Lecture Notes

Introduction: Emergence in Condensed Matter

Macroscopic properties of materials and classification of phases: gases, liquids, solids, and more...

Atoms as Building Blocks

How important is Quantum mechanics for understanding "Big" objects around us? Inter-atomic forces.

Review

Modern physics and elementary concepts in quantum mechanics.

Phase Transitions

Van der Waaals equation and the liquid-gas critical point. Concept of universality.

Crystalline Solids

This beat-up car certainly does not look nearly as pretty as the "girl's best friend" - the diamond. Under the microscope, however, both look very similar - simply periodic arrays of atoms .

Classification and measurement of crystal structures; crystal growth.

Lattice Properties

Phonons, thermal properties, phonon density of states and scattering.

Free Electron Model of Metals

Electric conductivity and Hall effect, electronic specific heat.

Band Theory of Solids

Electron in a periodic potential, Fermi surface, classification of solids.

Semiconductors

Semiconducting materials, electrical and optical properties.

Semiconductor Devices

Diodes, transistors, opto-electronics, integrated circuits, molecular electronics.

Superconductivity

Materials and phenomena, BCS description, superconducting junctions and devices.

Magnetism

Classification of magnetism, ferromagnetic materials, information storage, spin electronics.

Beyond solids: soft materials

Liquid crystals, polymers, membranes, and more.