Physics 555

Solid State Physics I

Fall 2005

MWF 10:40-11:35 in Physics B-131

(Note Room Change)

Instructor: Prof. Adam Durst Physics B-139 631-632-8132 adam.durst@stonybrook.edu Office Hours: T 11-12 and Th 3-4

Teaching Assistant: Jinfeng Liao 631-216-2429 jliao@grad.physics.sunysb.edu

Scope of the Course

A study of the fundamental principles and concepts of condensed matter physics. We will start at the beginning, with graduate quantum mechanics, statistical mechanics, and electromagnetism as the only prerequisites, but move quickly from there. By the end of the course, students should have a working knowledge of the fundamentals, sufficient to understand developments at the forefront of the field.

Syllabus (tentative and abridged)

Introduction

Free Electron Gases

Crystal Lattices

Electron Band Structure

Group Theory

Phonons

Interactions (Electron-Electron, Electron-Phonon)

Transport Properties

Optical Properties

Semiconductors

Magnetism

Superconductivity

Texts

Ashcroft and Mermin, Solid State Physics (required)

Ziman, Theory of Solids (required)

Kittel, Introduction to Solid State Physics

Kittel, Quantum Theory of Solids

Madelung, Introduction to Solid State Theory

Grosso and Parravicini, Solid State Physics

Ibach and Luth, Solid State Physics

Homework Policy

Problem sets will be assigned (almost) every Friday. They will be due the following Friday and will be graded and returned the Friday after that. Late problem sets will not be accepted. Problem sets should be written up neatly and clearly. Rough drafts that cannot be read easily will not be accepted. While discussions with fellow students are encouraged, submitted work must be written in your own words.

Grading

Problem Sets -- 50%

Midterm -- 20%

Final -- 30%