Solid state physics Definition and 133 Discussions

Solid-state physics is the study of rigid matter, or solids, through methods such as quantum mechanics, crystallography, electromagnetism, and metallurgy. It is the largest branch of condensed matter physics. Solid-state physics studies how the large-scale properties of solid materials result from their atomic-scale properties. Thus, solid-state physics forms a theoretical basis of materials science. It also has direct applications, for example in the technology of transistors and semiconductors.

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  1. besebenomo

    Einstein solid state model exercise

    I tried to solve it considering the canonical ensemble (since the system is at the equilibrium with temperature T) and started finding the partition function: The problem is I am not sure if I have done it correctly and need help because I don't really know where to check.
  2. Alpha Roy

    A How to map high symmetry points from a primitive to a conventional cell?

    We usually plot electronic bands with the help of high symmetry points of the irreducible zone of primitive cell of particular material. But if we want to plot bands with conventional cell, we have to map the high symmetry points from primitive cell to conventional cell. so how can we map the...
  3. R

    Does Drain Current Increase if Doping Increases?

    I'm an EE with only a surface knowledge of solid state. I know this forum is mostly for students but I don't know where else to find a lot of physicists. Also, please forgive me if this is a dumb question. For a circuit I want to build, I need a transistor that can conduct > 10,000 A, but does...
  4. Mr_Allod

    Built in Voltage of 3-Layer PN Junction

    For a normal PN junction I would try to find $V_{bi}$ by integrating the carrier density (eg. the electrons n) from one region to the other: $$\int_{n_{p0}}^{n} \frac {dn}{n} = \frac {q}{kT}\int_{V_p}^{V_n} dV$$ Which would yield: $$V_{bi}=V_n-V_p=\frac...
  5. chikchok

    Phonon density of states and density of states of free electrons

    In the following pdf I tried to calculate the density of states of free electrons and phonons. First, I found the free electron DOS in 1D, it turns to be proportional to (energy)^(-1/2) and in 2D it is constant. However, I am not sure I found the DOS for phonons in the second part of the...
  6. chikchok

    I Chemical potential and Fermi level

    Does fermi level (in metals) depend on the density of states? I am asking this because from fermi-dirac distribution it seems like that fermi level is non-dependent of DOS, but there is chemical potential in fermi-dirac distribution, which is said to be dependent of DOS.
  7. chikchok

    I The meaning of the Fermi energy

    The Fermi energy Ef is defined as the energy of the topmost filled level in the ground state of the N electron system. Ground state is n=1 level. And in the ground state there can be only one orbital right? One orbital can have only up to 2 electrons. Does this mean that fermy energy is the...
  8. hagopbul

    I Another question from Ashcroft and Mermin: Fermi-Dirac Distribution

    Good Day : i reached the page 40 of Ashcroft Mermin book and after the equation 2.38 there is this expression of E(a,N) which is equal to Helmoltez Free energy F = U - TS , how this two terms F , E are related ? anyone can provide adequate explanation , and few useful references Best...
  9. Dario56

    Definition of Absolute Electrode Potential

    Hey guys, I have two questions: 1) I thought absolute electrode potential is galvani potential difference at the interface. However, it is given by this equation in John Bockris - Modern Electrochemistry: $$ E(abs) = ^M\Delta^S\phi - \mu_e^M/F $$ First term is galvani potential difference on...
    • Dario56
    • Thread
    • electrochemistry solid state physics
    • Replies: 2
    • Forum: Chemistry
  10. T

    A Properties of Degenerate Electron Gas

    Basically the thread title. For some background, I'm trying to model laser-material interactions, where I'm assuming that the laser is interacting with a free electron gas (copper). To model the interaction, I need to determine the properties of the electron gas, such as the heat capacity...
  11. J

    Debye Approximation of Heat Capacity in 1D

    So really i am just unsure how to answer the last part of the question. I am unsure how to apply the low and high temperature limits the way i have done it. Do i set upper/lower limits on the integral and solve? If so i am not sure what to put Here is what he book has for 3d
  12. S

