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 - they both are 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.