2021 Faculty Courses School of Science Department of Physics Graduate major in Physics
Crystal Physics
- Academic unit or major
- Graduate major in Physics
- Instructor(s)
- Takuya Satoh
- Class Format
- Lecture
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 1-2 Tue / 1-2 Fri
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- PHY.C441
- Number of credits
- 200
- Course offered
- 2021
- Offered quarter
- 1Q
- Syllabus updated
- Jul 10, 2025
- Language
- English
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
In crystal physics, crystals are considered as an anisotropic medium from a macroscopic point of view. The concept of tensors is important for discussing the physical properties of crystals. After giving an overview of crystal physics, we discuss transformations and second-order tensors. Next, we consider the anisotropy of paramagnetic and diamagnetic susceptibility and electric polarization as the characteristics of the equilibrium state of crystals. The point group of crystals and symmetry operations are also explained.
Course description and aims
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
1) Understand that the basic structure of materials are periodic arrangements of atoms.
2) Explain that the symmetry and macroscopic properties of materials are strongly interconnected.
Keywords
Crystals, lattice, point group, symmetry, tensors
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
Lectures will be given in board format. Questions and comments are submitted as a questionnaire at the end of each lecture.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | The groundwork of crystal physics | Understand the groundwork of crystal physics |
| Class 2 | The groundwork of crystal physics | Understand the groundwork of crystal physics |
| Class 3 | The symmetry of crystals | Understand the symmetry of crystals |
| Class 4 | The effect of crystal symmetry on crystal properties | Understand the effect of crystal symmetry on crystal properties |
| Class 5 | Transformations and second-rank tensors | Understand transformations and second-rank tensors |
| Class 6 | Transformations and second-rank tensors | Understand transformations and second-rank tensors |
| Class 7 | Paramagnetic and diamagnetic susceptibility | Understand paramagnetic and diamagnetic susceptibility |
| Class 8 | Paramagnetic and diamagnetic susceptibility | Understand paramagnetic and diamagnetic susceptibility |
| Class 9 | Electric Polarization | Understand electric Polarization |
| Class 10 | Electric Polarization | Understand electric Polarization |
| Class 11 | The stress tensor | Understand the stress tensor |
| Class 12 | The stress tensor | Understand the stress tensor |
| Class 13 | The strain tensor and thermal expansion | Understand the strain tensor and thermal expansion |
| Class 14 | The strain tensor and thermal expansion | Understand the strain tensor and thermal expansion |
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)
J. F. Nye “Physical Properties of Crystals: Their Representation by Tensors and Matrices” (Oxford University Press)
Reference books, course materials, etc.
We Use lecture materials as needed.
Evaluation methods and criteria
Evaluation will be based on report submission.
Related courses
- PHY.C340 ： Basic Solid State Physics
- PHY.C341 ： Condensed Matter Physics I
- PHY.C342 ： Condensed Matter Physics II
Prerequisites
Students must have basic knowledge of electromagnetism and solid state physics.