2021 Faculty Courses School of Science Undergraduate major in Physics
Basic Solid State Physics
- Academic unit or major
- Undergraduate major in Physics
- Instructor(s)
- Takuya Satoh
- Class Format
- Lecture
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 1-2 Tue (H114) / 1-2 Fri (H114)
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- PHY.C340
- Number of credits
- 200
- Course offered
- 2021
- Offered quarter
- 3Q
- Syllabus updated
- Jul 10, 2025
- Language
- Japanese
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
Topics of this course include (1) basics of crystal structures, (2) classification of the Bravais lattice, (3) reciprocal lattice, (4) classification of crystals in terms of the formation mechanisms, (5) lattice vibrations (phonons), (6) electronic states in crystals and their band structure, (7) fundamental properties of metals and semiconductors.
Through this course, students will understand basic properties of crystals based on quantum mechanics, and how they correspond to experiments.
Course description and aims
Through this course, students will be able to (1) calculate various properties (including translation vectors and reciprocal vectors) for a given crystal structure, (2) explain various crystals in terms of the formation mechanisms (such as ionic and covalent crystals), (3) explain basic properties of electronic band structures in crystals, (4) explain basic optical properties of solids.
Keywords
translation vector, unit cell, Bravais lattice, reciprocal vector, Brillouin zone, phonon, metal, insulator, band structure, semiconductor
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
At the end of some classes, small tests will be given to test comprehension. Preparation and review for each class are recommended.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Crystal structure |
Explanation on crystal structure |
| Class 2 | Reciprocal lattice |
Explanation on reciprocal lattice |
| Class 3 | Reciprocal lattice |
Explanation on reciprocal lattice |
| Class 4 | Bonds in solids |
Explanation on bonds in solids |
| Class 5 | Lattice vibration and phonons |
Explanation on lattice vibration and phonons |
| Class 6 | Thermal properties of solids |
Explanation on thermal properties of solids |
| Class 7 | Free electron theory |
Explanation on free electron theory |
| Class 8 | Band theory |
Explanation on band theory |
| Class 9 | Band theory |
Explanation on band theory |
| Class 10 | Electrical conduction in solids |
Explanation on electrical conduction in solids |
| Class 11 | Optical properties of solids (Maxwell's equations in matter) |
Explanation on optical properties of solids (Maxwell's equations in matter) |
| Class 12 | Optical properties of solids (electric polarization) |
Explanation on optical properties of solids (electric polarization) |
| Class 13 | Optical properties of solids (conductor) |
Explanation on optical properties of solids (conductor) |
| Class 14 | Optical properties of solids (semiconductor) |
Explanation on optical properties of solids (semiconductor) |
Study advice (preparation and review)
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.
Textbook(s)
Textbooks, if any, will be given in the class.
Reference books, course materials, etc.
References and course materials, if any, will be given in the class.
Evaluation methods and criteria
examination and reports
Related courses
- PHY.Q207 ： Introduction to Quantum Mechanics
- PHY.S301 ： Statistical Mechanics
- PHY.E205 ： Electromagnetism
Prerequisites
Basic knowledge on electromagnetism, statistical physics, and quantum mechanics