PHYS4111 Condensed Matter Physics 4 (2011/12)
Content
Semiconductors
12 lectures + 3 examples classes in Michaelmas Term
Syllabus: sp3 bonding model. Physical properties which characterise semiconductor lattices, the reciprocal lattice, Brillouin zones. Bloch's theorem, Bloch electrons. Periodic potential, nearly free electrons, band gaps, energy bands and reduced zone schemes, effective masses. Intrinsic semiconductors, distribution of electrons and holes, Fermi function, effective density of states. Extrinsic semiconductors, doping, p- and n-type impurities, Fermi levels, carrier concentration in doped semiconductors, hydrogenic theory of shallow impurities. Electrical transport, carrier dynamics, electron and hole motion under electric fields, scattering mechanisms. Optical properties, interaction with photons, absorption, excitons. p-n junctions, depletion layers, electric fields, diffusion and drift, IV curves.
Textbooks:
One of the recommended texts for the Level 2 module Thermal and Condensed Matter Physics
Additional: Introduction to Solid State Physics, C. Kittel (Wiley)
Additional: Semiconductor Physics and Devices, D. A. Neaman (McGraw-Hill)
Additional: Semiconductor Physics: An Introduction, K. Seeger (Springer)
Additional: Physical Properties of Semiconductors, C.M. Wolfe, N. Holonyak and G.E. Stillman (Prentice Hall)
Additional: Physics of Semiconductor Devices, S.M. Sze (Wiley)
Additional: Essentials of Semiconductor Physics, W.T. Wenckebach (Wiley)
Dielectrics
6 lectures + 1 examples class in Michaelmas Term
Syllabus: Frequency dependent dielectric properties of insulating materials: electronic, ionic and dipolar contribut-ions. The Debye equations, local field effects. Piezoelectric, ferroelectric and pyroelectric materials and applications.
Textbooks:
Additional: Introduction to Solid State Physics, C. Kittel (Wiley)
Additional: Solid State Physics, J.S. Blakemore (CUP)
Magnetic Properties
12 lectures + 3 examples classes in Epiphany Term
Syllabus: Diagmagnetism, Paramagnetism: Curie's Law, Brillouin function. Mean field theory: ferromagnetism and antiferromagnetism. Curie-Weiss Law, Néel temperature. Magnetic excitations: ferromagnetic magnons. Block T3/2 law. Bulk magnetic properties; hysteretic magnetisation curves, domain walls, magnetic anisotropy, demagnetisation energy, magnetostriction. Magnetic order and exchange interaction: Heisenberg Hamiltonian and direct exchange, superexchange, indirect exchange, RKKY interaction. Superconducting critical temperature and field, Type I/Type II superconductors, the intermediate and vortex states.
Textbooks:
Additional: Introduction to Solid State Physics, C. Kittel (Wiley)
Additional: Introduction to Magnetism and Magnetic Materials, D. Jiles (Chapman & Hall)
Additional: Solid State Magnetism, J. Crangle (E. Arnold)
Additional: Superconductivity, W. Buckel (CUP)
Additional: Magnetism and Magnetic Materials, J. Jakubovics (Institute of Metals)
Additional: Modern Magnetic Materials, R.C. O'Handley (Wiley)
Organic Electronics
Dr F.M.B. Dias
Syllubus: Physical properties of organic semiconductive materials. Thin film deposition techniques for organics. PLED and OLED displays. Active matrix AMOLED displays. Phosphorescent OLEDS. Organic photovoltaic materials and devices. Organic transistors. Ink jet printing of circuits. Processing to obtain high mobility. E-paper. Flexible displays and future technology.
Textbooks:
Additional: Introduction to Molecular Electronics, M.C. Petty, M.R. Bryce and D. Bloor (Arnold)
Additional: Electrical Properties of Polymers, A. Bluthe and D. Bloor (Cambridge)
Revision
4 lectures in Easter Term, one by each lecturer
Teaching methods
Lectures: 2 one-hour lectures per week
Examples classes: These provide an opportunity to work through and digest the course material by attempting exercises and assignments assisted by direct interaction with the lecturers and demonstrators. Students will be divided into groups, each of which will attend one one-hour class every two weeks.
Extended essay: Students undertake a Special Essay Project in Physics with a submission deadline in the fourth week of the Epiphany Term. The essays should be approximately 3000 words in length, and it is strongly recommended that they should be word-processed and printed single-sided on A4 paper.
The subject matter is to be chosen with the advice of the course lecturers who will provide a list of suitable topics. The aim should be to pick a topic which has a high physics content appropriate for Level 4, which is accessible to the student and can be readily researched, and which can be discussed satisfactorily within the word count limit. The technical level should be advanced, rather than introductory.
Students should discuss with the lecturer the qualities expected in the essay, but an indication of these is given in the mark proforma used for assessment. The proforma will be made available to students for their information at the beginning of the Michaelmas Term. The written essay is summatively assessed.
The marked essays along with the completed proformas (giving the marks awarded for the essay) will be returned to students before the end of the Epiphany Term.
Problem exercises: See http://www.dur.ac.uk/physics/students/problems/