Reminder: Course Announcement Physics 6806. Condensed Matter Physics

[Valdes Aguilar, Rolando]

Physics 6806
Condensed Matter Physics
Spring 2015

Instructor: Assistant Professor Rolando Valdés Aguilar.
Contact Information: PRB 2042, phone: X-292 5758, email: valdesaguilar.1 at osu.edu<mailto:valdesaguilar.1 at osu.edu>.
Office Hours: by appointment only.
Pre-requisites: Quantum Mechanics (Physics 5501 - Griffiths). Knowledge of Electromagnetism (Griffiths) and Statistical Mechanics (Schroeder) would be beneficial. If you will be taking Statistical Mechanics and/or E&M concurrently, or are unsure about your preparation, please come talk to me.
Textbook: The Oxford Solid State Basics. Author: Steven H. Simon (Oxford University Press, 2013. ISBN (paperback): 978-0-19-968077-1, ISBN (hardcover): 978-0-19-968076-4).
Location: TBD.
Time: Tuesday and Thursday 1:50 – 3:55 pm.
Description: This is an intensive course that will provide an introduction to the vast field of condensed matter physics. We will cover traditional and modern aspects of the field by using both theoretical and experimental descriptions. The goal is to be able to understand at a basic level current research papers, and also to appreciate, at the phenomenological level, the importance of condensed matter research in modern technology.

Syllabus:

I.                Physics of solids without microscopic structure

a.      Specific heat

b.      Drude model of conductivity

c.      Sommerfeld model

II.              Chemical Bonding and the Periodic Table

III.             Models of solids in 1 dimension

IV.             Lattice structure of Solids

a.      Bravais Lattices

b.      Reciprocal Lattice and Brillouin Zones

V.              Wave scattering in crystals: Neutron and X-ray diffraction

VI.             Electrons in Solids

a.      Nearly-free electron model

b.      Fermi surfaces in metals

c.      Insulators, semiconductors and metals

VII.           Magnetism

a.      Atomic magnetism

b.      Magnetic order in solids

c.      Mean field theories

VIII.          Superconductivity

IX.             Advanced (Modern) Topics

a.      Graphene

b.      Topological Insulators

c.      High-Tc superconductors

Homework assignments: ≥ 4.
Final paper: Topics will be proposed and should be chosen by end of 3rd week of classes. Paper is due on final day of classes. You can submit 1 draft at least 2 weeks prior to the due date for comments.
Midterm date: Either March 3rd or 5th.
Final exam date: As assigned by University Registrar. Alternatively, class could vote to have more time at a different date.
Grading: Homework = 40%; Exams = 40%; Paper = 20%.



Rolando Valdés Aguilar
Assistant Professor
Department of Physics
Center for Emergent Materials
The Ohio State University
191 W Woodruff Ave.
Columbus, OH 43210.
+1 (614) 292 5758

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