Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2026 - PHYS 861 G100

Introduction to Solid State Physics (3)

Class Number: 6161

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 5 – Apr 10, 2026: Tue, Thu, 10:30 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:

1) Crystal Structures – Reciprocal Lattice and Diffraction

Exercise: X-ray and Neutron Scattering

2) Free electron Fermi gas and lattice vibrations

Exercise: Specific heat of Cu (copper)

3) Electronic structure of materials

  • Band structures
  • Collective Phenomena - Response functions, Kramers-Kronig relations, Fermi liquid theory

Exercise: Optical conductivity of simple metal (Au, Ag, Cu, or Al)

  • Metal - Conductivity of metals, Effects in magnetic fields, Thermal conductivity

Exercise: Shubnikov – de Haas oscillations

  • Semiconductor
  • Insulator
  • Superconductor - BCS theory

Exercise: Specific heat and magnetization of Pb (lead): Tc, entropy, Hc1, Hc2, and experimental verification of the predictions

4) Magnetism of materials

  • Dirac equation
  • Magnetic Hamiltonian
  • The static susceptibility of non-interacting and interacting systems
  • The dynamic susceptibility of weakly and strongly interacting systems

-Metal vs Insulator

-Diamagnetism and Paramagnetism

Exercise: The de Haas-van Alphen effect: Fermi surfaces and effective mass

-Ordering phenomena

Exercise: magnetic susceptibility of Gd-based compound, effective moment, Curie-Weiss law, magnetic ordering, etc.

5) Special Topics - Strongly correlated systems

  • Heavy Fermion
  • Topologically non-trivial band structures – Dirac and Weyl semimetal
  • Unconventional superconductor such as Cuprate superconductors 

Exercise: linear dispersion, non-saturating MR, Landau level, Landau fan diagram and Berry phase.

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

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Objectives: The primary goal of this course is to provide students with analytical skills for successfully attacking theoretical problems in condensed matter physics and applying the major conclusion to real materials.

Grading

  • Assignments 60%
  • In-Class participation and presentation 20%
  • Final group project 20%

REQUIREMENTS:

Basic knowledge of undergraduate level Quantum Mechanics, Electrodynamics, and Statistical Mechanics.

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

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

Recommended text lists: Ashcroft and Mermin, Solid State Physics; Charles Kittel, Introduction to Solid State Physics.

Required software: Mathematica, MATLAB, C++, Python, Origin, etc (any program) for graphics and data processing.

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

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

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.