PHYS531 SOLID STATE THEORY I
| Course Code: | 2300531 |
| METU Credit (Theoretical-Laboratory hours/week): | 3 (3.00 - 0.00) |
| ECTS Credit: | 8.0 |
| Department: | Physics |
| Language of Instruction: | English |
| Level of Study: | Graduate |
| Course Coordinator: | Assist.Prof.Dr AHMET KELEŞ |
| Offered Semester: | Fall or Spring Semesters. |
Course Objectives
This course aims to develop a comprehensive understanding of the microscopic origins of lattice and electronic properties in solids. Students will study lattice vibrations and phonons, explore lattice Green’s functions and local modes, and analyze how these affect the dynamical behavior of crystals. The course introduces the theory of electron energy bands and density of states calculations, providing the foundation for understanding the electronic structure of materials. Applications to the optical and transport properties of solids will be emphasized, bridging fundamental theory with experimentally observable phenomena in condensed matter physics.
Course Content
Lattice vibrations (phonons), lattice Green s functions, local modes, electron energy bands, density of states calculations, optical properties of solids, transport properties.
Course Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Explain the concept of lattice vibrations and phonons, and their role in solid-state physics.
- Apply lattice Green’s functions to analyze vibrational and electronic properties of crystals.
- Identify and interpret local modes in crystals and their impact on material behavior.
- Describe and analyze electron energy bands and perform density of states (DOS) calculations.
- Relate the electronic structure of solids to their optical properties, including absorption and dispersion.
- Evaluate transport properties such as electrical and thermal conductivity within microscopic models.
- Integrate knowledge of lattice dynamics and electronic band theory to explain key experimental observations in condensed matter systems.
Program Outcomes Matrix
| Level of Contribution | |||||
| # | Program Outcomes | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 1 | They are competent in the fundamentals of Physics and in the subfield of their thesis work. | ✔ | |||
| 2 | They have necessary skills (literature search, experiment design, project design, etc.) for doing research with guidance of a more experienced researcher. | ✔ | |||
| 3 | They can communicate research results in a proper format (journal article, conference presentation, project report etc.) | ✔ | |||
| 4 | They can learn necessary skills and techniques (theoretical, experimental, computational etc.) on their own. | ✔ | |||
| 5 | They have necessary skills to work as team member in a research group. | ✔ | |||
0: No Contribution 1: Little Contribution 2: Partial Contribution 3: Full Contribution