What is “ Solid State Physics ”??

1. What is“Solid StatePhysics”??

2. Reminder of the Course Objective • To expose students to the rich, broad, varied field of SOLID STATE PHYSICS • This ISN'T a semiconductor physics course!! • A semiconductor course is Physics 5335, Semiconductor Physics Offered in the fall of even numbered years. • Solid State Physics is about many different kinds of solids.Semiconductors are a special category. We'll discuss the microscopic physics of mostly,CRYSTALLINE solids, including metals, insulators, & semiconductors. • This course is complementary to, but it ISN'Ta replacement for Physics 5335!!

3. The Structure of Physics Increasing Speed Decreasing Size Low Speed v << c High Speed v < ~ c Large Size >> Atomic Size Classical Mechanics (Newton, Hamilton, Lagrange) Special Relativity (Einstein) Small Size < ~ Atomic Size Quantum Mechanics (Schrodinger,Heisenberg) Relativistic Quantum Mechanics(Dirac) Atomic Physics Quantum Field Theory Quantum Electrodynamics Nuclear & Particle Physics Molecular (Chemical) Physics Quantum Chromodynamics Feynman, Schwinger, Gell-Mann(Photon) (Weak Nuclear Force) Solid State Physics (Gluons, Quarks, Leptons, Strong Nuclear Force)

4. The Structure of Physics Increasing Speed Decreasing Size Low Speed v << c High Speed v < ~ c Large Size >> Atomic Size Classical Mechanics (Newton, Hamilton, Lagrange) Special Relativity (Einstein) Small Size < ~ Atomic Size Quantum Mechanics (Schrodinger,Heisenberg) Relativistic Quantum Mechanics(Dirac) Atomic Physics Quantum Field Theory Quantum Electrodynamics In this course, our focus will be here! Nuclear & Particle Physics Molecular (Chemical) Physics Quantum Chromodynamics Feynman, Schwinger, Gell-Mann(Photon) (Weak Nuclear Force) Solid State Physics (Gluons, Quarks, Leptons, Strong Nuclear Force)

5. What is “Solid State Physics”? • “Solid State Physics”can be ~ defined as the study of the microscopic properties of the dense assembly of electrons formed by placing atoms very close together in a solid. • It is a very large, very broadphysics sub-field. • In some sense, Solid State Physics is “the opposite” of Particle Physics. Particle Physics focuses on properties of INDIVIDUAL particles. • Particle physicists break composite objects up into constituent building blocks. • Solid State Physics deals with the microscopic properties of large COLLECTIONS of particles. • Solid State physicists are interested in what fundamentally NEW PROPERTIESemerge when these building blocks are grouped together in various ways.

6. Motivations for the Study of Solid State Physics • Technological& Basic Physicsmotivations to study Solid State Physics. Technological Motivations • A very important motivation is that the microscopic properties Solid State Physics deals with are responsible for the majority of modern technology. • These properties determine the mechanical strength of materials, how they interact with light, how they conduct electricity, etc. • So, Solid State Physics is important for technology, because it gives guidance on the design of circuits needed for modern electronic devices. This field gave us the transistor & the semiconductor chip! • So, Solid State Physics is traditionally linked to materials science, chemistry & engineering. • Recently, it has developed overlaps with biology, biochemistry, biotechnology & medicine. • So, many current research questions in Solid State Physics are still at the frontiers of applied science & next-generation technologies.

7. Basic Physics Motivations • A very important motivation to study Solid State Physics is that the fundamental physics needed to understand the microscopic properties of solids is very interesting. • To understand these properties, the ideas & methods of quantum mechanicsmust be used. The physics of solids is VERY deeply quantum mechanical. • Solid State Physics has sometimes been called the best “laboratory” for studying subtle quantum mechanical effects. • This course may be a first chance for students to see quantum mechanical ideas & methods applied to cases where their technological consequences are so important.

8. 2 examples (of MANY!) in which Solid State Physics discoveries have revealed very interesting, fundamental physics are the observations/explanations of 1. Superconductivity 2. The Fractional Quantum Hall Effect • Both have exotic quantum mechanical explanations. • A very strong indicator that Solid State Physics has led (& continues to lead!) to the understanding of many very interesting basic physicsphenomena is the fact that: More than 40%of Physics Nobel Prizesin the past 40 years &50% of those in the past 10 years have been for work in Solid State Physics!!!!

9. The Solid State Physics Research Area • Many of you are likely taking this course because it is related to your research area. If so, you've chosen avery good, interesting field!LARGEquantities of new physics is discovered in this area all of the time. • For example, theAmerican Physical Society's (APS) Division of Condensed Matter Physics or DCMP("Condensed Matter" is ~ the same as“Solid State”) is, BY FAR, the largest APS division! ~(1/3) of the ~ 50,000APS members belong to theDCMP. • Another APS division is the Division of Materials Physics or DMP(“Materials Physics” is ~ the same as “Applied Solid State”), which started 12-15 years ago. The DMP is rapidly growing & may eventually become similar in size to the DCMP. (Many people belong to both!). • BY FAR, the largest annual APS meeting is the joint DCMP & DMPmeeting. It is held each March(it's called the “March Meeting” !). • 2013 March Meeting(Baltimore, MD): ~7,000+ people &~5,000+ papers!

10. The APS No matter what your research area is Every Physics Graduate Student, + every undergrad who wants to go to graduate school! should join the APS!! • The first year's membership isFREEto students& the following student years are highly discounted!

11. The MRS Graduate students working in Solid State, Condensed Matter, or Materials Physics should also consider joining the Materials Research Society (MRS)! • The MRS is another large professional organization, but it has a very interdisciplinary membership. • This reflects the fact that people with many different backgrounds are doing various kinds of materials research.For example, it has members with backgrounds in Physics, in Chemistry, & in various types of Engineering.