PHYS 446 – Solid State Physics / Optical Properties

Objective:             This course integrates theory of Solid State Physics with experimental demonstrations in the Research Physics Lab.  The course will provide a valuable theoretical introduction and an overview of the fundamental applications of the physics of solids. This course includes theoretical description of crystal and electronic structure, lattice dynamics, and optical properties of different materials (metals, semiconductors, dielectrics, magnetic materials and superconductors), based on the classical and quantum physics principles. Several advanced experiments of X-ray diffraction, Raman Scattering, Photoluminescence, etc., will be carrier out in the Research Physics Lab followed by their theoretical discussion. 

Instructor:                       

Andrei Sirenko

476 Tiernan        

sirenko@njit.edu, 

tel: (973) 596-5342

Office hours:       Tuesday:                2:30 pm – 6:00 pm and Thursday by appointment

Class Schedule:

Monday, 1  pm | FMH407

Webpage: http://web.njit.edu/~sirenko/

Syllabus, lecture notes, and homework assignments will be posted on the Website.

Text:     M. A. Omar, “Elementary Solid State Physics”, Addison-Wesley, 1993.

Charles Kittel, Introduction to Solid State Physics, 8th Edition, Wiley, 2004.

Supplemental texts:

·        H. Ibach, H. Lüth, “Solid-State Physics. An Introduction to Principles of Materials Science”, Springer, 2003.

·        J. S. Blakemore, "Solid State Physics”, Third Edition, Cambridge University Press, 1985

·        P. Yu and M. Cardona, “Fundamentals of semiconductors”

·        N. W. Ashcroft and N. D. Mermin, “Solid State Physics”

Homeworks: 10 %

Research project / Presentation: 10 %

Two in-class exams: 15% each;

               Final exam: 50%                      

Lecture Slides    and        HOMEWORK

Lecture1             “Crystal structure …”                  HW1 (due Sept 23)

Lecture2             “X-ray diffraction …”                  HW2 (due Sept 30)

Lecture3             “X-ray diffraction and structure factors"

Lecture4             “Phonons …”                                   HW3 (due Oct 10th)

Lecture5             “More phonons …”                       

Lecture6             “Optical properties of solids …”               HW4 (due Nov 3)

Lecture7             “Free electrons …”                        HW5 (due Nov 10th)

Lecture8             “Bonding, Bands, and Electrons in Solids …”                      

Lecture9             “Semiconductors-I …”

Lecture10           “Semiconductors-II …”

Lecture11           “Supercond …”

Lecture12           “Magnets …”

Reference: https://web.njit.edu/~sirenko/Phys-446/PHYS446SSP.htm