Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2022 - PHYS 861 G100

Introduction to Solid State Physics (3)

Class Number: 5886

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 10 – Apr 11, 2022: Mon, Wed, Fri, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    PHYS 465 or equivalent, and PHYS 415.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Free electron theory, crystal structure, band theory, Bloch's theorem, electron dynamics, phonons, semiconductors. Course offered regularly.

COURSE DETAILS:

Introduction: elementary excitations in solids

Interacting electrons
            • Two electron systems            
            • Second quantization            
            • Hartree-Fock theory
            • Screening and Thomas-Fermi theory

Independent electrons in a periodic potential
            • Periodic structures
            • Bloch’s theorem
            • Band structure calculations: nearly free electrons, tight binding, pseudopotentials, density functional theory

Electronic structure of materials
            • Metals
            • Semiconductors
            • Strongly correlated systems

Semiclassical transport theory
            • The Boltzmann equation
            • Conductivity of metals
            • Effects in magnetic fields
            • Thermal conductivity

Collective Phenomena
            • Response functions
            • Kramers-Krönig relations
            • Random phase approximation and the dielectric function
            • Fermi liquid theory
            • Electron Green’s function and spectral function
            • Photoemission
            • Spin—charge separation

Superconductivity
            • Ginzburg—Landau theory
            • BCS theory
            • Bogoliubov transformation
            • Cuprate superconductors

There may be departures from this outline depending on time and interests of the class.

Grading

  • Assignments 50%
  • In-Class Presentation 25%
  • Final 25%

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

No required text.  Instructor will provide detailed course notes and a reading list

Graduate Studies Notes:

Important dates and deadlines for graduate students are found here: http://www.sfu.ca/dean-gradstudies/current/important_dates/guidelines.html. The deadline to drop a course with a 100% refund is the end of week 2. The deadline to drop with no notation on your transcript is the end of week 3.

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 SPRING 2022

Teaching at SFU in spring 2022 will involve primarily in-person instruction, with safety plans in place.  Some courses will still be offered through remote methods, and if so, this will be clearly identified in the schedule of classes.  You will also know at enrollment whether remote course components will be “live” (synchronous) or at your own pace (asynchronous).

Enrolling in a course acknowledges that you are able to attend in whatever format is required.  You should not enroll in a course that is in-person if you are not able to return to campus, and should be aware 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.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who may need class or exam accommodations, including in the context of remote learning, are advised to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112) as early as possible in order to prepare for the spring 2022 term.