- Course Code
- PX 4009
- Credit Points
- 15
- Course Coordinator
- Dr J M S Skakle
Pre-requisites
Overview
This course builds on previous knowledge of quantum mechanics and statistical physics to apply these areas to the thermal and electrical properties of solids. This starts from the foundations of statistical mechanics with the Boltzmann and Gibbs distributions and associated partition functions.
The applications of statistical mechanics to solids is explored in the areas of defects, magnetism (magnetisation, phase transitions, magnetic cooling and thermometry), fermion systems (conduction electrons and semiconductor junctions), boson systems (phonons, Bose-Einstein condensation, superconductivity, superfluidity).
In addition, the course will develop the basic ideas of band theory, followed by the development of semiconductor physics which builds on both Boltzmann and Fermi-Dirac statistics as developed in statistical physics. The underlying concepts in semiconductor physics will develop from the movement of charge in solids, number densities of charge carriers, equilibrium then non-equilibrium semiconductors and will conclude with consolidation of these ideas through their application in the pn junction diode.
Structure
12 week course - Three-hours per week including a total of 8 hours devoted to tutorials.
Assessment
1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (60%) and in-course assessment (40%).