PHY 305: Solid State Physics

Credit Hours: 3:00 (Level-3, Term-1, ChE)

Free Electron Theory: Free electron theory of metals, density of states, Fermi-Energy, Explanation of electrical and thermal conductivity, specific heat, transport phenomena.

Band Theory of Solid: Crystal periodicity and Bloch function, Nearly free electron approximation. Tight binding approximation, Band gap, E-K curve. Distinction of metal, insulators and semiconductors.

Semiconductors: Intrinsic and Extrinsic semiconductors. Transport property of semiconductors. Frequency dependent conductivity. Contact phenomena, p-n junction. p-n-p and n-p-n type semiconductor junctions and their characteristic properties.

Superconductivity: Meissner effect. London’s theory. Type-I and Type-II superconductors. Thermodynamics  of superconducting transitions. Coopers pair. BCS theory. High T_c superconductors.

Magnetism: Different types of magnetic materials. Para, Ferro-Ferri- and antiferro-magnetic materials. Weiss theory of ferro-magnetism. Exchange energy. Neel’s theory of antiferromagnetism. Domains and Domain wall’s, Magnetic anisotropy. Magnetostriction.