Electronic and Optical Properties

The electronic and optical properties of solids are central to numerous applications in the fields of energy (photovoltaic panels, passive coolants, etc.), light generation (white LEDs, lasers, etc.), and electronics (components, microprocessors, etc.). Following an introduction to these various fields of application, this course unit aims to define the key concepts necessary for mastering both the electronic and optical properties of materials—properties that are essential for understanding the most advanced technologies.

Hourly volumes*:

            CM: 11: 00 a.m.

            TD: 9: 00 a.m.

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

1) an understanding of the various phenomena that govern electronic and optical properties

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

3) The basic operation of semiconductors.

4) The relationship between structure and the optical properties of materials

5) The relationship 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 as a Quantum Particle: Electronic Structure

-A Review of the Schrödinger Equation and the Free Electron

-Electronic description of metals (Fermi gas)

-Reciprocal Space

-Fermi-Dirac Statistics (Introduction to Temperature)

-Relationship between electronic structure and transport properties

1. C) Extension to the electronic structure of semiconductors

-Intrinsic semiconductors: electron state densities

-“n”-type and “p”-type doped semiconductors: the law of mass action

-The Effect of Temperature on the Electronic Properties of Semiconductors

2) Optical Properties (5.5 CM - 4.5 TD)

1. A) The electromagnetic spectrum; the concept of color; the blackbody
2. B) Light-Matter Interaction: Dispersion, Refraction, Diffusion

-white

-Physical Color/Nanomaterials: Coherent Light Scattering

-Cooling pigments

-Polarization and Liquid Crystals (Applications in 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., the color of pigments in art history)

-Rare Earth Elements and Spin-Orbit Interaction

-Metals

-Luminescence: Applications in LEDs

Administrative contact(s):

Master's in Chemistry Office

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