    Assignment on the tight binding model

    Summary:: Due tight-binding model I derived the energy spectrum of the particle, showing that it comprises three energy bands E+(k), E−(k) and E0(k)=0. Now, I have to find the dispersion laws. Why do I have a flat energy band? What is its physical significance?. Also, what happens to the...
  13. D

    A B.D. Cullity § C.D. Graham-Introduction Magnetic Materials Solutions

    Hi, I have to check some questions answers for my homework (Problem 3.5 and 3.6). Please help me find this book solution manual.
  14. A

    I Fermi-Liquid - amount of electrons available for the interaction

    I have attached the pages in Kittel's book (pages 417-420) regarding my question. My question is simply based off of the second to last photo, where e_f = 5*10^4 K and e_1 = 1K. e_2<e_f and |e_2|<e_1. So how can (e_1/e_f)^2 be less than 1? The energy of the free flowing electron is assumed to...
  15. J

    Standard enthelpies of formation of carbon nanotubes etc.

    I am curious about the standard enthalpies of formation of carbon nanotubes, diamond, carbon buckyballs, graphene, etc. I read from physics forums that the standard enthalpies of formation of these allotropes of carbon are small. However, since diamond is fabricated naturally under extreme...
    • James Essig
    • Thread
    • physical chemistry solid state physics
    • Replies: 2
    • Forum: Chemistry
  16. Error404!

    A Effective Mass of Electron for White Tin

    For some work of mine i need the plasma resonance frequency for tin nanoparticle, i searched various research papers and found different efffective masses tin for different orbits. here i attached screen shot from W A Roger and S B Woods (Cyclotron effective masses in white tin). What value is...
  17. Asuratyr

    I Best video lectures on SSP following Kittel

    Hi, I am currently studying for our third year solid state physics course. We follow chapters 1-9 From Charles Kittel's "introduction to SSP" Youtube has a lot of videos on solid state physics yet i am struggling to find any video source for lectures that follow the book of Kittel. I would...
  18. Z

    Schools What are some good solid state theory masters schools in Europe?

    What are some good solid state/condensed matter theory schools in Europe ?
  19. Kyueong-Hwang

    What are the lattice points for this?

    In picture, there is crystal structure with two atoms. Question is, what is the lattice points? Find a set of lattice points. I think green and pink points are both lattice points. Am i right? This is our full hw.
  20. L

    I What is the relation between chemical potential and the number of particles?

    Chemical potential is defined as the change in energy due to change in the number of particles in a system. Let we have a system which is defined by the following Hamiltonian: $$H = -t \sum_i^L c_i^\dagger c_{i+1} + V\sum_i^L n_i n_{i+1} -\mu \sum_i^L n_i$$ where ##c^\dagger (c)## are creation...
    • Luqman Saleem
    • Thread
    • condensed matter physics solid state physics statisical mechanics statisical physics thermodaynamics
    • Replies: 3
    • Forum: Quantum Physics
  21. confusedius

    Solid State Physics: Draw the Dispersion Relation from the Fermi Surface

    Homework Statement ln the figure below you (b, which is taken from Jenö Sólyom Fundamentals of the physics of solids. Volume 2 chapter 19) see the Fermi sphere of radius k_F inside one section in two dimensions of the Brillouin zone of Na. Draw the dispersion relation E(k) from the I point in...
  22. Z

    "The theoritical minimum" modern equivalent for solid state?

    Hi, for those who don't know, Landau (Lev Davidovitch Landau) had a famous exam called "The theoretical minimum". That exam had to be passed by any future grad-student of his. That test was extremely extensive and difficult, and the student was supposed to be knowledgeable about many fields of...
  23. steroidjunkie

    Powder sample crystal is analyzed using Debye-Scherrer method....

