AEP 4500 Introductory Solid State Physics (also PHYS 4454)
Fall. 4 credits. Highly recommended: some exposure to quantum mechanics at level of PHYS 4443, AEP 3620, or CHEM 7930. Staff.
Introduction the physics of crystalline solids. Covers crystal structures; electronic states; lattice vibrations; and metals, insulators, and semiconductors. Computer simulations of the dynamics of electrons and ions in solids. Covers optical properties, magnetism, and superconductivity as time allows. The majority of the course addresses the foundations of the subject, but time is devoted to modern and/or technologically important topics such as quantum size effects. At the level of Introduction to Solid State Physics by Kittel or Solid State Physics by Ashcroft and Mermun.