Solid State Physics PY543, Instructor: Anatoli Polkovnikov, Grading: Colin Howard, Discussions: Michael Kolodrubetz

Office hours: Tuesdays after class (A.P.), Wednesdays 2-3pm (M.K.)

Main text: The Oxford: Solid State Basics by S. Simon (2013).

Additional text: Ashcroft and Mermin, Solid State Physics

Brief description: Basic concepts of solid state physics: phonons, electrons in metals, band structure, dielectrics, semiconductors, metals, geometry of solids, crystal structure, reciprocal lattice, neutron scattering and X-ray diffraction, magnetism and superconductivity.

Grading: Home works – 35%, Midterm exam – 30%, Final exam – 35%.

Office hours: Tuesdays after class.

Home works: work in groups is welcome, but everyone has to write his/her own solution.

Exams: closed book with one sheet of formulas permitted.

Howe works (problems from S. Simon, The Oxford Solid State Physics)

1. (Due 01/30/2014): 2.1, 2.3, 2.5, 3.1 (c,e), 3.2. Solutions

2. (Due 02/06/2014): 4.2, 4.3, 4.7, 6.6*. In problem 4.7 please estimate the pressure needed to squeeze electrons in Na or K by 1% and compare it with the atmospheric pressure. Solutions

3. (Due 02/13/2014) 8.2, 8.4, 9.1, 9.2, 9.8* Solutions

4. (Due 02/20/2014) 10.1, 10.2, 11.1, 11.2, 11.5* Solutions

5. (Due 02/27/2014) 11.7* (except part iii), 12.2, 15.1, 15.5, 15.6*, Solutions

6. (Due 03/20/2014) 12.3, 12.5, 13.1, 13.2, 13.4, 13.5 Solutions

7. (Due 04/03/2014) 14.1, 14.2, 14.4 (part a) only), 14.6, 14.9

8. (Due 04/03/2014) 15.2, 15.3 Solutions

9. (Due 04/10/2014) 16.2, 17.2, 17.3, 17.5, 17.9 Solutions

10. (Due 04/17/2014) 18.1, 18.3*, 18.5, 20.1, 20.4, 20.5 Solutions

11. (Due 05/01/2014) 21.2, 21.3*, 22.1, 22.2, 22.5, 23.1