    Homework Statement Powder sample of monoatomic cubic lattice crystal is analyzed using Debye-Scherrer method. Primitive vetors of direct lattice are: a1 = (a, 0, 0), a2 = (0, a, 0) i a3 = (0, 0, a). Wavelength of x-ray radiation is 1 Å. a) Find primitive vectors of reciprocal lattice. b) Find...
  24. N

    Voltage drop in a metal

    Metals are highly effective at screening electric fields. If we place two contacts reasonably far away from each other on a piece of metal and apply a voltage bias, the charge carriers in the section that is far enough from both the contacts should be unaffected by the electric field. Why then...
  25. Joaco

    Studying Condensed Matter Physics Grade vs Materials Science?

    Hi, I'm an undergrad materials engineering student. I am thinking of studying all the way to a PhD as I'm interested on working in research. Right now I work with Semiconductors and I like the field a lot. However, considering what I'm studying, I want to know if it's a good Idea to look for a...
    • Joaco
    • Thread
    • condensed matter physics materials science semiconductors solid state physics studies
    • Replies: 4
    • Forum: STEM Academic Advising
  26. MathematicalPhysicist

    Ashcroft and Mermin's problem 13.4.

    Homework Statement I need some help on how to solve this problem. I am attaching the problem: [![enter image description here][1]][1] [![enter image description here][2]][2] For item (a) in the problem, I think I need to use eq. (13.21) in the following pic: [![enter image description...
  27. C

    Finding the potential inside a semiconductor

    Homework Statement My question is more about understanding the task itself, not about calculation. I am supposed to use the poisson equation, to derive the potential inside a semiconductor for a barrier with potential height ##\phi_B## and a donator doping with ##N1 > N2##. Then I should use...
  28. G

    A Fraunhofer's multiple slits versus atomic scatteres (diffraction theory)

    Hey, I am currently busy with studying solid state physics and looking at diffraction theory. Following link explains Frauenhofer diffraction pretty good: http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/phyopt/mulslid.html#c3 Let's assume a N=6 multiple slits. Its diffraction pattern depends on slit...
  29. Ethan Klein

    Mechanical Engineering (BS) Vs. Pursuing Physics PhD

    Hello everyone. Currently, I am an undergraduate sophomore planning to study physics and in the process of transferring from community college to University. I am seeking advice on deciding between pursuing a mechanical engineering degree (BS) or a PhD in physics. My journey so far has taken...
  30. G

    A Energy gap between energy bands in solid state physics

    I know that Bragg reflection in solid states at the edge of e.g. the first Brillouin Zone causes standing waves at these edges, which creates a gap between the energy bands. In this picture below you can see the probability density of a symmetric (+) and anti-symmetric (-) standing wave. The...
  31. fluidistic

    I How come electrons and phonons lead to the heat equation?

    Phonons on their own lead to the common heat equation. One sees that for example in insulators or non doped semiconductors. However in metals (or conductors), the electrons are the ones that are mostly responsible for the heat transfer, which extremely surprisingly to me, is also of the form of...
  32. L

    A The hermicity of a k.p matrix?

    I am trying to use the k.p method to study quantum well band structure. One example Hamiltonian look like this [J. Appl. Phys., 116, 033709(2014)] where ##{{\hat k}_ \pm } = {{\hat k}_x} \pm i{{\hat k}_y}## and the matrix elements are function of ##{{\hat k}_i}## and if quantum well is...
  33. Muthumanimaran

    Bond Strength and Force constant

    Homework Statement Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution (a) Total energy is $$E=\frac{-e^2}{4\pi\epsilon_{0}R}-\frac{B}{R^{5/6}}$$ Taking derivative of E with respect to R and equating it to zero when R=R0 yields, i.e, $$\frac{dE}{dR}{\bigg|}_{R=R_0}=0$$ when R=R0 yields...
  34. GiovanniNunziante

    A Derivation of the Heisenberg equation for electron density

    I'm studying plasmons from "Haken-Quantum Field Theory of Solids", and i need some help in the calculation of the equation of motion of eletrons' density \begin{equation} \hat{\rho}_{\overrightarrow{q}} = \frac{1}{\sqrt{V}} \sum_{\overrightarrow{k}}...
  35. Philethan

