2005/06 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

PHYS2070 Solid State Physics

10 creditsClass Size: 80

Module manager: Professor B J Hickey
Email: b.j.hickey@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2005/06

Pre-requisites

PHYS1150, PHYS1160, PHYS2160, PHYS2042 (or equivalent), PHYS2190 (or equivalent)

This module is not approved as an Elective

Objectives

By the end of the module students should be able to for example:
- Use the density of states to explain some of the differences between metals, semiconductors and insulators;
- Derive the free-electron density of states;
- Perform straight-forward calculations based on the free-electron theory;
- Explain how a periodic potential modifies the free-electron dispersion relation;
- Solve problems on the transport properties of semiconductors;
- Calculate the magnetic properties (consistent with the syllabus) of paramagnets and ferromagnets.

Skills outcomes
The ability to model a physical problem.
The ability to solve physical problems using mathematics.The ability to model a physical problem.
The ability to solve physical problems using mathematics.

Syllabus

Background reading: Revise chapters 26, 37 and 38 in Physics for Scientists and Engineers, PA Tipler.

Free-Electron Theory: Derivation of the Drude formula, Hall Effect, Thermal Conductivity, Wiedemann-Franz Law, Application of Quantum Mechanics (Sommerfeld model), free-electron density of states, heat capacity, Pauli paramagnetism, temperature dependence of the resistivity, Matthiesen's rule

Beyond Free-Electron Theory: phase and group velocities, effect of a periodic potential on the dispersion relation, origin of energy gaps, Brillouin Zones, effective mass, zone filling:metals semiconductors and insulators and their densities of states.

Semiconductors: Density of states, resistivity, temperature dependence of the number density of carriers, intrinsic and extrinsic behaviour, Bohr model for impurities, Hall effect.

Magnetic Properties: diamagnetism, paramagnetism and ferromagnetism, susceptibility, Magnetic moments: spin, free atoms and condensed phases, Hund's Rules, Curie Law and its derivation: Langevin (classical), Brillouin (quantum mechanical), Quenching of the orbital angular momentum, Magnetic interactions: Band ferromagnetism, Heisenberg exchange model, Curie-Weiss Law.

Teaching methods

Lectures: 22 x 1 hour;

Tutorials: 4 x 1 hour.

Private study

Private Study: 74 hours.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Marked examples (1 per week).

Methods of assessment

1 x 2 hour written examination at the end of the semester: 85%;
Weekly assignment marks: 15%.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 16/03/2007

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