Structure and Properties
of Materials (MAT 509)
Fall 2013
This course
aims to give a general understanding of the relationship between observed
properties of materials and the internal structure with emphasis on materials
for electronic and optical applications. As the topic covers a vast amount of
phenomena, we will focus on the fundamental principles, today’s methods for
characterization of electrical and optical properties and how the physics of
the condensed state is tailored in today’s technological applications.
Instructor: Burç
Mısırlıoğlu
Room: G046, Phone:
483 9562
E-mail:
burc@sabanciuniv.edu
Office hours: All times as
long as I am available. An e-mail request before coming to my office is the
best way to learn about my availability.
Date and
classroom: N/A yet
Grading: % 20
Homeworks, %30 Midterm, %20 Term project, % 30 Final. There will be around one
homework every two weeks.
Important: Late
homeworks and assignments WILL NOT BE accepted and will receive zero.
Attendance to classes is not obligatory but full attendance will be considered
as a sign of interest in the class topics and motivation.
Textbook: There is no
textbook requirement for this class and I compile the notes from a variety of
books that are also available at the IC. Recommended references at the IC:
Other than the
above, feel free to come to my office and ask for any resources I might have.
Subjects to be
covered in the course (Note that there might be some slight modifications to
the content during the course of the semester) :
1. Atomic bonding
1.1. Brief overview: Structure of an
atom.
1.2. Types of atomic bonds in
condensed matter (solids and liquids).
1.3. Overview of impact of bonding state on commonly
observed physical properties.
2. An introduction to waves and
oscillations
2.1. Vibrations on a string.
2.2. Electromagnetic wave equation and
the black body radiation.
2.3. Waves in crystals (phonons ).
2.4
The Schrödinger Equation.
3. Electrons in solids
4.1. Wave-particle duality.
4.2. Solution of the Schrödinger equation for a
single potential well.
4.3.
Solution of the Schrödinger equation for a periodic potential (Bloch approach,
Krönig-Penney model).
4.4. Density of states and population density
(Fermi-Dirac statistics).
4.5. Diffraction of waves, reciprocal lattice,
Brillouin zone concept, Fourier analysis of a crystal structure.
4.6. Condition of diffraction for waves in a
crystal, origin of the bandgap.
4.4. Energy bands in ordered solids, crystals,
construction of free electron energy-wave vector diagrams.
4. Electrical and Thermal Conduction
5.1. Classical approach to electrical
conduction (Drude model).
5.2. Quantum mechanical approach to
electrical conduction.
5.3. Semiconductors, Schottky junctions, Ohmic
junctions, depletion capacitance definition, current flow at a junction.
5.4. Thermal properties: (Phonon and electronic
contribution), heat capacity (Einstein model, Debye Model, discussion of the
Dulong-Petite Law), thermal conductivity and its relation to phonon population
and free electron density (population density in the conduction band) in a
crystal.
5. Optical properties of condensed media
6.1.
Electromagnetic wave equation and index of refraction.
6.2. Continuum approach to explain optical properties
of solids (harmonic oscillator treatment of electrons as dipoles).
6.3. Atomistic approach (Classical dynamics using
eqn. of motion of an electron under an oscillating electric field).
6.4. Quantum approach, inter-band, direct/indirect
gap transitions in semiconductors and insulators, absorption of radiation by
materials.
6.5. Raman effect (If we have time).
6. Magnetism in solids, dielectrics and
ferroelectrics
7.1. Theories
to explain magnetism in materials.
7.2.
Paramagnetism, ferromagnetism, antiferromagnetism, diamagnetism,
ferrimagnetism.
7.3. Origin of dielectric behavior.
7.4. Ferroelectric phenomena.
7.5. Superconductivity: An overview.
We will mostly use the chapters in the
following books:
Richard H. Bube, “Electrons in Solids”.
Rolf Hummel, “Electronic Properties of
Materials”.
Charles Kittel, “Introduction to
Any other information related to topics
such as “fundamental equations in electrostatics” and similar will be given in
the class.