    A High-field Hall effect and magnetoresistance

    I'm reading Mermin's Solid State Physics, chapter 12: The semiclasssical model of electron dynamics. I know the current density from the ##n## band is $$ \mathbf{j}=(-e)\int_{\text{occupied}}f(\epsilon_{\text{n}}(\mathbf{k}))\frac{d\mathbf{k}}{4\pi^3}\mathbf{v}_{\text{n}}(\mathbf{k}). $$ In...
  36. Philethan

    A Bloch theorem proof with V(x)=V(x+ma)

    In Grosso's Solid State Physics, chapter 1, page 2, The author said that: Therefore, I plug (4) into (1), and I expect that I can get the following relationship, which proves that ##H\left|W_{k}(x)\right\rangle## belongs to the subspace ##\mathbf{S}_{k}## of plane waves of wavenumbers...
  37. Philethan

    A Why do we need to know "two-bands" Hall coefficient and magn

    (Oh my god, why can't my post show normally? Some sentences just disappear, but I can still see them while editing. It's very weird. Can someone help me? I've reported.) I know only partially filled bands result in current density, and I think there must be not only 2 partially filled bands...
  38. Solid State Physics by Prof. Amal Kumar Das (NPTEL):- Lecture 1: Atom to Solid Structure

    Solid State Physics by Prof. Amal Kumar Das (NPTEL):- Lecture 1: Atom to Solid Structure

    Copyright strictly reserved to Prof. Amal Kumar Das and NPTEL, Govt. of India. Lectures: http://www.nptel.ac.in/courses/115105099/ Syllabus: http://www.nptel.ac.in/syllabus/syllabus.php?subjectId=115105099
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  39. Solid State Physics by Prof. Amal Kumar Das (NPTEL):- Lecture 2: Atom to Solid Structure (Contd.)

    Solid State Physics by Prof. Amal Kumar Das (NPTEL):- Lecture 2: Atom to Solid Structure (Contd.)

    Copyright strictly reserved to Prof. Amal Kumar Das and NPTEL, Govt. of India. Lectures: http://www.nptel.ac.in/courses/115105099/ Syllabus: http://www.nptel.ac.in/syllabus/syllabus.php?subjectId=115105099
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  40. Solid State Physics by Prof. Amal Kumar Das (NPTEL):- Lecture 3: Structure of Solid

    Solid State Physics by Prof. Amal Kumar Das (NPTEL):- Lecture 3: Structure of Solid

    Copyright strictly reserved to Prof. Amal Kumar Das and NPTEL, Govt. of India. Lectures: http://www.nptel.ac.in/courses/115105099/ Syllabus: http://www.nptel.ac.in/syllabus/syllabus.php?subjectId=115105099
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  41. Solid State Physics by Prof. Amal Kumar Das (NPTEL):- Lecture 4 : Structure of Solid (Contd.)

    Solid State Physics by Prof. Amal Kumar Das (NPTEL):- Lecture 4 : Structure of Solid (Contd.)

    Copyright strictly reserved to Prof. Amal Kumar Das and NPTEL, Govt. of India. Lectures: http://www.nptel.ac.in/courses/115105099/ Syllabus: http://www.nptel.ac.in/syllabus/syllabus.php?subjectId=115105099
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  42. Solid State Physics by Prof. Amal Kumar Das (NPTEL):- Lecture 5: Crystal Structure

    Solid State Physics by Prof. Amal Kumar Das (NPTEL):- Lecture 5: Crystal Structure

    Copyright strictly reserved to Prof. Amal Kumar Das and NPTEL, Govt. of India. Lectures: http://www.nptel.ac.in/courses/115105099/ Syllabus: http://www.nptel.ac.in/syllabus/syllabus.php?subjectId=115105099
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  43. Solid State Physics by Prof. Amal Kumar Das (NPTEL):- Week 1 Assignment Solution

    Solid State Physics by Prof. Amal Kumar Das (NPTEL):- Week 1 Assignment Solution

    Copyright strictly reserved to Prof. Amal Kumar Das and NPTEL, Govt. of India. Lectures: http://www.nptel.ac.in/courses/115105099/ Syllabus: http://www.nptel.ac.in/syllabus/syllabus.php?subjectId=115105099
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  44. Solid State Physics by Prof. Amal Kumar Das (NPTEL):- Lecture 6: Crystal Structure (Contd.)

