MS2018: Electronic & Magnetic Properties of Materials

Course Instructor

Professor Liu Zheng

Course AIMS

This is an introductory course on solid state physics for the second-year undergraduate students. The objective is to provide a theoretical framework for understanding the electrical, dielectric and magnetic properties of various materials. This course exp oses the students to theories relevant to the engineering principles of various materials and devices. The materials design of an electronic or magnetic device is based on the understanding of these basic concepts.

Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you (as a student) would be able to:

1. Describe the behaviours of an electron under classical theory of metals and derive the conductivity from Drude model. Analyse Hall effect and thermal conductivity based on the classical theory of metals.
2. Illustrate the wave -particle duality and be able to apply it to electrons;
3. Interpret Schrodinger equation and the physical meaning of each terms in Schrodinger equation. Apply Schrodinger equation to describe the behaviours of an electron at 1-D inf inite potential well.
4. Analyse the atomic structure, electron filling at different atom shells. Estimate the physical/chemical properties of different elements based on the electron configuration at the shells.
5. Clarify the concepts of energy state, Fermi level, effective mass, E-k Relationship and band gap. Derive these values from Sommerfeld theory of metals.
6. Differentiate the intrinsic, n- and p-type semiconductor. Deduce the semiconductor parameters e.g. carrier concentration, dopant level an d conductivity of intrinsic and extrinsic semiconductors with different dopants.
7. Differentiate Ohmic and Schottky contacts. Illustrate the band diagrams of PN junctions and MOSFET. Derive a few key parameters such as current density and depletion region length.
8. Describe the polarization, relative permittivity, dielectric constant and loss, strength in dielectric materials.Compare insulation and describe dielectric response.
9. Deduce the electronic dipoles in dielectric materials. Apply Gauss’ Law  to describe the dielectric breakdown. Clarify the nature of piezoelectricity, ferroelectricity and pyroelectricity.
10. Interpret the origin of magnetic properties. Differentiate different type of magnetic properties: diamagnetic, paramagnetic, ferromagne tism, antiferromagnetic and ferrimagnetic.
11. Clarify magnetizing field and magnetization. Illustrate magnetic domains and M vs H behaviour. Describe the potential applications of magnetic materials.
    

Course Content

Classical theory of metal; Introduction to quantum mechanics; Modern theory of metals; Semiconductors and semiconductor devices; Dielectric materials; Magnetism and magnetic materials.

Reading and References