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PHY307Sciences2 Unitsintermediate

Solid State Physics I

This course provides an in-depth exploration of solid-state physics, focusing on the properties and behaviors of solid materials. It covers crystal structures, including geometry, classification, and simple lattices. The course also examines crystal elastic constants, vibrations, and thermal properties. Furthermore, it delves into the free electron Fermi gas model, energy band theory, semiconductors, and superconductors. The course aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental principles governing the solid state.

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150h
Study Time
13
Weeks
12h
Per Week
advanced
Math Level
Course Keywords
Crystal StructureLattice VibrationFree ElectronsSemiconductorsSuperconductors

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Intermediate Level
Builds on foundational knowledge
65%
intermediate
Math Level
Advanced Math
📖
Learning Type
Theoretical Focus

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

Crystal Geometry

2

Crystal Diffraction

3

Elastic Constants

4

Lattice Vibrations

5

Free Electron Theory

6

Energy Band Theory

7

Semiconductors

8

Superconductivity

Total Topics8 topics

Ready to Start

No specific requirements needed

This course is designed to be accessible to all students. You can start immediately without any prior knowledge or specific preparation.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (3 methods)

Assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Tutor-Marked Assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Final Examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Materials Scientist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Solid State Physicist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Electronics Engineer

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Semiconductor Device Engineer

Apply your skills in this growing field

Research Scientist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

Semiconductor ManufacturingElectronics IndustryMaterials Science ResearchRenewable EnergyTelecommunications

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week
1

Module 1: Property Of Crystal

6h

Unit 1: Crystal Geometry

3 study hours
  • Define crystals
  • Explain the crystal structure
  • Understand translational symmetry
  • Describe lattice and unit cells
  • Differentiate primitive and non-primitive cells

Unit 2: Crystal Classification

3 study hours
  • Revise the classification of crystal lattices
  • Understand direction indices
  • Understand Miller indices
  • Determine Miller Indices
Week
2

Module 1: Property Of Crystal

4h

Unit 3: Simple Lattices

4 study hours
  • Understand metallic crystal structure
  • Describe Simple cubic lattice
  • Describe Body centered cubic lattice
  • Describe Face centered cubic lattice
  • Describe Hexagonal Close packed
Week
3

Module 1: Property Of Crystal

4h

Unit 4: Crystal Diffraction (I)

4 study hours
  • Understand Bragg formulation of diffraction by a crystal
  • Understand Von Laue formulation of diffraction by a crystal
  • Describe Diffraction of crystal by electrons
  • Describe Diffraction of crystal by neutrons
Week
4

Module 1: Property Of Crystal

4h

Unit 5: Crystal Diffraction (II)

4 study hours
  • Explain Reciprocal lattice
  • Explain Ewald's construction
  • Explain Brillouin zones
Week
5

Module 1: Property Of Crystal

4h

Unit 6: Experimental Crystal Structure Determination

4 study hours
  • Describe Laue method
  • Describe Rotating crystal technique
  • Describe Powder method
Week
6

Module 2: Crystal Elastic Constants And Vibrations

8h

Unit 1: Elastic Constants of Crystals (I)

4 study hours
  • Explain elastic constant in solids
  • Explain strength of solid materials
  • Understand fully the binding forces in solids

Unit 2: Elastic Constants of Crystals (II)

4 study hours
  • Describe Elastic waves in cubic crystals
  • Describe Elastic isotropy
  • Describe Cauchy relations
  • Describe Lattice theory of elastic coefficients
Week
7

Module 2: Crystal Elastic Constants And Vibrations

4h

Unit 3: Crystals Binding

4 study hours
  • Explain Inter atomic forces
  • Describe Vander Waals bonding
  • Describe Ionic bonding
  • Describe Covalent bonding
  • Describe Metallic bonding
Week
8

Module 2: Crystal Elastic Constants And Vibrations

4h

Unit 4: Lattice Vibration

4 study hours
  • Describe One-dimensional monatomic lattice
  • Describe One-dimensional diatomic lattice
  • Describe Three- dimensional lattice
Week
9

Module 2: Crystal Elastic Constants And Vibrations

4h

Unit 5: Thermal Properties

4 study hours
  • Describe Lattice specific heats
  • Describe Debye model
  • Describe Einstein model
  • Describe Lattice thermal conductivity
Week
10

Module 3: Free Electron Fermi Gas

4h

Unit 1: Free Electron Theory of Metals

4 study hours
  • Revise the free electron gas (FEG) model and assumptions made
  • Understand how this simple model can be used to derive equations heat capacity of the free electron
  • Employ the time-independent Schrodinger equation to derive the electron wave functions and energies
Week
11

Module 3: Free Electron Fermi Gas

4h

Unit 2: Electronic Transfer

4 study hours
  • Explain the Drude model of the thermal conductivity of solid
  • Explain motion in Magnetic field in terms of Cyclotron resonance and Hall Effect
Week
12

Module 3: Free Electron Fermi Gas

4h

Unit 3: Energy Band Theory

4 study hours
  • Explain the general features of band levels
  • Explain the periodic potential of an electron
  • Explain the properties of the Bloch electron
  • Explain the difference between Metals and Insulators
Week
13

Module 3: Free Electron Fermi Gas

8h

Unit 4: Electron Dynamics

4 study hours
  • Understand the concept of Fermi surfaces
  • Revise the concept of electron dynamic
  • Revise the concept of effective mass
  • Revise the concept of hole

Unit 5: Fermi Surfaces

4 study hours
  • Understand Fermi surfaces
  • Explain the Brillouin zone
  • Explain effect of crystal potential

This study schedule is in beta and may not be accurate. Please use it as a guide and consult the course outline for the most accurate information.

Course PDF Material

Read the complete course material as provided by NOUN.

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Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Review all Tutor-Marked Assignments (TMAs) and their solutions to identify areas of weakness.

2

Create concept maps linking crystal structure (Module 1) to diffraction techniques (Units 4-5).

3

Practice Miller indices calculations from Unit 2 extensively.

4

Focus on understanding the assumptions and limitations of the Drude model (Module 3, Unit 1).

5

Derive key equations like the Bragg condition and London equations from first principles.

6

Solve numerical problems related to Fermi energy and carrier concentrations in semiconductors.

7

Understand the differences between Type I and Type II superconductors and their applications.

8

Create a table summarizing the key properties of different crystal structures (SC, BCC, FCC, HCP).

9

Review past examination papers to familiarize yourself with the question format and difficulty level.

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