    Solid State Physics by Prof. Amal Kumar Das (NPTEL):- Lecture 6: Crystal Structure (Contd.)

    Copyright strictly reserved to Prof. Amal Kumar Das and NPTEL, Govt. of India. Lectures: http://www.nptel.ac.in/courses/115105099/ Syllabus: http://www.nptel.ac.in/syllabus/syllabus.php?subjectId=115105099
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  45. Solid State Physics by Prof. Amal Kumar Das (NPTEL):- Lecture 7: Crystal Structure (Contd.)

    Solid State Physics by Prof. Amal Kumar Das (NPTEL):- Lecture 7: Crystal Structure (Contd.)

    Copyright strictly reserved to Prof. Amal Kumar Das and NPTEL, Govt. of India. Lectures: http://www.nptel.ac.in/courses/115105099/ Syllabus: http://www.nptel.ac.in/syllabus/syllabus.php?subjectId=115105099
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  46. Solid State Physics by Prof. Amal Kumar Das (NPTEL):- Lecture 8: Crystal Structure (Contd.)

    Solid State Physics by Prof. Amal Kumar Das (NPTEL):- Lecture 8: Crystal Structure (Contd.)

    Copyright strictly reserved to Prof. Amal Kumar Das and NPTEL, Govt. of India. Lectures: http://www.nptel.ac.in/courses/115105099/ Syllabus: http://www.nptel.ac.in/syllabus/syllabus.php?subjectId=115105099
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  47. Solid State Physics by Prof. Amal Kumar Das (NPTEL):- Lecture 9: Crystal Structure (Contd.)

    Solid State Physics by Prof. Amal Kumar Das (NPTEL):- Lecture 9: Crystal Structure (Contd.)

    Copyright strictly reserved to Prof. Amal Kumar Das and NPTEL, Govt. of India. Lectures: http://www.nptel.ac.in/courses/115105099/ Syllabus: http://www.nptel.ac.in/syllabus/syllabus.php?subjectId=115105099
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  48. Solid State Physics by Prof. Amal Kumar Das (NPTEL):- Lecture 10: Crystal Structure (Contd.)

    Solid State Physics by Prof. Amal Kumar Das (NPTEL):- Lecture 10: Crystal Structure (Contd.)

    Copyright strictly reserved to Prof. Amal Kumar Das and NPTEL, Govt. of India. Lectures: http://www.nptel.ac.in/courses/115105099/ Syllabus: http://www.nptel.ac.in/syllabus/syllabus.php?subjectId=115105099
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  49. Solid State Physics by Prof. Amal Kumar Das (NPTEL):- Lecture 11: Crystal Structure (Contd.)

    Solid State Physics by Prof. Amal Kumar Das (NPTEL):- Lecture 11: Crystal Structure (Contd.)

    Copyright strictly reserved to Prof. Amal Kumar Das and NPTEL, Govt. of India. Lectures: http://www.nptel.ac.in/courses/115105099/ Syllabus: http://www.nptel.ac.in/syllabus/syllabus.php?subjectId=115105099
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  50. Solid State Physics by Prof. Amal Kumar Das (NPTEL):- Week 2 Assignment Solution

    Solid State Physics by Prof. Amal Kumar Das (NPTEL):- Week 2 Assignment Solution

    Copyright strictly reserved to Prof. Amal Kumar Das and NPTEL, Govt. of India. Lectures: http://www.nptel.ac.in/courses/115105099/ Syllabus: http://www.nptel.ac.in/syllabus/syllabus.php?subjectId=115105099
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