What is Solid State Physics Reminder of the
- Slides: 11
What is “Solid State Physics”? ?
Reminder of the Course Objective • To expose students to the rich, broad, varied field of SOLID STATE PHYSICS • This ISN'T a semiconductor physics course!! • A semiconductor course is Physics 5335, Semiconductor Physics Offered in the fall of even numbered years. • Solid State Physics is about many different kinds of solids. Semiconductors are a special category. We'll discuss the microscopic physics of mostly, CRYSTALLINE solids, including metals, insulators, & semiconductors. • This course is complementary to, but it ISN'T a replacement for Physics 5335!!
Decreasing Size The Structure of Physics Increasing Speed Large Size >> Atomic Size Small Size < ~ Atomic Size Low Speed High Speed v << c Classical Mechanics v<~c Special Relativity (Newton, Hamilton, Lagrange) (Einstein) Quantum Mechanics Relativistic Quantum (Schrodinger, Heisenberg) Mechanics (Dirac) Atomic Physics Quantum Field Quantum Theory Electrodynamics Molecular (Chemical) Physics Solid State Physics Nuclear & Particle Physics (Gluons, Quarks, Leptons, Strong Nuclear Force) Quantum Chromodynamics Feynman, Schwinger, Gell-Mann (Photon) (Weak Nuclear Force)
Decreasing Size The Structure of Physics Increasing Speed Large Size >> Atomic Size Small Size < ~ Atomic Size In this course, our focus will be here! Low Speed High Speed v << c Classical Mechanics v<~c Special Relativity (Newton, Hamilton, Lagrange) (Einstein) Quantum Mechanics Relativistic Quantum (Schrodinger, Heisenberg) Mechanics (Dirac) Atomic Physics Quantum Field Quantum Theory Electrodynamics Molecular (Chemical) Physics Solid State Physics Nuclear & Particle Physics (Gluons, Quarks, Leptons, Strong Nuclear Force) Quantum Chromodynamics Feynman, Schwinger, Gell-Mann (Photon) (Weak Nuclear Force)
What is “Solid State Physics”? • “Solid State Physics” can be ~ defined as the study of the microscopic properties of the dense assembly of electrons formed by placing atoms very close together in a solid. – It is a very large, very broad physics sub-field. • In some sense, Solid State Physics is “the opposite” of Particle Physics focuses on properties of INDIVIDUAL particles. – Particle physicists break composite objects up into constituent building blocks. • Solid State Physics deals with the microscopic properties of large COLLECTIONS of particles. – Solid State physicists are interested in what fundamentally NEW PROPERTIES emerge when these building blocks are grouped together in various ways.
Motivations for the Study of Solid State Physics • Technological & Basic Physics motivations to study Solid State Physics. Technological Motivations • A very important motivation is that the microscopic properties Solid State Physics deals with are responsible for the majority of modern technology. – These properties determine the mechanical strength of materials, how they interact with light, how they conduct electricity, etc. – So, Solid State Physics is important for technology, because it gives guidance on the design of circuits needed for modern electronic devices. This field gave us the transistor & the semiconductor chip! – So, Solid State Physics is traditionally linked to materials science, chemistry & engineering. – Recently, it has developed overlaps with biology, biochemistry, biotechnology & medicine. – So, many current research questions in Solid State Physics are still at the frontiers of applied science & next-generation technologies.
Basic Physics Motivations • A very important motivation to study Solid State Physics is that the fundamental physics needed to understand the microscopic properties of solids is very interesting. – To understand these properties, the ideas & methods of quantum mechanics must be used. The physics of solids is VERY deeply quantum mechanical. – Solid State Physics has sometimes been called the best “laboratory” for studying subtle quantum mechanical effects. – This course may be a first chance for students to see quantum mechanical ideas & methods applied to cases where their technological consequences are so important.
• 2 examples (of MANY!) in which Solid State Physics discoveries have revealed very interesting, fundamental physics are the observations/explanations of 1. Superconductivity 2. The Fractional Quantum Hall Effect • Both have exotic quantum mechanical explanations. • A very strong indicator that Solid State Physics has led (& continues to lead!) to the understanding of many very interesting basic physics phenomena is the fact that: More than 40% of Physics Nobel Prizes in the past 40 years & 50% of those in the past 10 years have been for work in Solid State Physics!!!!
The Solid State Physics Research Area • Many of you are likely taking this course because it is related to your research area. If so, you've chosen a very good, interesting field! LARGE quantities of new physics is discovered in this area all of the time. • For example, the American Physical Society's (APS) Division of Condensed Matter Physics or DCMP ("Condensed Matter" is ~ the same as “Solid State”) is, BY FAR, the largest APS division! ~(1/3) of the ~ 50, 000 APS members belong to the DCMP. • Another APS division is the Division of Materials Physics or DMP (“Materials Physics” is ~ the same as “Applied Solid State”), which started 12 -15 years ago. The DMP is rapidly growing & may eventually become similar in size to the DCMP. (Many people belong to both!). • BY FAR, the largest annual APS meeting is the joint DCMP & DMP meeting. It is held each March (it's called the “March Meeting” !). • 2013 March Meeting (Baltimore, MD): ~7, 000+ people & ~5, 000+ papers!
The APS No matter what your research area is Every Physics Graduate Student, + every undergrad who wants to go to graduate school! should join the APS!! • The first year's membership is FREE to students & the following student years are highly discounted!
The MRS Graduate students working in Solid State, Condensed Matter, or Materials Physics should also consider joining the Materials Research Society (MRS)! • The MRS is another large professional organization, but it has a very interdisciplinary membership. • This reflects the fact that people with many different backgrounds are doing various kinds of materials research. For example, it has members with backgrounds in Physics, in Chemistry, & in various types of Engineering.
- Define solid state physics
- Magnetism in solid state physics
- Philip hofmann solid state physics
- Philip hofmann solid state physics
- Scope of solid state physics
- Crystalline solid
- Solid state physics
- Solid state physics
- Drude model solid state physics
- Quantum number l meaning
- Solid state physics
- Simulations for solid state physics