2022 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 (Livestream)
- 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
- 2022
- 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 (Scalar, vectors, tensors, transformations) |
Understand the groundwork of crystal physics |
| Class 2 | The groundwork of crystal physics (Definition of a tensor, the representation quadric) |
Understand the groundwork of crystal physics |
| Class 3 | The symmetry of crystals (Symmetry elements, point groups, crystal classes) |
Understand the symmetry of crystals |
| Class 4 | The symmetry of crystals (Crystal systems) |
Understand the symmetry of crystals |
| Class 5 | The effect of crystal symmetry on crystal properties |
Understand the effect of crystal symmetry on crystal properties |
| Class 6 | Transformations and second-rank tensors |
Understand transformations and second-rank tensors |
| Class 7 | Vector product (Polar and axial vectors) |
Understand vector product |
| Class 8 | The Mohr circle construction |
Understand the Mohr circle construction |
| Class 9 | Paramagnetic and diamagnetic susceptibility |
Understand paramagnetic and diamagnetic susceptibility |
| Class 10 | Electric Polarization |
Understand electric Polarization |
| Class 11 | Pyroelectricity and ferroelectricity |
Understand pyroelectricity and ferroelectricity |
| Class 12 | Crystal optics (birefringence) |
Understand crystal optics |
| Class 13 | Optical activity |
Understand optical activity |
| Class 14 | Summary |
Understand crystal physics |
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.