Reminder of the Course Objective

To expose students to the rich, broad, varied field of

SOLID STATE PHYSICS
.
Solid State Physics is about many different kinds of
solids.
We'll discuss the microscopic physics of mostly,
CRYSTALLINE solids, including metals, insulators, &
semiconductors.
 The Structure of Physics
Increasing Speed
Low Speed High Speed
Decreasing Size

v << c v<~c
Large Size >> Classical Mechanics Special Relativity
(Newton, Hamilton, Lagrange) (Einstein)
Atomic Size
Small Size < ~ Quantum Mechanics Relativistic Quantum
(Schrodinger, Heisenberg) Mechanics (Dirac)
Atomic Size
Atomic Quantum Field Quantum
Physics Theory Electrodynamics
Molecular Nuclear & Quantum
(Chemical) Particle Chromodynamics
Physics Physics
Feynman, Schwinger,
Solid State (Gluons, Quarks,
Leptons, Strong Gell-Mann (Photon)
Physics Nuclear Force) (Weak Nuclear Force)
 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 broad physics 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 PROPERTIES emerge when these
building blocks are grouped together in various ways.
Motivations for the Study of Solid State Physics
Technological & Basic Physics motivations 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!
Motivations for the Study of Solid State Physics
Technological Motivations
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.
 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 mechanics must 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.
 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 physics phenomena is the fact that:
More than 40% of Physics Nobel Prizes in the
past 40 years & 50% of those in the past 10 years
have been for work in Solid State Physics!!!!
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 a
very good, interesting field! LARGE quantities of
new physics is discovered in this area all of the time.
For example, the American 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 ~ 60,000 APS members
belong to the DCMP.
 Relationship of Solid State Physics to Other Areas
Solid State Physics Research often benefits from interaction with
researchers from other areas of physics & from engineering. So,
often it is truly interdisciplinary in nature.

This aspect of it is
illustrated abstractly
in the figure