MATERIAL PHYSICS WITH EXERSISES
- Overview
- Assessment methods
- Learning objectives
- Contents
- Bibliography
- Teaching methods
- Contacts/Info
Some acquaintance with electromagnetism and elements of quantum physics is required.
The exam is aimed at verifying the degree of knowledge of the basic elements of the Physics of matter; the ability to comprehend advanced texts in atomic, molecular, and solid state physics; the ability to solve problems of atomic and molecular structure and of classical and quantum statistical physics. Verification will take place through written tests followed by an interview.
At the end of the first module, the student will be given a written test (2 hours duration) in which he/she will have to solve a problem related to the topics presented in the course. In tackling the exercise, the ability to text comprehension and problem solving will be tested. The written test will be evaluated with a synthetic judgment that will make the student aware of the level acquired in such abilities. At the end of the second module, the student will have to complete a second written test, with the same structure, related to the second part of the program. Subsequently the student will have to pass an oral test in which he/she will expose one or more topics in the program of the second module. The oral test will also assess the communication skills. The overall vote will be determined on the basis of the outcome of the two written and the oral tests. At the student's request, a single written test may be organized on the whole program, followed by oral examination.
An introduction to the structure of matter is presented: from the atomic structure to molecules and solids. The basic mechanisms leading to aggregation of matter are presented, with special attention to the main experimental techniques devised to investigate these issues and to the statistical description of macroscopic systems.
The knowledge acquired in Physics should also result in the following abilities:
1) the ability to reduce a complex problem in its essential elements and then formalize them mathematically.
2) the ability to identify the most appropriate experimental probes to investigate a given physical property.
First module:
1) Elements of equilibrium, classical statistical physics and kinetic theories. Ergodicity hypothesis. Theory of representative ensembles. Equipartition theorem. Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution. Collisions, cross sections and mean free path. Transport coefficients in gases. Brownian motion (12 h).
2) Interaction of radiation with matter in classical physics. Elements of quantum mechanics: angular momentum, Hydrogen atom (8 h).
3) Absorption and emission of radiation, Fermi golden rule. Einstein coefficients. Zeeman effect. Electron spin. Relativistic effects: spin-orbit interaction. Fine structure of the emission lines. Lamb shift. Anomalous Zeeman effect (10 h).
4) Atomic structure. Helium atom. Self consistent field. The periodic table of elements. Pauli principle. Shell model. Spin orbit interaction. Hund rules. Zeeman effect.
Second module
1) Molecular structure in diatomic molecules. Born-Oppenheimer approximation. Hydrogen molecular ion. Parity. Molecular orbitals. Hydrogen molecule. Covalent and ionic bond, Heitler-London approximation.
Examples of ionic bond. Van der Waals forces. Rotational and vibrational motions. Emission and adsorption spectra. Franck-Condon principle. Polyatomic molecules: hybridization (14 h).
2) Quantum statistics and applications. Maxwell—Boltzmann, Bose-Einstein, Fermi--Dirac. Classical limit. Equilibrium between matter and radiation: photons. Bose-Einstein condensation. Electron gas. Specific heat of solids: phonons (14 h).
3) Elements of solid state physics. Structure of crystals. Periodic lattices. X-ray scattering in crystals. Conduction in metals: Drude-Sommerfeld model. Band structure and Bloch theorem: metals, insulators and semiconductors (12 h).
The student will find useful material in the following books:
F. Reif: Fundamentals of Statistical and Thermal Physics
B.H. Bransden, C.J. Joachain: Physics of Atoms and Molecules
N.W. Ashcroft, N.D. Mermin: Solid state physics
A useful rather comprehensive textbook is also:
N. Manini: Introduction to the Physics of Matter: Basic Atomic, Molecular, and Solid-state Physics
Other less advanced books are also available:
R.M. Eisberg, R. Resnick: Quantum Physics of Atoms, Molecules, Solids, Nuclei, and Particles
J.J. Brehm, W.J. Mullins: Introduction to the Structure of Matter: A Course in Modern Physics
The course's learning objectives will be achieved through 40-hour frontal lessons in each of the two modules, including exercises in which the students will use the acquired knowledge for the solution of problems. So the student will be able to verify the acquired skills.
Receiving students by appointment. Please, send an e-mail to the teacher:
alberto.parola@uninsubria.it
Modules
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Credits: 5
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Credits: 5