PHYS4450 Solid State Physics (Winter 2013)
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PHYS4450 Solid State Physics (Winter 2013)

This course aims at providing students with the essential concepts of solid state physics. The thermal, electrical, and magnetic properties of solids will be discussed via microscopic models. Topics covered include: survey of crystal lattices, elastic scattering of waves, atomic vibrations, electrons in crystals, thermodynamics of phonons and electrons, electrical and thermal conduction, magnetic properties, and superconductivity. Students are advised to take phy3202 or its equivalent before taking this course or obtain permission from the instructor.
Course Instructor

Prof. Pak Ming Hui
Office: SC 209, Tel: 2609-6351
Email: pmhui@phy.cuhk.edu.hk
Consultation Hour: stop by my office any time or by appointment

Teaching Assistant/Grader

Mr Ming Yip Li
Office: SC 313
Email: myli@phy.cuhk.edu.hk
Consultation Hour: Monday 2:30 - 4:15pm

Miss Wing Chi Yu
Office: SC 316
Email: wcyu@phy.cuhk.edu.hk
Consultation Hour: Wednesday 2:30 - 4:15pm


Lectures/Discussions

Tuesday 2:30pm - 4:15pm (LSB C2)
Thursday 2:30pm - 4:15pm (LSB C2)

Exercise Class

Wednesday 1:30pm - 2:15pm (SC LG23)
[TA will discuss Problem Sets AND Sample Questions in Exercise Classes]

Textbook(s)

  • [Textbook] Charles Kittel, Introduction to Solid State Physics (8th edition), Wiley 2005.
  • [Key reference] J. Richard Christman, Fundamentals of Solid State Physics, Wiley 1988.

    • Reference Books

    Reserved in the University Library:
  • M. A. Omar, Elementary Solid State Physics : Principles and Applications, Addison-Wesley 1975.
  • O. Madelung, Introduction to Solid-State Theory, Springer-Verlag 1978.
  • J. R. Hook and H. E. Hall, Solid State Physics, Wiley 1991.
  • Harald Ibach and Hans Luth, Solid-State Physics : An Introduction to Theory and Experiment, Springer-Verlag 1991.
  • Micheal de Podesta, Understanding the Properties of Matter, Taylor & Francis 2002.
  • James D. Livingston, Electronic Properties of Engineering Materials, Wiley 1999.
  • Richard Dalven, Introdution to Applied Solid State Physics, Plenum 1990.
  • J. M. Ziman, Principles of the Theory of Solids, Cambridge University Press 1972.
  • Neil W. Ashcroft and N. David Mermin, Solid State Physics, Saunders 1976.
  • R. A. Smith, Wave Mechanics of Crystalline Solids, Chapman & Hall 1969.
  • John J. Quinn and Kyung-Soo Yi, Solid State Physics: Principles and Modern Applications, Springer-Verlag 2009. [electronic version]

    • Assessment Scheme

  • Homework problem sets: 20%
  • Self-study+outline+presentation: 13%
  • Mid-term Exam: 22%
  • Final Exam: 45%

    • Course Outline

  • Crystal structures
  • Reciprocal lattices
  • Elastic scattering of waves
  • Lattice vibrations
  • Thermal properties (phonon)
  • Electron states in solids
  • Band Theory
  • Thermal properties (electron)
  • Transport properties
  • Thermal conduction
  • Magnetic properties