Solid-State Materials

Catalog description

The main course objective is to provide sufficient background for the understanding of fundamental phenomena in solid state materials. Mathematical description of periodic arrays and the concept of reciprocal space are introduced, lattice vibrations are discussed. An introduction to quantum mechanics is given and the solution of the stationary Schrödinger Equation for various problems relevant in nanostructured materials is presented. A semi-quantitative approach is taken how the electronic structure of isolated atoms is changed as they bond and form molecules and solids. Emphasis is placed how such bonding influences whether the resulting material will be a metal, an insulator or a semiconductor. The goal is to master the modern framework in solid state materials that describes materials phenomena at an atomic level, such as electronic band structure and electronic transport, the vibrational properties of solid state materials and to prepare the audience for higher level quantum mechanical problems.