upon successful completion of the module, students are able to

• understand the concept of phonons, their branches and symmetries over reciprocal space, densities of states and anharmonic effects
• describe the atomic-scale mechanisms of diffusion processes in elemental systems and ordered compounds
• understand the principles of quasi-elastic scattering methods
• use the concepts describing the non-crystalline state, such as pair distribution functions, and understand atomic dynamics specific to non-crystalline systems
• understand the types of phase transitions and order-order transitions
• predict the path through configuration space a given system takes under a change of external parameters in a qualitative way
• propose and justify experimental and/or theoretical methods to elucidate simple problems of atomic-scale materials science

No preconditions exceeding the admission requirements for the master degree program. Having participated in the course PH2218: Materials Physics on an Atomistic Scale 1 is beneficial, but no hard requirement.

Blackboard writing and verbal lecturing with active contributions from students (comprehension questions), occasional use of projector for diagrams, demonstrations of simple computer models (to be provided to the students for hands-on computer experimentation)

small program scripts to demonstrate simple models

Fundaments of solid-state physics:

• Neil W. Ashcroft, N. David Mermin: Solid State Physics
• H. Ibach, H. Lüth: Festkörperphysik
• Ch. Kittel: Introduction to Solid State Physics
• R. Gross, A. Marx: Festkörperphysik

Statistical physics:

• F. Schwabl: Statistische Mechanik

Materials physics:

• G. Gottstein: Physikalische Grundlagen der Metallkunde
• P. Haasen: Physikalische Metallkunde
• D. A. Porter, K. E. Easterling: Transformations in Metals and Alloys

In an oral exam the learning outcome is tested using comprehension questions and sample problems.