Electronic and optical properties

The electronic and optical properties of solids are at the heart of many applications in the field of energy (photovoltaic panels, passive coolants...), light production (white diodes, lasers...), electronics (components, microprocessors...). After an introduction to these different fields of application, this course aims to define the different concepts necessary to master both the electronic and optical properties of materials, which are essential for understanding the most modern technologies.

Hourly volumes* :

            CM : 11H

            TD : 9H

The goal is to provide a solid foundation of skills to:

1) the understanding of the different phenomena governing the electronic and optical properties

2) knowledge of the electronic structure of solids (insulator, semiconductor and metals)

3) the basic operation of semiconductors.

4) the link between structure and optical properties of materials

5) the link between electronic structure and transport coefficients

Differential calculus. Knowledge of crystallography, basics of quantum mechanics.

Classical thermodynamics

Final test (1)

1) Electronic properties (5,5 CM - 4,5 TD)

A )Introduction/Drude's semi-classical model

1. B) The electron quantum particle: electronic structure

-Reminder of the Schrödinger equation and the free electron

-Electronic description of metals (Fermi gas)

-The reciprocal space

-Fermi-Dirac statistics (introduction of temperature)

-Link between electronic structure and transport properties

1. C) Extension to the electronic structure of semiconductors

-Intrinsic semiconductors: densities of electronic states

-n" and "p" doped semiconductors: law of mass action

-Influence of temperature on the electronic properties of semiconductors

2) Optical properties (5,5 CM - 4,5 TD)

1. A) The electromagnetic spectrum; concept of color; black body
2. B) Light matter interaction: dispersion, refraction, diffusion

-white

-Physical color/nanomaterials: coherent light scattering

-Cooling pigments

-Polarization and liquid crystals (application to displays)

1. C) Light matter interaction: electronic excitation

-Fermi's golden rule

-Electron in a box : application to F centers

-Atomic excitation (e.g. sodium lamp)

-The field of ligands (e.g.: color of pigments in the history of art)

-Rare earths and spin/orbit

-The metals

-Luminescence : application to LEDs

Administrative contact(s):

Secretariat Master Chemistry

https://master-chimie.edu.umontpellier.fr/