Learning objectives
<br />
The milestone is the ontroductiopn of the basic concepts of the sdolid state physics required tfor the the understaanding of the main physical properties of the crystalline structgures.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Prerequisites
Fundamental quantum mechanics conceppts with a fairly good expertise in managing the Schrodinger's equation.
Course unit content
<p>0.INTRODUCTION. Classification of solids(1L)* <br />
<br />
1. CRYSTAL LATTICES. Properties of a periodic lattice: Bravais lattices and primitive cells, crystal structure and lattice with bases. Examples of cubic strauctures (BCC, FCC). Direct and reciprocal lattice. The properties of the reciprocal lattice: Wigner-Seitz and Brillouin zone. (4 L)</p>
<p><br />
2. ANALYSIS OF PERIODIC STRUCTURES. Waves and particles: X-photons, electrons and neutron diffraction. X-rays: discovery and physics. Von Laue and Bragg experiments.. Elastic scattering of X rays frpm a crystal structure. Geometry of X-diffraction (Bragg's law and Ewald's sphere). Geometrcal structure and atomic form factor. Intensity of the diffracted beam and determination of the lattice bases: examples (6 L)*</p>
<p> 3.LATTICE VIBRATIONS. Elastic waves in solids. Harmonic crystal: normal modes in a of a monoatomic and diatomic linear chain, extension to a 3D lattice. Introduction to the quantum harmonic crystal: normal modes and phonons. Determination of the dispersion law: anelastic scattering of light, neutrons and X rays. Specific heat. (5 L) * <br />
<br />
4. ELECTRONIC LEVELS. The single electron approximation in a periodic potential. Bloch's waves. Band structure and dispersion law. Born-Von Karman boundary conditions. Density of states and occupation function. The free electron limit, effects of the periodic poptential. Band structure of some important solids (8 L)* <br />
<br />
<br />
5. ELECTRON AND HOLE DYNAMICS: Semiclassical mechanics: dynamic resposnse to an external force, group velocity, time dependence of the crystal momentum. Effective mass. The Bloch's oscillator and the collision effects. Elements of trhe general properties of a charge carrier gas: electrical conductivity, mobility, Hall effect.(8 L)* <br />
<br />
(*) 4 CFU = 32 Lectures i <br />
</p>
Full programme
- - -
Bibliography
Lecture notes supplid by the lecturer.<br />
<br />
<u>Suggested textbook</u><br />
<br />
C.Kittel "Introduzione alla Fisica dello stato solido" Ed.Ambrosiana, Milano 2008
Teaching methods
<br />
The course is based on oral presentation (front lectures) and seminar on soecific topics( example: X-ray diffracion principles and applications). <br />
The course is concluded by an oral interview ( final examination), <br />
<br />
<br />
Assessment methods and criteria
- - -
Other information
- - -
