Condensed Matter A (CMA | SPA5228)

Year: 2 | Semester: B | Level: 5 | Credits: 15

Course organiser: Dr Anthony Phillips | Course deputy: Dr Andrei Sapelkin

Synopsis:

This module provides an introduction to the fundamental concepts in modern condensed matter physics. The atomic structures of crystalline substances will be discussed. We will see how these structures can arise from surprisingly simple potential models, and how in turn they influence the interesting and useful properties of materials.

Aims:

This module aims both to prepare students for studying advanced topics in condensed matter physics, and to provide a brief overview of elementary condensed matter physics for students who do not go on to specialise in this field. This module will enable students to use simple models of the atomic structure of materials to explain their properties, and to understand the experimental and mathematical techniques used to construct these models.

Outcomes:

Students who successfully complete this course should be able to answer qualitative and quantitative questions on the topics identified in the Synopsis, displaying clarity in both mathematical and verbal exposition. In particular, they should be able to: define and recognise lattices; draw the face-centred, body-centred, and simple cubic, NaCl, CsCl, and perovskite structures; perform calculations relating these crystal structures to the ionic radius of the component ions and other physical quantities such as the density and packing fraction; sketch the planes corresponding to a given Miller index and calculate the spacing between them; predict and index cubic powder diffraction patterns; describe the qualitative differences between ionic, van der Waals, covalent, metallic, and hydrogen bonding; describe dielectric and ferroelectric behaviour and the applications of materials with these properties; describe qualitatively the behaviour of metals, insulators, and semiconductors, and of dia-, para-, and ferromagnets; and calculate the binding energies of simple lattice structures using appropriate potential models.

Recommended books:

Richard Turton, Physics of solids, the (OUP)
Michael de Podesta, Understanding the properties of matter (Taylor and Francis)
Martin Dove, Structure and dynamics (CUP)