PHYS 403 SOLID STATE PHYSICS

Semester: Spring 2023

Instructor: Ali Serpengüzel | SCI 119

Assistant: Hamideh Gharib Masouleh | SCI 130

Science Librarian: Ebru Çınar | LIB 222

Course subjects : Introduction, Crystal Structure, Reciprocal Lattice, X-ray scattering, Crystal Binding, Lattice Vibrations, Free Electron Theory, Electron Energy Band Theory, Semiconductors, Fermi Surfaces, Plasmons, Polaritons, Polarons.

Course Description: This is an introductory course in solid state physics, which lies in the foundation of modern semiconductor electronic device physics, as well as the more recent photonic device physics.

Course Objective: The objective of this course is to teach the importance of solid state physics as well as the experimental know how that goes along with it. Solid state physics lies at the very foundation of the state-of-the-art semiconductor devices, and every student of physics should master it before graduation. An introduction is given to solid state topics such as crystal structure in the real space, the reciprocal space, phononic, and electronic dispersion diagrams. The students will also learn written and oral presentation skills.

Learning Outcomes: The students are expected to learn relevant topics in solid state physics. They will also learn how to make effective presentations by presenting a topic of their choice on a related topic verbally and orally.

Teaching Method:  There are two weekly online or in person meetings. There is a problem session every week.

Project Report and Presentation: Each student will choose a different crystal to report and present. You will study this crystal’s literature on experimental analytical methods such as x-ray scattering, infrared absorption, photoluminescence, and Raman scattering. You will compile and present your results with the existing crystallographic data. You will find historic information about the crystal (i.e., who found it, named it). You will find out where in the world this crystal is mined, as well as the existence of this crystal in Türkiye. Your presentation should consist of approximately 15 slides. As you will have 15 minutes, design your talk so that you will talk around one minute per page. You should spend a reasonable amount of time for preparing your presentation. All students taking this course are expected to participate in all of the presentations. Discuss your report and presentation with your instructor. He will give you tips on how to prepare a good reports and presentations. Your report should be in the scientific format. It should include an introduction, and sections on measurements, analysis, discussion, conclusion, as well as references.

Grading policy: Two midterm exams (25 % each), one final exam (25%), and presentation and report on a selected crystal (25%). The dates of the exams will be announced later. Makeup exams are very reluctantly given only with a university approved medical excuse, and if given, will always be harder then the original exams. Do not plan to take makeup exams.

Grading policy for the report and presentation: Careful literature search, excellent presentation, completely being able to answer questions are necessary, but not sufficient conditions for the presentation. 10 steps to successful presentations are given under the presentation resources. You will submit your presentation and related report by the end of the term to the course instructor. There will be an instant 100% reduction for late presentations and related reports, i.e., late presentations and related reports will not be accepted.

Recommended Book: Introduction to Solid State Physics, 8th Edition, Charles Kittel, University of California, Berkeley (2005)

Recommended Book: Fundamentals of Solid State Engineering, 3rd Edition, Manijeh Razeghi, Northwestern University, Illinois (2009) (e-book through the library)

Recommended Book: Solid State Physics, Neil W. Ashcroft and David Mermin, International Thomson Publishing (1976)

Laboratory Note Book: The Laboratory Notebook is available at the bookstore. Every student should have one square ruled A4 size laboratory note book. Bring your laboratory note book to all the labor sessions. You will record with a pen (not a pencil) the schematics, the relevant parameters, your measurements in your laboratory note book. You will have to date all the pages in the lab note book during that particular session.

Student Code of Conduct: Students should be familiar with the Koç University Student Code of Conduct.