GC745 is a spring 2012 course on solid state physics taught by Professor Raymond Tung at Brooklyn College. The course covers basic concepts of solid state physics including crystal lattices, reciprocal lattices, x-ray diffraction, symmetry groups, structure determination, theories of metals and semiconductors, electron energy levels in periodic potentials, electron dynamics, and interacting electron systems. Grades are based on homework assignments (70%) and a final exam (30%). Topics are presented on Fridays from 2:35-5:35pm in room 4419, and course materials are available online.

1. GC745 Solid State Physics Spring 2012
Lectures: Friday 2:35 – 5:35 PM Room: 4419
Website: http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/physics/tung/GC745S12 contains all
the course materials, homework assignments, viewgraph sets,
announcements, etc.
Textbooks: Ashcroft and Mermin, Solid State Physics, Brooks/Cole, 1976.
(References) 1. A. Sutton, Electronic Structure of Materials, Oxford Univ.
Press, 1993. 2. W. Koch, M. Holthausen, A Chemist’s Guide to Density
Functional Theory, 2001.
Instructor: Prof. Raymond Tung, rtung@brooklyn.cuny.edu
Office Hour: GC 4320, by appointment. Brooklyn College: Ingersoll 1415
Phone 718-951-5807 Fax 951-4407
Grades: Grade is based on homework (70%) and final exam (30%).
Description:
GC745 is designed to provide the students with the basic concepts of solid state physics.
The topics to be discussed include crystal lattice, reciprocal lattice, x-ray diffraction,
symmetry groups, structure determination, Drude theory of metals, Sommerfeld theory of
metals, electron levels in periodic potential, nearly free electrons, tight binding method,
semiclassical model of electron dynamics, interacting electrons, surface effect, classical
and quantum theories of the harmonic crystal, dielectric properties of insulators,
semiconductors, p-n junction, etc. In addition, overviews on several topics of current and
practical interest in condensed-matter and materials physics will be selected, based on
students’ interest, and discussed, toward the end of the semester. Possibilities include
hetero-junctions, quantum wells; epitaxial growth, nanofabrication; mesoscopic transport;
ULSI devices, processing; ferroelectrics, non-volatile memories; spintronics, magnetic
materials; solar cells; solid state ionics, fuel cells, etc.
Lecture Plan (Tentative):
1/27, Drude Theory of Metal 2/3, Sommerfeld Theory
2/10, Crystal Lattice & Reciprocal Lattice 2/17, X-ray & Crystal Classif.
2/24, Bloch Thrm & Weak Periodic Pot. 3/2, Tight Binding & Other Methods
3/9, Semiclassical Electron Dynamics 3/16, Conduction in Metals
3/23, Electron Interaction, HF, DFT 3/30, Harmonic Crystal
4/6, no class 4/13, no class
4/20, Semiconductors 4/27, Inhomo. Semiconductors
5/4, Special Topic 5/11, Special Topic
5/18, Final Exam