Physics 880.06: Condensed Matter Physics (Fall, 2002)

[ Introduction and General Format | Syllabus ]
[Office Hours; Grader| Random Information]
[ Problem Sets ]

Introduction and General Format

Physics 880.06 is the first quarter of a three quarter sequence on Condensed Matter Physics. The main text for the first two quarters will be Ashcroft and Mermin, ``Solid State Physics'' (Saunders, 1976). Some supplemental material will be drawn from Michael P. Marder ``Condensed Matter Physics,'' (Corrected Printing, Wiley Interscience, 2000). The third quarter will be devoted to a single special topic, probably superconductivity. Suggested background includes quantum mechanics and electricity and magnetism at the undergraduate level. Some background in undergraduate statistical physics would be useful, but will be developed as needed. The course should be accessible to many first year grad students and possibly even a very well prepared undergraduate. If you have questions about the needed background, please get in touch with me. The course will meet MWF from 9:30 to 10:18 in Smith 1186. The instructor is David Stroud (email stroud@mps.ohio-state.edu; telephone 292-8140; office Smith 4034).

Grading will be based on homework (about 50%), and a final (about 50%). I will discard your grade on the lowest homework set. Grades will be distributed according to the usual scale for 880xx courses. The final is tentatively planned for Saturday, December 7 from 11AM to 1PM in Smith4079.

Syllabus

Topics for fall quarter will include the Drude and Sommerfeld free-electron theory of metals, crystal lattices, the reciprocal lattice, methods for measuring crystal structures (X-ray and neutron diffraction), electronic states in a periodic potential, methods for calculating electronic structure, band structure of selected solids, the classical and quantum theory of the harmonic lattice, and possibly, if time permits, the semiclassical theory of electron dynamics and electronic conduction.