• Studies
• Courses
• • FYS3410

Norsk versjon

FYS3410 - Condensed matter physics

Facts about this course: Credits: 10 Teaching semester: Every spring semester Examination semester: Every spring semester Language of instruction: English if requested by exchange students, otherwise Norwegian Administrated by: Department of Physics

Detailed course information - Current and previous semesters: Spring 2012 Spring 2011 Spring 2010 Spring 2009 Spring 2008 Spring 2007 Spring 2006 Spring 2005 Spring 2004

Course content

• Periodic structures, understanding of diffraction experiment and reciprocal lattice
• Imperfections in crystals: diffusion, point defects, dislocations
• Crystal vibrations: phonon heat capacity and thermal conductivity
• Free electron Fermi gas: density of states, Fermi level, and electrical conductivity
• Electrons in periodic potential: energy bands theory classification of metals, semiconductors and insulators
• Semiconductors: band gap, effective masses, charge carrier distributions, doping, pn-junctions
• Metals: Fermi surfaces, temperature dependence of electrical conductivity

Learning outcomes

Students receive an introduction to the field providing basic knowledge but also serving as a briefing on current issues within the field of condensed matter physics and materials science as the basis for selection of a master thesis program.

Students are expected to demonstrate understanding of periodic potential manifestations in solids and should be able to describe basic phenomena, x-ray diffraction, dispersion, density of states and energy band concept, in crystals using classical or quantized laws or approximations. With this we mean:

• reciprocal lattice vectors to be calculated for typical high symmetrical crystals and the relationship between Miller indices (hkl) and the distance between the lattice plains is to be understood.
• Laue equation to be derived and the meaning of the Ewald construction, as well as Brillouin zones can be explained.
• equilibrium concentration of point defects (e.g. vacancies) shall be calculated as a function of temperature and pressure.
• diffusion phenomena to be explained on the atomic level.
• dispersion for a linear lattice containing one and two atoms per primitive basis to be derived and the meaning of optical and acoustic phonons to be explained - especially at the origin and near the first Brillouin zone boundary.
• phonon density of states to be derived in the 1- and 3-dimensional cases.
• lattice contribution to heat capacity should be calculated using the Debye and Einstein approximations.
• temperature dependence of thermal conductivity should be explained.
• Fermi-Dirac distribution could be derived.
• density of states and heat capacity for the Fermi electron gas will be derived in the 1- and 3-dimensional cases and concepts of Fermi level and Fermi surface to be explained.
• temperature dependence of electrical conductivity should be explained in terms of the Fermi electron gas theory.
• energy band structure should be explained in terms of the periodic potential and illustrated by using Kronig-Penny model.
• band structure in the empty lattice approximation, zero potential, to be visualized in the first Brillouin zone in a simple cubic crystal.
• approaching band structure in the nearly free electron model, specifically near Brillouin zone boundaries, so that the origin for the band gap is understood.
• classification into metals, semiconductors and insulators anchored in the energy band structure.
• effective mass can be introduced and the meaning of the effective mass values near Brillouin zone boundaries should be explained.
• carrier charge distributions as a function of temperature in intrinsic and doped semiconductors to be calculated.
• hole and electron profiles through a pn-junction and its rectification properties should be explained.
• reduced, periodic and expanded zone schemes to be explained.
• construction of Fermi surfaces to be explained.

Admission

Students at UiO must apply for courses in StudentWeb.

International applicants, if you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures for international applicants.

Prerequisites

Formal prerequisites

In addition to fulfilling the Higher Education Entrance Qualification, applicants have to meet the following special admission requirements:

One of these:

• Mathematics R1
• Mathematics (S1+S2)

And and in addition one of these:

• Mathematics (R1+R2)
• Physics (1+2)
• Chemistry (1+2)
• Biology (1+2)
• Information technology (1+2)
• Geosciences (1+2)
• Technology and theories of research (1+2)

The special admission requirements may also be covered by equivalent studies from Norwegian upper secondary school or by other equivalent studies. Read more about special admission requirements.

Recommended prior knowledge

Knowledge corresponding to the following courses at the University of Oslo: FYS-MEK1110 - Mechanics, FYS1120 - Electromagnetism, FYS2130 - Waves and oscillations, FYS2140 - Quantum physics and FYS2160 - Thermodynamics and statistical physics.

Overlap

10 credits overlap against FYS230.

Teaching

The course is given in the spring term and contains 5 hours of teaching (lectures and exercises) per week. Compulsory problems will be included.

Exam information

Written midterm-exam (medio March) (3 hours) with approx. 40 % weight. Final oral exam (primo June) with approx. 60% weight..

Assessment and grading

Course grades are awarded on a descending scale using alphabetic grades from A to E for passes and F for fail. Read more about the grading system .

An external auditor regularly evaluates the academic quality of the course, including the form of exam used on the course.

Explanations and appeals

Students can request an explanation of their grades, and can also appeal against their grades or make a complaint about formal examination errors. Read more about explanations and appeals

Possibility of make-up exams and re-takes

You can usually resit an exam, but the conditions depend on whether you had a valid reason for absence from the regular exam. Read more about resitting an exam .

Exam options for students with special needs

Students may apply for access to alternative exam resources or exam forms on the basis of chronic illness and/or special needs that create a marked disadvantage to other students in the exam situation. Mothers who are breastfeeding may apply for extra time to complete the exam.

Evaluation of this course

Feedback from our students is essential to us in our efforts to ensure and further improve the high quality of our programmes and courses. As a student at the University of Oslo you will therefore be asked to participate in various types of evaluation of our courses, facilities and services. All courses are subject to continuous evaluation. At regular intervals we also ask students on a particular course to participate in a more comprehensive, in-depth evaluation of this course, a so called "periodic evaluation".

Contact us

Powered by Vortex