Course content

Crystal symmetries, methods to compute energy bands, second quantization formalism, plasmons, phonons, polarons, polaritons, optical processes and excitations, dielectrics and ferroelectrics, Landau-theory, phase transitions, superconductivity, dia- and paramagnetism, ferro- and antiferromagnetism, magnetic resonance.

Learning outcome

Learning outcome

Knowledge which should be acquired from the course:

• Basic understanding of governing interactions of solids and external fields (electromagnetic, thermal)
• Electrodynamics in conducting materials, including electrostatic screening, metal-insulator transitions, electron-electron and electron-phonon interactions.
• Coupling between electric fields and internal response variables in solids, including phonon-photon coupling and plasma oscillations.
• Knowledge of various experimental methods for studying band structure, phonons and magnons.
• Knowledge of Landau theory and phase transitions
• Knowledge of dielectrics and ferroelectricity, ferroelectric domains and hysteresis
• Basic knowledge of (low temperature) superconductivity in type I and type II superconductors, and basic introduction to theoretical models of superconductivity.
• Understanding of dia- and paramagnetic response in solids.
• Understand magnetic phase transitions and magnetic structures (ferromagnetism, antiferromagnetism) through mean field and spin wave models
• Understand phenomena related to magnetic phase transitions, such as domain formation and hysteresis
• Basic knowledge of magnetic resonance

Skills that should be acquired through the course

• Ability to perform quantitative calculations on electromagnetic and thermodynamic properties of solids.
• Mastering of second quantized tight-binding Hamiltonians and mean field models
• Mastering the use of Fourier transforms and wave-based descriptions of dynamical response in solids.

General competence developed through the course

• Knowledge of established models in condensed matter physics
• Knowledge on some of the most central and active research areas in condensed matter physics

Learning methods and activities

Lectures and written problems. The course will be given in English so that international exchange students can follow the course. Expected work load in the course is 225 hours.

The course has joint lectures with FY8917.

Recommended previous knowledge

It is assumed that the student has previous knowledge corresponding to the course TFY4220 Solid State Physics, as well as basic knowledge of electromagnetism, wave physics, mechanics, quantum mechanics, and thermodynamics.

Course materials

Lecture notes (pdf) by Jacob Linder.

Supporting literature: Charles Kittel, Introduction to Solid State Physics, Wiley 2005.

Credit reductions