Physics 8992 - Condensed Matter (Solid State) Physics (Aliev)

Text

Gert Strobl, Condensed Matter Physics, Springer, 2004.

Bibliographical resources

P.M. Chaikin, T.C. Lubensky. Principles of Condensed Mater Physics. Cambridge University Press, 1995.

Description

This is an advanced course on selected subjects of solid-state physics based upon the interests and needs of the students. In this course the student will cover an advanced subject that is not covered in a regular course but of the interest of the student in the area of solid-state physics.

Grading

Standard A to F grading system

Evaluation

To be defined by the professor in agreement with the student

(Week 1): What is condensed matter? Solids, liquids, liquid crystals, polymers.
(Week 2): Order, disorder and partial order in condensed matter. Long and short range order.
(Week 3): Methods of investigation of structure of materials: scattering methods.
(Week 4): What information can be obtained from X-rays scattering experiment in solids and liquids?
(Week 5): How to describe short range order in liquids
(Week 6): Order parameter and its temperature dependence
(Week 7): Phase transitions: first and second order transitions
(Week 8): Critical exponents and amplitudes
(Week 9): The Landau theory of the second order phase transitions
(Week 10): Fluctuations and dimensionality
(Week 11): Hypothesis of universality and class of universality
(Week 12): Liquid crystals (types, order, structure and order parameters).
(Week 13): Basics of physical properties of liquid crystals in relation to their applications.
(Week 14): Polymers
(Week 15): Basics of relaxation processes in liquid crystals and polymers.
(Week 16): Basics of glass transitions
(Week 17): Glass forming liquids