Atomic, Molecular, and Condensed Matter Physics
Simon J. L. Billinge, Fall 2000
Learning Objectives:
Part I Structural Properties
Understand bonding in the solid state
Understand basic ideas of crystallinity and symmetry
Learn to use the basic vector and tensor tools used in describing crystals
Be comfortable with the Fourier Transform
Learn definitions and basic manipulations of the reciprocal lattice
Understand the relationship of bonding and elasticity in solids
Know the basic results of elastic wave propagation in solids
Be able to derive phonon dispersion curves in 1-d solids with a basis
Understand the origin of heat capacity, thermal expansion and thermal conductivity in solids
Part II Electronic Properties
- Be able to derive basic quantities such as the Fermi energy and Fermi velocity in free electron solids
- Understand the concept of the density of states
- Be able to derive AC and DC electrical conductivity and Hall effect in free electron metals
- Understand and be able to apply the Bloch theorum
- Understand the qualitative results of nearly free electron (NFE) theory; understand the importance of the Brillouin zone, the origin of energy gaps and the conditions on allowed energy states in solids
- Be able to construct Brillouin zones and Fermi surfaces and to draw NFE bands in 2-D solids.
Part III Atoms and molecules
- Origin of atomic energy levels
- Understand exchange and the Pauli exclusion principle
- Understand the symmetry of spin wave functions
- Understand qualitatively how to deal with systems of three or more electrons
- Understand the origin, and implications, of the electronic states of atoms in the periodic table
- Understand qualitatively excited states of atoms and atomic spectroscopy
- Understand the origin of the Zeeman effect and orbital and spin angular momentum
- Be able to derive the covalent bonding energy of a non-polar or polar diatomic molecule
- Understand how these ideas can be extended to linear chains of atoms resulting in bands (LCAO theory)
Part IV Properties of solids
- Be familiar with some of the properties of solids such as dielectric properties, optical properties, excitons, superconductivity and magnetism in solids.