Key information
- Faculty
- Faculty of Mathematical and Physical Sciences
- Teaching department
- Physics and Astronomy
- Credit value
- 15
- Restrictions
-
PHAS0041 "Solid State Physics", or an equivalent from another Department.
Before taking the course, students should, for example:
鈥� be familiar with the description of crystal structures using concepts such as the Bravais lattice, primitive and conventional unit cells, the Wigner-Seitz cell, reciprocal space and Brillouin zone;
鈥� understand basic crystal structures, including FCC, HCP, BCC, tetragonal, NaCl, diamond, zinc blende (ZnS) and perovskite, and the coordination number and coordination polyhedral;
鈥� understand the properties of isolated magnetic moments;
鈥� understand the origins of diamagnetism, paramagnetism and Pauli paramagnetism;
鈥� be able to derive the properties of spin-陆 paramagnetic salts including Curie's law, and the Pauli paramagnetic susceptibility of a simple metal;
鈥� understand the Weiss molecular field models of ferromagnetism and antiferromagnetism, including the significance of the Curie and N茅el temperatures, and the Curie-Weiss law;
鈥� understand the excitation phonon spectrum of the 1-D linear monatomic and diatomic chain of atoms.
- Timetable
-
Alternative credit options
There are no alternative credit options available for this module.
Outline:
PHAS0075 develops a fundamental appreciation of the diversity of ordering phenomena that occurs in condensed matter systems including contemporary quantum materials. This is achieved through a detailed understanding of broken symmetries and phase transitions in condensed matter, and developed through to a phenomenological description of the way symmetry and order crucially determine the properties of condensed phases. The module will also show how such principles, developed largely in the context of condensed matter, can be found across many areas of modern physics.
Aims:
- To provide an understanding of a diverse range of ordering phenomena in condensed matter that occur due to symmetry breaking phase transitions, and to explain the role that order plays in determining the properties of condensed phases including solids, liquids, and magnetic phases.
- To demonstrate the beautiful link between symmetry, order, and materials properties and functionality, and show how principles of symmetry are foundational to modern phenomenological theories of condensed matter.
- To provide an understanding of state-of-the-art X-ray and neutron scattering techniques used to characterise phase transitions and determine ordered structures in solids and liquids.
Teaching and Learning Methodology:
This module is delivered via weekly lectures supplemented by additional discussion.
In addition to timetabled lectures, it is expected that students engage in self-study in order to master the material. This can take the form, for example, of practicing example questions and further reading in textbooks and online.
Indicative Topics:
Symmetry in the solid state; Magnetism; Ferroelectricity; Phase transitions; Landau Theory; Phonons and Magnons; Scattering theory and experiment.
Module deliveries for 2024/25 academic year
Intended teaching term:
Term 2 听听听
Postgraduate (FHEQ Level 7)
Teaching and assessment
- Mode of study
- In person
- Methods of assessment
-
90%
Exam
10%
Coursework
- Mark scheme
-
Numeric Marks
Other information
- Number of students on module in previous year
-
7
- Module leader
-
Dr Roger Johnson
- Who to contact for more information
- roger.johnson@ucl.ac.uk
Intended teaching term:
Term 2 听听听
Undergraduate (FHEQ Level 7)
Teaching and assessment
- Mode of study
- In person
- Methods of assessment
-
90%
Exam
10%
Coursework
- Mark scheme
-
Numeric Marks
Other information
- Number of students on module in previous year
-
10
- Module leader
-
Dr Roger Johnson
- Who to contact for more information
- roger.johnson@ucl.ac.uk
Last updated
This module description was last updated on 8th April 2024.
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