2021 Faculty Courses School of Science Undergraduate major in Physics
Condensed Matter Physics I
- Academic unit or major
- Undergraduate major in Physics
- Instructor(s)
- Toru Hirahara / Masaki Uchida
- Class Format
- Lecture
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 3-4 Tue (H103) / 3-4 Fri (H103)
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- PHY.C341
- Number of credits
- 200
- Course offered
- 2021
- Offered quarter
- 4Q
- Syllabus updated
- Jul 10, 2025
- Language
- Japanese
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
This course provides a comprehensive view of the central concepts of following topics in physics; magnetism by localized magnetic moments, quantum theory of electric conduction in metals and semiconductors, topological insulators, superconductivity, atomic-layer materials.
Students will study basic concepts under novel phenomena which happen at various aspects in condensed matter physics.
Course description and aims
Condensed matter physics deals with the various physical properties of condensed phases of matter. The goal of this course is to provide students understanding of basic concepts of several hot and improtant aspects of modern condensed matterphysics.
Keywords
magnetism, semiconductor physics, atomic-layer materials, metals, and superconductivity.
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
We will discuss the subjects listed below.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Group velocity, Effective mass, Hole | Students must understand relation between electron motion in solids and band structure. |
| Class 2 | Drude model, Boltzmann equation | Understand basic formulation of electric conduction. |
| Class 3 | Bloch-Grüneisen formula, Matthiesen rule | Understand factors determining electric conduction in metals. |
| Class 4 | Hall effect, Thermoelectric effect, Wiedemann-Franz law | Understand electric conduction in a magnetic field or temperature difference. |
| Class 5 | Band structure of semiconductors | Understand band structure of semiconductors. |
| Class 6 | Intrinsic semiconductors, Extrinsic semiconductors | Understand factors determining electric conduction in semiconductors. |
| Class 7 | p-n junctions, Heterostructures | Understand electric conduction in junctions between different materials. |
| Class 8 | Topological Insulators | Students must understand what's topological insulator, and the characteristic edge state. |
| Class 9 | Various types of magnetism: paramagnetism, diamagnetism, ferromagnetism, antiferromagnetism | Understand different types of magnetism. |
| Class 10 | Localized magnetic moments and the Fund's rule | Understand the Fund's rule and explain the origin of localized magnetic moments. |
| Class 11 | Exchange interaction and ferromagnetism | Understand the exchange interaction as the origin of ferromagnetism. |
| Class 12 | Overview of superconductivity | Understand the basics of superconductivity. |
| Class 13 | Ginzburg Landau theory | Understand the basic concepts of Ginzburg Landau theory. |
| Class 14 | Josephson effect | Understand the Josephson effect and its application. |
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)
Course materials are provided during class.
Reference books, course materials, etc.
Japanese text book is recommended as written above.
〔Uchida〕： H. Ibach and H. Luth, Solid-State Physics: An Introduction to Principles of Materials Science, Springer (2009).
〔Hirahara〕： Japanese textbooks are shown above.
Evaluation methods and criteria
Students' course scores are mainly based on final exam or final report.
Related courses
- PHY.C340 ： Basic Solid State Physics
- ZUB.Q204 ： Quantum Mechanics I
- ZUB.S205 ： Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics I
- PHY.C342 ： Condensed Matter Physics II
Prerequisites
Students must have successfully completed PHY.C340, ZUB.Q204, and ZUB.S205.