Last Update: 12/13/01

Info This Week

12/18  A solution to the final exam is here.

12/13  HW#8 solutions are here.

12/12  The comprehensive final exam is Tuesday December 18 at 8:30 am.  The format will be similar to the midterm, including quantitative problems (e.g. calculate something), qualitative problems (e.g. sketch and explain) and short answers (e.g. definitions).

12/12  Term papers are due Friday 12/14 by 5 pm in room B433 or Prof. Olmstead's mailbox in the department office.

12/12  Review session will be held Friday 12/14 at 9:30 am in room B439 (conference room on fourth floor of PAB)

12/6  HW #7 solutions are here.

12/5  HW #8 (Ch. 19) is here.

11/28  HW #7 (ch 8/9) will be due Wednesday, Dec. 3.  There will be one more assignment after that, due Monday Dec. 10, on semiconductor devices and nanostructures.  The last week on Magnetism and superconductivity will have some optional problems.

11/27    Solutions to HW #6 are here.

11/26  HW assignment #7 (Chapter 8/9) is here.

11/26   Solutions to HW #5 are here.  HW 6 solutions will be posted Tuesday.

11/16  HW assignment #6 (Chapter 7) is here.  Please also submit paper topics (see here).

11/13  Midterm solutions are here.  I apologize for the delay, but could not upload them over the weekend.

11/09  Information on Term Papers (including possible topics, deadlines, and grading criteria) is here.

11/09  HW assignment #5 (Chapter 6) is posted here

11/02  Solutions to HW #4 are here.

10/30    A copy of an old midterm is here.   The structure of the exam on November 7 will be the same as this one:  1 problem on Chapters 1-3 (structure and diffraction), 1 problem on phonons (Ch. 4-5), plus short answers (choosing from a set of possibilities) on all the material.  The midterm will cover all of Chapters 1-5 EXCEPT for the section on thermal conductivity.  It will probe basic concepts and not obscure facts.  Scores on the old exam ranged from 45-75.  I aim to make this years' midterm easier and/or shorter.

10/30    There is no HW due on November 9 due to the midterm on November 7.

10/30    Solutions to HW #3 are here.

10/24    HW assignment #4 is posted here

10/24    The midterm will be on Wednesday, November 7.  It will cover chapters 1-5 and HW 1-4.

10/24    Solutions fo HW #2 are here.

10/19    In Chapter 4, class will cover concepts and extra things not in the text.  Read the text for the algebra of finding phonon dispersions.

10/19    The third HW set is posted here.

10/18    Solutions to HW one are posted here.

10/10    The second HW set is now posted as a pdf file.

10/10  There is a typo in first HW set -- the large BaTiO₃dielectric constant is in the poling direction, not perpendicular to it.  It is not relevant to the problem, but useful information.

• 10/03    The first homework set is now posted as a pdf file.  If this is not a viable method for your getting the assignment, please send me Email
• 10/3    The room conflict has been solved.  We will be in PAB B109 for all lectures.  Please try to sit in the center of the room to facilitate being able to see the board.
• 9/24    The First Day Handout and Tentative Lecture Schedule are now posted.
• 9/17    Please fill out this SURVEY if you plan to attend this class for either credit or audit.

General Information

• Physics 423 is appropriate for senior physics students as well as graduate students in physics, chemistry, materials science or electrical engineering who are interested in the material.
• This course is an elective in the Nanotechnology Ph.D. program, and as such the examples will be taken primarily from systems relevant for nanotechnology.
• Physics graduate students planning on taking the Theory of Solid State course in W02/Sp02 should take or audit Physics 423 this fall if they have not already had an equivalent course.

Homework

Time

• Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 9:30-10:20 am
• Autumn Quarter 2001

Place

• Room B109 Physics-Astronomy Building
• Department of Physics, University of Washington

Instructor

 

Prof. Marjorie A. Olmstead	Office hours: MW 10:30- 11:30 and By Appointment
Physics	Physics-Astronomy Bldg. B-433
685-3031	e-mail: Course Email Account: ph122mo@u.washington.edu not course related: olmstead@phys.washington.edu
T.A. Jonathan Adams	Office hour: 3:30-4:30  Thursdays and By Appointment
Physics	B049 Physics-Astronomy Bldg.
543-7351	e-mail: jadams@u.washington.edu

Text

• Introduction to Solid State Physics

... by Charles Kittel (7th Edition, Wiley, 1996)
• Info on the text may be obtained from Wiley
• We will only cover the first half of this text.

Course Goals

• This course is an experimentalist's view of solid state theory and properties. It includes the basic physics behind measured properties, as well as behind the measurements themselves.
• This course will also help consolidate knowledge obtained in undergraduate courses on quantum mechanics, statistical mechanics, fourier analysis, classical mechanics and electrodynamics
• Whenever appropriate, examples relevant to nanotechnology will be included.

Course Topics

Grading

• 20% = Homework (about 8 assignments)
• 20% = Midterm
• 20% = Short paper
• 40% = Final Exam

Suggested Prerequisites

• Physics 324 (Quantum Mechanics) and Physics 321-2 (Electricity and Magnetism)
• Physics 328 (Statistical Mechanics) is useful, but not required.
• There will be extensive use of Fourier analysis and complex numbers.
• For non-physicists:  Physical Chemistry can substitute for QM and E&M.  The basic requirement is a working knowledge of Schroedinger's equation.

Other Links

• First Day Handout: Information on text, grading, etc.
• Tentative Lecture Schedule
• Miscellaneous Announcements (where "info this week" hints end up)
• Simulations for Solid State Physics:an Interactive Resource for Students and Teachers, by Prof. Silsbee at Cornell.

Interactive Software for Simulating Ideas in this Course. There are several modules, including X-ray scattering and Reciprocal Lattice, X-ray scattering (with form factors) in 1 dimension, Lattice Dynamics of a 1-D chain (relevant for phonons), Phonon spectra and heat capacity, , Free electron gas dynamics, Band structure, transport of electron in a band

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