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 band 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.

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