Please note! Course description is confirmed for two academic years, which means that in general, e.g. Learning outcomes, assessment methods and key content stays unchanged. However, via course syllabus, it is possible to specify or change the course execution in each realization of the course, such as how the contact sessions are organized, assessment methods weighted or materials used.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

After the course, the student has understanding on the atomic and solid state structure and can solve basic problems on the topics listed in the Content.

Credits: 5

Schedule: 21.10.2024 - 05.12.2024

Teacher in charge (valid for whole curriculum period):

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Erkki Thuneberg

Contact information for the course (applies in this implementation):

CEFR level (valid for whole curriculum period):

Language of instruction and studies (applies in this implementation):

Teaching language: English. Languages of study attainment: English

CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD

Content
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Reminder of Schrödinger equation in 1 dimension and generalization to 3 dimensions

    Schrödinger equation applied to hydrogen atom: energy levels, angular momentum, electron spin

    Many-electron systems, justification for the periodic table of elements

    Atomic bonding, transitions in molecules

    Crystal structure of solids

    Lattice vibrations in solids, classical and quantum models and heat capacity.

    Electronic structure of solids, free electron model, electrons in a periodic potential, energy bands, semiclassical electron motion

    Metals: electrical conduction, superconductivity: phenomenology and pairing theory

    Semiconductors: intrinsic, n and p types, junctions and devices

    Electronic transitions in solids

Assessment Methods and Criteria
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Teaching methods: preliminary exercises, lectures, exercises, and exam.

    Assessment methods: preliminary exercises, exercises, and exam.

Workload
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    48 h contact teaching

    70 h self-study

DETAILS

Study Material
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    E. Thuneberg, lecture notes

    Young & Freedman, University Physics with Modern Physics, 15th edition, Pearson 2019. 

    S.H. Simon, The Oxford Solid State Basics.

Substitutes for Courses
Prerequisites

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further Information
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Teaching Language: English

    Teaching Period: 2024-2025 Autumn II
    2025-2026 Autumn II