Condensed Matter 2

Course manual 2017/2018

Course content

The quantum mechanical understanding of solids forms the basis for the technological explosion that is currently unfolding around us. Apart from this great societal importance, solids also harbor a secret world of physical miracles unrealized anywhere else in nature. From magnetic monopoles to M-theory black holes, it all emerges from the immense complexity of a near infinite number of interacting electrons. The overall aim of this course is to provide you with a solid understanding (pun intended) of basic and more advanced topics in contemporary condensed matter physics.

After a brief recap of some basic concepts from GM-1 we dive into the electronic structure of solids using the so-called tight binding approximation. With this scheme we can understand the basic electronic properties of any solid. We make a detour into the optical properties of solids to see how everyday colors around us come to be and how these can be explained using the electronic structure of solids. We then turn our attention to the complexity of interacting electrons under the influence of quantum mechanics. We will see how different manifestations of the electromagnetic interaction result in ordered electronic states, such as magnets and superconductors. During the course we will also touch upon the role of fundamental symmetries and how these provide a basis for understanding phase transitions between differently ordered states.

Study materials

Syllabus

• Syllabus

Objectives

Basic principles of condensed matter (summary GM-I) This part is a short recap of GM-1.

• After the course the student has a working understanding of the basic principles of the physics of solids.
• The student is able to explain basic band structure concepts (such as reciprocal spaces, density of states and the Fermi surface).
• The student is able to use these concepts to explain the differences between metals, semi-conductors and insulators.
• The student is able to use a ‘central’ equation to derive the electronic structure of simple solids.
   

Optical properties of solids

• The student is able to explain the optical properties of solids using the Drude-Lorentz model.
• The student is able to link the semi-classical Drude-Lorentz model to the electronic structure of solids.
• The student is able to explain the origin of colors of solids.
• The student is able to explain why some materials are transparent and others opaque
   

Magnetism

• The student is able to explain different forms of magnetic order (paramagnetism, ferromagnetism en anti-ferromagnetism).
• The student can name qualitative differences between these orders based on the temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibility.
• The student is able to derive a criterion for the occurrence of spontaneous magnetisation (Stoner’s criterion for ferromagnetism).
• The student is able to calculate the spinwave spectrum of ferro- and anti-ferromagnets.
• The student can explain the low temperature behaviour of the magnetisation using spinwave theory.
   

Superconductivity

• At the end of the course the student is able to provide a qualitative explanation of superconductivity
• At the end of the course the student is able to explain important propertie of superconductors (perfect diamagnetism, zero resistance) in terms of the penetration depth and the superconducting gap.

Teaching methods

• Hoorcollege
• Werkcollege
• Lecture
• Seminar

Hoorcollege en werkcollege.

Learning activities

Attendance

Programme's requirements concerning attendance (OER-B):

• Each student is expected to participate actively in each component of the programme that he/she signed up for. A student that does not attend the first two seminars of a course, will be administratively removed from the seminar group. A request for reregistration for the seminars can be applied to the programme coordinator.
• If a student cannot attend an obligatory component of a programme's component due to circumstances beyond his control, he must report in writing to the teacher in question as soon as possible. The teacher, if necessary after consulting the study adviser, may decide to issue the student a replacing assignment.
• It is not allowed to miss obligatory commponents of the programme if there is no case of circumstances beyond one's control.
• In case of participating qualitatively or quantitatively insufficiently, the examiner can expel a student from further participation in the programme's component or a part of that component.
• In addition to the above mentioned rules, in the first semester of the first year a student should be present in at least 80% of the seminars. Moreover, participation to midterm tests and obligatory homework is required. If the student does not comply with these obligations, the student is expelled from the resit of this course. Students in the double Bachelor's degree programme Mathematics and Physics are exempted from this requirement.

Assessment

Inspection of assessed work

The date, time and location of the inspection moment are in the DataNose timetable.

Fraud and plagiarism

The 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' applies to this course. This will be monitored carefully. Upon suspicion of fraud or plagiarism the Examinations Board of the programme will be informed. For the 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' see: www.uva.nl/plagiarism

Course structure

Timetable

Het rooster van dit vak is in te zien op DataNose.

Additional information

Recommended prior knowledge: Gecondenseerde materie 1, Quantumfysica 1 en 2, Elektriciteit en magnetisme, Thermische fysica. 

Om in de eerste twee weken van het vak te kunnen bijblijven (herhaling van Gecondenseerde materie 1) zullen studenten zonder voorkennis van Gecondenseerde materie 1 extra voorbereiding nodig hebben.

Contact information

Coordinator

• dr. Erik van Heumen