PHZ5491 Condensed Matter Physics I, Fall 2007

Syllabus

Lectures: Tue., Thu., 9:30 - 11:30am  in UPL 107.

Instructor: Nick Bonesteel
    Office: A313 (Magnet Lab); 617 Keen (Physics Department)
    Tel.: (850) 644-7805
    E-mail: bonestee@magnet.fsu.edu

Office Hours:  Tue., Thu., 11:00-12:00 in 617 Keen, or by appointment.

Course Description:   This course will cover some of the basic foundational principles of condensed matter physics, focusing on the quantum theory of crystalline solids.

Main Text:   N.W. Ashcroft and N.D. Mermin, Solid State Physics, (Holt, Rinegart and Winston, 1976).

Further Reading:

  • C. Kittel, Introduction to Solid State Physics, 8th Edition, (Wiley, 2004).
  • J.M. Ziman, Theory of Solids, (Cambridge University Press, 1972).
  • M.P. Marder, Condensed Matter Physics, (Wiley, 2000).

Course Topics (Chapters refer to Ashcroft and Mermin):

  • Drude-Sommerfeld Theory of Metals (Chapters 1-3)
  • Lattices and Diffraction (Chapters 4-6)
  • Bloch's Theorem (Chapter 8)
  • Weak and Strong Periodic Potentials (Chapters 9 & 10)
  • Semiclassical Theory (Chapters 12 & 13)
  • Measuring the Fermi Surface (Chapters 14 & 15)
  • Lattice Dynamics (Chapters 21-24)
  • Insulators (Chapter 27)
  • Semiconductors (Chapters 28 & 29)
  • Magnetism (Chapters 31-33)
  • Superconductivity (Chapter 34)

Course Web Page: http://www.physics.fsu.edu/courses/fall07/phz5491/

Homework:  Homework will typically be assigned on Thursdays, and will be due the following Thursday.  Discussion of the homework among students is encouraged, but each student should hand in his/her own solutions. 

Exams:  There will be two in-class mid-term exams and a take-home final exam.  The mid-term exams will  take place in early October and early November (precise dates to be determined).

Grading: Course grades will be determined by your performance on the assigned problem sets, the two mid-term exams, and the final exam.  The percentage contribution of each to the overall grade will be as follows:

  • Homework (30%)
  • First Mid-term Exam (20%)
  • Second Mid-term Exam (20%)
  • Final Exam (30%)

 

Homework Assignments: 

  • HW#1:   Ashcroft & Mermin, Chap. 1, Problems 1, 2, 4;  Chap. 2, Problem 1.  Due: Thursday, Sep. 6.   (Announcement:  Only the first three problems of HW#1 will be due on 9/6.  Problem 2-1 will be due on 9/13.)  (Solution)
  • HW#2:   Ashcroft & Mermin, Chap. 2, Problems 1, 3.  Due: Thursday, Sep. 13. (Solution)
  • HW#3:   Ashcroft & Mermin, Chap. 4, Problems 2, 5, 8; Chap. 5, Problem 1.  Due: Thursday, Sep. 20. (Solution)
  • HW#4:   Ashcroft & Mermin, Chap. 5, Problem 2; Chap. 6, Problems 1, 2, 3.  Due: Thursday, Sep. 27  (Deadline extended to Friday, Sep. 29).  (Solution)
  • HW#5:   Ashcroft & Mermin, Chap. 8, Problems 1 and 2.  Due: Thursday, Oct. 4. (Solution)
  • MIDTERM#1    (Solution), Tuesday, Oct. 9.
  • HW#6:   Click here for pdf.  Due: Thursday, Oct. 18. (Solution)
  • HW#7:   Click here for pdf.  Due: Thursday, Oct. 25. (Solution)
  • HW#8:   Ashcroft & Mermin, Chap. 12, Problems 1, 2, 3, 7.  Due: Thursday, Nov. 1 (Deadline extended to Tuesday, Nov. 6). (Solution)
  • HW#9:  Ashcroft & Mermin, Chap. 14, Problems 1, 2.  Due: Tuesday, Nov. 13.
  • MIDTERM#2   (Solution), Thursday, Nov. 16.
  • HW#10: Ashcroft & Mermin, Chap. 28, Problems 1(b), 2, 4, 7.  Due: Thursday, Nov. 29.  (Solution)
  • HW#11: Ashcroft & Mermin, Chap. 22, Problems 2, 5.  Due: Thursday, Dec. 6.  (Solution)
  • TAKE HOME FINAL:  Click here for pdf.  Due:  Thursday, Dec. 13 at Midnight.

 

Here's a link to the Physics Today article on graphene referred to in the Final Exam:

http://www.physicstoday.org/vol-59/iss-1/pdf/vol59no1p21_23.pdf

 

 

 

Absence: Please inform me in advance of any excused absence (e.g., religious holiday) on the day an assignment is due. If the absence is known in advance, you can hand the homework in early.  Missed assignments due to unexpected absences will be handled on a case by case basis.                               

 

ADA Statement: Students with disabilities needing academic accommodation should: (1) register with and provide documentation to the Student Disability Resource Center; (2) bring a letter to the instructor indicating the need for accommodation and what type. Please do this during the first week of class.

Honor Code: Students are expected to uphold the Academic Honor Code published in the Florida State University Bulletin and the Student Handbook. The Academic Honor Systems of Florida State University is based on the premise that each student has the responsibility to (1) uphold the highest standards of academic integrity in the student's own work, (2) refuse to tolerate violations of academic integrity in the university community, and (3) foster a high sense of integrity and social responsibility on the part of the university community.