MATSE 413 - Solid-State Materials

The main course objective is to provide sufficient background for the understanding of fundamental phenomena in solid state materials that are based on the atomic level. First, a semi-quantitative description of the driving forces behind bond formation are discussed, followed by a mathematically rigorous description of periodic arrays and the introduction of the concept of reciprocal space. Lattice vibrations occurring in solid state materials are discussed and an introduction into quantum mechanics is given. The solution of the time-independent Schrödinger Equation for various problems relevant in nanostructured materials is presented and the motion of charged carriers in solid state materials is discussed. A semi-quantitative approach is taken how the electronic structure of isolated atoms is changed as they bond to form molecules and solids and emphasis is placed on how such bonding affects whether the resulting material will be a metal, an insulator, or a semiconductor. The goal of this course is to introduce and master the modern framework of solid state materials that describes materials phenomena at an atomic level, such as electronic band structure and electronic transport, the vibrational properties of solid state materials, and to prepare the audience for higher level quantum mechanical problems relevant to a more comprehensive understanding of the solid state.