Condensed matter

Mechanical, thermal, electronic, optical and magnetic properties of materials are determined by their underlying structure. This knowledge is essential for understanding the world around us and present developments in materials science and nano-technology, such as new nano-electronics, photonic structures, plastic solar cells or superconducting materials. A thorough understanding of materials properties requires special approaches to deal with systems consisting of many interacting particles. Use of periodicity and symmetry of crystal lattices, concepts like ‘reciprocal space’ and quantum mechanical quasi particles play an important role. In this course you will learn how to apply simple models to describe such complex materials in an elegant way. It will be introduced how lattice vibrations can be described quantum mechanically as quasi-particles called phonons, and how these relate to thermal properties. Moreover, it will be explained how the behaviour of electrons within solids is largely determined by the periodic atomic potential, and how this notion leads to understanding of, e.g., electrical conduction and heat transport. In the second part of this course, the acquired knowledge will be extended to applications in semiconductors, dielectrics, magnetic materials and non-crystalline (amorphous or plastic) materials, as well as devices based on these materials.
Topics:

• Structure of solids
• Description in reciprocal space
• Lattice vibrations (phonons)
• Electronic structure of materials
• Electrical transport and thermal properties
• Introduction semiconductors
• Introduction dielectrics
• Introduction magnetic materials
• Introduction non-crystalline materials and polymers

Applications to modern technology

• Understanding the relation between the structure of matter and its electronic, mechanical, thermal, vibrational, optical and magnetic properties.
• Mastering key techniques to to describe condensed matter and applying those to a variety of materials and devices.
• Recognizing the the role of materials research in contemporary technology.