Course content

Functional materials are materials that have one or more properties that can be significantly changed in a controlled fashion by external stimuli (temperature, electric/magnetic field, etc.) and are therefore applied in a broad range of technological devices as for example in memories, displays and telecommunication.

Subjects:

• Relation between properties, structure and crystal symmetry
• Size and interface effects on properties
• Electronic bands structures
• Charge transport
• Semiconductor devices
• Optical active materials: theory, examples of materials and applications
• Dielectrics, piezo- and ferroelectrics: theory, examples of materials and applications
• Magnetism: theory, examples of materials and applications.

Learning outcome

Knowledge.

The candidate should have knowledge of:

• A wide range of today's and future important functional materials.
• Anisotropic material properties and relation to crystal symmetry.
• Band structure of materials and electronic properties.

Skills.

The candidate should be able to:

• Relate properties of functional materials to crystal structure.
• Apply symmetry to explain, classify, and together with tensor description calculate directional properties of materials.
• Explain electronic properties of materials by using band structure analysis.

General knowledge.

The candidate should:

• Possess general understanding of anisotropic, electronic and magnetic functional materials.
• Be able to acquire knowledge on the function of new functional materials.
• Be able to contribute to new applications of functional materials.

Learning methods and activities

Lectures and student reports, project work, presentations. Expected work load in the course is 225 hours.

Compulsory assignments

• Project

Recommended previous knowledge

TFY4220 Solid State Physics. The principles introduced in a basic course in solid state physics are extended and applied.

Course materials

To be announced at the beginning of the course

Credit reductions