Structure and Properties
of Materials (MAT 509)
Fall 2021
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. The content also emphasizes today’s
methods for characterization of electrical and optical properties and how the
physics of the solid state is tailored in today’s technological applications.
Instructor: Prof. Burç
Mısırlıoğlu
Room: G046, Phone:
483 9562
E-mail:
burc@sabanciuniv.edu
Office hours: E-mail
beforehand and we shall set the meeting time.
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 consult me 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. An introduction to waves and
oscillations
1.1. Vibrations on a string.
1.2. Electromagnetic wave equation and
the black body radiation.
1.3. Waves in crystals (An overview of phonons),
dispersion relation for a 1D crystal with a single atom and two atoms (origin
of optical phonon modes).
1.4.
The Schrödinger Equation.
2. Electrons in Solids and Band Theory
2.1. Free electron formulation.
2.2. Solution of the Schrödinger equation for the
electron in a box.
2.3. Quantum tunneling, finite barrier formulation.
2.4.
Solution of the Schrödinger equation for a periodic potential (Bloch approach,
Krönig-Penney model).
2.5. Diffraction of waves, reciprocal lattice,
Brillouin zone concept, Fourier analysis of a crystal structure.
2.6. Condition of diffraction for waves in a
crystal, origin of the bandgap demo on a 1D lattice.
2.7. Energy bands in ordered solids, crystals,
construction of free electron energy-wave vector diagrams.
2.8. Density of states and population density
(Fermi-Dirac statistics).
3. Electrical and Thermal Conduction
3.1. Classical approach to electrical conduction
(Drude model).
3.2. Quantum mechanical approach to
electrical conduction.
3.3. Semiconductors, Schottky junctions, Ohmic
junctions, depletion/interface capacitance definition, current flow at a
junction.
3.4. 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.
4. Optical properties of solids
4.1.
Electromagnetic wave equation and index of refraction.
4.2. Continuum approach to explain optical
properties of solids (harmonic oscillator treatment of electrons as dipoles).
4.3. Atomistic approach (Classical dynamics using eqn.
of motion of an electron under an oscillating electric field).
4.4. Quantum approach, inter-band, direct/indirect
gap transitions in semiconductors and insulators, absorption of radiation by
materials.
4.5. Lasers, Raman effect.
5. Magnetism in solids, dielectrics and
ferroelectrics
5.1. Theories
to explain magnetism in materials.
5.2.
Paramagnetism, ferromagnetism, antiferromagnetism, diamagnetism,
ferrimagnetism.
5.3. Origin of dielectric behavior.
5.4. Ferroelectric phenomena.
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.