Why and how lattice vibrations (phonons) and electrons contribute to the heat capacity of materials Why and how a classical description of atoms and electrons (Boltzmann, Drude theory) needs to be replaced by a quantummechanical description (Einstein/Debye, Sommerfeld theory) In particular, you will be able to apply these skills to the following topics: You will be able to answer questions regarding these topics in your own words. On completing this course you will be able to perform calculations and derivations within a big variety of topics concerning the structure and properties of solids. Quantum Hall effects, topological matter.

That are often only partially understood: (high-temperature) superconductivity, metal-insulator transitions, Waves in crystals (the reciprocal lattice)įinally, the course will connect in a qualitative way to modern topics of research in Solid State Physics, Quantum mechanics and statistical physics come together in this field.

This subfield of condensed matter physics is both applied (e.g., in electronics) and fundamental. First steps are taken towards the insight that you can find the universe in a grain of rust! Therefore, the course is (at this stage of the physics bachelor program) the most relevant physics course that is offered. In this course, you will learn to understand the material world around you. This course provides an introduction to Solid State Physics: the physics of matter in the solid state. Statistical Physics 1, Quantum Mechanics 2 (in particular: Quantum Statistics: Fermi-Dirac and Bose-Einstein statistics, the free-electrongas) Description

Solid state physics science