Condensed Matter Physics 2

The course "Condensed Matter Physics 2: Electronic Properties" is intended for students interested in solid state physics.

In the continuity of the course "Condensed Matter Physics 1: structural properties" this course deals with the properties of electrons in crystalline solids, the band structure of electronic levels and the basic concepts of semiconductor physics.

The objective of this course is to show how the structural properties of translation invariance determine the properties of electrons in crystalline solids. From Bloch's theorem, the general characteristics of the electron levels in solids (band structure, insulator/semiconductor/metal) are deduced. After the presentation of two models (almost free electrons and strong bonds), the UE specializes on semiconductors and the basic concepts necessary to understand the physics in these key materials for information technologies.

Teaching of quantum mechanics in Bachelor's degree and solid state physics (structural properties of condensed matter) in Master's degree.

Recommended Prerequisites:

Introductory courses in quantum physics in crystalline solids.

Continuous control

- Reminders on the crystal structure (direct Bravais lattice, reciprocal lattice, first Brillouin zone).

- Bloch states (translation operator, Bloch theorem, Born-Von Karman boundary conditions, energy bands, Fermi level).

- Free electrons (restricted area representation, density of states, Fermi surface).

- Almost free electrons: a qualitative study.

- Periodic potential: first order study in perturbation (degeneracy of the undisturbed energy, dispersion relation, energy discontinuities, equal energy surfaces).

- Strong bond model.

- Semiconductors (chemical composition and band structure, effective mass, hole, impurities).