Electronic and optical properties

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

Hourly volumes:

            CM: 11 a.m.

            TD: 9 a.m.

The objective is to provide a solid foundation of skills for:

1) understanding the various phenomena governing electronic and optical properties

2) knowledge of the electronic structure of solids (insulators, semiconductors, and metals)

3) the basic operation of semiconductors.

4) the relationship between structure and optical properties of materials

5) the link between electronic structure and transport coefficients

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

Classical thermodynamics

Terminal control (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 Schrödinger's equation and the free electron

-Electronic description of metals (Fermi gas)

-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: electron state densities

-N-doped and p-doped semiconductors: mass action law

-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., pigment colors in art history)

-Rare Earths and Spin/Orbit

-Metals

-Luminescence: application to LEDs

Administrative contact(s):

Master's Program in Chemistry Secretariat

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