Condensed Matter Physics 2 (CMP2)

The course is based on Michael P. Marder: Condensed Matter Physics (Wiley, 2000) or, as well, Michael P. Marder: Condensed Matter Physics (Second Edition) (Wiley, 2010)

Its main topics are: Electrons in solids, elasticity theory and phonons. Semiclassical electron dynamics and the Boltzmann equation. Mean-field theory of ordering and second-order phase transitions. Magnetism of ions and electrons. Phenomenological theory of superconductivity. The course assumes knowledge of elementary quantum mechanics and statistical physics as well as some preliminary knowledge about the topic itself on a level corresponding to the introductory course: Condensed Matter Physics 1 (Faststoffysik).

After completing this course, the student will be able to

• appreciate the strengths and weaknesses of the free electron model and explain the effect of the lattice on the behaviour of electrons in solids (the  nearly-free electron model and the tight-binding model).
• understand the basic features of the coupled modes of oscillation of atoms in a crystal and relate crystal properties to the behaviour of these oscillations.
• use the rules semiclassical electron dynamics and the Boltzmann equation for describing electric conductivity and other transport phenomena.
• determine the mean-field behaviour of the Ising model, and describe the critical phenomena associated with second-order phase transitions.
• understand the basic mechanism of magnetism in solids.
• use the Ginzburg-Landau theory for describing type I and type II superconductors.

Syllabus (tentative)

Assumed previous knowledge:
Chapter 1 (1. edition: p. 3–13)(2. edition: p.3–14): The idea of Crystals.
Chapter 2 (17–32)(17–32): Three-Dimensional Lattices.
Chapter 3 (43–65)(43–65): Experimental Determination of Crystal Structures. 

1st week: (31. Jan., 1., 4. Febr.): "Electrons"
Chapter 6 (135–150)(155–171): The Single-Electron Model.
Chapter 7 (155–166)(175–189): The Schrödinger Equation.
Chapter 8 (185–198)(207–218, 222–227): Nearly Free and Tightly Bound Electrons.

2nd week: (7., 8., 11. Febr.): "Phonons"
Chapter 11 (263–270, 272–277)(295–302, 305–309): Cohesion of Solids.
Chapter 13 (305–311, 313–323)(341–349, 351–361): Phonons.

3rd week: (14., 15., 18. Febr.): "Ordering"
Chapter 24 (678–698)(730–750): Classical Theories of Magnetism and Ordering.

4th week: (21., 22., 25. Febr.): "Magnetism"
Chapter 25 (707–719)(759–771): Magnetism of Ions and Electrons.
Chapter 26 (745–759)(797–813): Quantum Mechanics of Interacting Magnetic Moments.

5th week: (7., 8., 11. March): "Transport Phenomena"
Chapter 16 (413–419, 429)(453–459, 469): Dynamics of Bloch Electrons.
Chapter 17 (443–448, 451–456, 459–461)(483–485, 487–489, 492–497, 500–502): Transport Phenomena.

6th week: (14., 15., 18. March): "Superconductivity"
Chapter 27 (783–785, 788–800)(839–841, 844–856): Superconductivity.

7th week: (21., 22., 25. March): "to be announced".

1. week: 6.3, 6.4, 6.5, 7.1, 7.3
2. week: HS.1, 11.2
3. week: 24.4, 24.6
4. week: 25.2, 25.4, 26.2, [26.4], HS.4
5. week: 17.4, 17.5, 17.8, [17.9] (2. ed.: 17.5, 17.6, 17.9, [17.10]) and HS.3
6. week: 27.1, 27.2, 27.3
7. week: to be announced

Examination:

The  examination is going to consist of two parts. A half-an-hour lecture on a given topic in the "8th" week of the course (1. April) and a two-hours written examination in the "9th" week (8. April, notes and  books are allowed). 

The lecture and the written exam are going to be weighted equally in the total grade (in-house censor, 7-step-scale).