Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2020 - PHYS 465 D100

Solid State Physics (3)

Class Number: 1158

Delivery Method: Remote

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 9 – Dec 8, 2020: Mon, Wed, Fri, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Dec 19, 2020
    Sat, 7:00–10:00 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    PHYS 385 or CHEM 364, with a minimum grade of C-.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Crystal structure, lattice vibrations and thermal properties of solids, free electron model, band theory, and applications. Quantitative.

COURSE DETAILS:

Lecture: Mo, We, Fr 11:30am-12:20pm
Tutorial: Wed 4:30pm-5:30pm

Course Details
• Heat Capacity - Einstein and Debye models

• Conductivity – Free electron gas, Drude model, Hall measurements

• Fermi Level - Fermi-Dirac Statistics, scattering lengths, effective mass

• Atomic Bonds – periodic table, bond types, cohesive energy

• Lattice vibrations - Phonons, acoustic and optical modes, Brillouin zone

• Structure – Bravais lattice, reciprocal space, particle scattering, diffraction

• Electrons in crystals – energy bands, Bloch waves, Fermi surfaces

• Semiconductors and Insulators – bandgaps, carriers, dopant impurities, mass action law

• Magnets – susceptibility, dia- and paramagnetism, Curie law

Course delivery:

Lectures: synchronous and interactive. Some credit may be awarded for in-class participation (Clicker-style questions). Will be recorded.
Tutorials: synchronous and interactive. Review-style sessions will be recorded; break-out room discussions will not. Credit awarded for work done collaboratively in break-out rooms.
Independent project presentations: In-class via video or written with follow-up one-on-one video Q&A with instructor.
Tests (3 during the term; dates to be announced): synchronous.
Final exam: synchronous. Date TBD (Final Exam period is Dec 9-20)
All testing will be invigilated via video monitoring. Details to be provided prior to testing.

Grading

  • Problem Sets 15%
  • Tutorial Group Work 5%
  • Independent Project 20%
  • In-class exams (3) + Final (best 3 count) 60%

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

1. S. Simon, The Oxford Solid State Basics ISBN:9780191502101

2. Solid State Physics an Introduction, Philip Hofmann, Hoboken: Wiley 2015


*Students can purchase textbooks from online retailers if e-book not available at SFU Bookstore.

*Computer and Internet Access Required


Required computer resources:

• reliable high-speed internet access

• computer or tablet with webcam and microphone

• smartphone with camera

 

Software:

• Canvas with Blackboard Collaborate Ultra

• Zoom

Department Undergraduate Notes:

Students who cannot write their exam during the course's scheduled exam time must request accommodation from their instructor in writing, clearly stating the reason for this request, before the end of the first week of classes.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

TEACHING AT SFU IN FALL 2020

Teaching at SFU in fall 2020 will be conducted primarily through remote methods. There will be in-person course components in a few exceptional cases where this is fundamental to the educational goals of the course. Such course components will be clearly identified at registration, as will course components that will be “live” (synchronous) vs. at your own pace (asynchronous). Enrollment acknowledges that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes. To ensure you can access all course materials, we recommend you have access to a computer with a microphone and camera, and the internet. In some cases your instructor may use Zoom or other means requiring a camera and microphone to invigilate exams. If proctoring software will be used, this will be confirmed in the first week of class.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need class or exam accommodations, including in the current context of remote learning, are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112).