Solid State Theory
0800-TECIS
1. Geometrical description of crystals: Bravais lattice, reciprocal lattice, Wigner-Seitz primitive cells and Brillouin zone.
2. Translational symmetry and quantum mechanical aspects: Bloch theorem and periodic boundary conditions.
3. One-particle excitation spectra and density of states.
4. The free-electron theory of metals: Fermi gas and Sommerfeld expansion.
5. Adiabatic approximation.
6. One-electron approximation: Hartree method, Hartree-Fock method and basic concepts of density-functional theory.
7. Band theory of crystals: selected methods for the solution of the electronic structure problem.
8. Chemical bonding in selected crystals.
9. Excitons, plasmons and dielectric screening (response function).
10. Fermi liquid theory: a phenomenological view of the role played by electron-electron interactions.
11. Role of the lattice: spring model for lattice vibrations, Einstein and Debye models, and anharmonic effects.
12. Transport and optical response: Drude, Boltzmann equation, thermoelectricity (overview), linear response (Kubo, qualitative).
13. Introduction to magnetism and superconductivity.
Total student workload
- hours spent with instructors: 60, including 40 hours of lectures and 20 hours of calculation exercises;
- time spent on individual work required to successfully complete the course: 40 hours;
- time required to prepare for and participate in the assessment process: 25 hours
Learning outcomes - knowledge
W1 - The student has in-depth knowledge of solid-state physics within the second-cycle programme level. In particular, he/she has knowledge about crystalline structure and translational symmetry of solids and understands their relation to the electronic structure and physical properties of crystals. (Physics: K_W04; Technical Physics: K_W01)
W2 - The student has knowledge of key theoretical concepts used in solid-state theory. In particular, he/she has knowledge about: (a) one-particle excitation spectra and density of states, (b) free-electron theory of metals, (c) fundamental approximations used in electronic-structure theory (adiabatic and one-electron approximations), (d) band theory and selected methods for describing the electronic structure of solids, (e) dielectric response and screening, (f) Landau Fermi-liquid phenomenology, (g) lattice vibrations and thermal properties, (h) transport and optical response. (Physics: K_W04 and K_W05; Technical Physics: K_W01 and K_W02)
Learning outcomes - skills
U1 - The student is able to use fundamental methods in problem-solving and conclusive reasoning and can apply mathematical formalism to describe basic properties of crystalline solids. In particular, can relate translational symmetry and the Bloch theorem to energy bands, dispersion relations, and density of states, and perform standard calculations within simple solid-state models. (Physics: K_U01; Technical Physics: K_U01)
U2 - The student is able to find relevant information in specialist literature and reconstruct the reasoning taking into account the assumptions and approximations made. (Physics: K_U04; Technical Physics: K_U03)
U3 - The student is able to critically analyse the results of theoretical calculations and assess the limitations of models/approximations used in solid-state theory; can formulate and test hypotheses about the agreement between model predictions and physical behaviour (qualitatively, including comparison to typical experimental trends where appropriate). (Physics: K_U03; Technical Physics: K_U04)
Learning outcomes - social competencies
K1 - The student knows the level of his or her knowledge, skills and limitations; is able to formulate questions adequately and understands the need for further education. (Physics: K_K01; Technical Physics: K_K01)
K2 - The student understands and values intellectual honesty and research integrity as e.g. the proper attribution of sources and avoidance of plagiarism.
(Physics: K_K02; Technical Physics: K_K02)
K3 - The student understands the need to spread and promote knowledge in physics and its applications, including recent scientific and technological developments. (Physics: K_K03; Technical Physics: K_K03)
Course coordinators
Term 2025/26L: | Term 2023/24L: | Term 2022/23L: | Term 2024/25L: |
Teaching methods
Lecture: standard lecture with a combination of multimedia presentation and step-by-step derivations at the blackboard.
Exercises: problem-solving and guided-derivation sessions focused on topics such as chemical bonding in crystals, band theory, lattice vibrations/phonons.
Expository teaching methods
- informative (conventional) lecture
Exploratory teaching methods
- practical
- classic problem-solving
Type of course
compulsory course
Prerequisites
Mandatory:
Basic knowledge of quantum mechanics
Preferred:
Introduction to solid state physics
Assessment criteria
Assessment methods: written exam (50%) and oral exam (50%).
Written exam: 10 questions/problems, taken at the end of the course. Each item is graded using one of the following point scales: 0–2 (easy), 0–3 (medium), or 0–4 (difficult). The written-exam grade is determined from the percentage of points obtained relative to the maximum possible score, according to:
< 50% → 2
50–60% → 3
61–70% → 3+
71–80% → 4
81–90% → 4+
91–100% → 5
Oral exam: three questions covering the topics presented during the course. The oral-exam grade is based on the quality and completeness of the answers.
Final grade: arithmetic mean of the written and oral grades, rounded up to the next grade step (e.g., 4 and 4+ gives 4+).
Practical placement
without professional practice
Bibliography
This course will primarily follow Solid State Physics by G. Grosso and G. Pastori Parravicini (Academic Press, 2nd ed., 2013). Most of the covered material is also treated in standard textbooks such as Introduction to Solid State Physics by C. Kittel (John Wiley & Sons, 8th ed., 2004). Selected advanced topics (time permitting) will be based on Quantum Solid-State Physics by S. V. Vonsovsky and M. I. Katsnelson (Springer-Verlag, 1989).
Notes
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Term 2025/26L:
The course begins in the first week of March (02.03.2026–06.03.2026). Students will be notified in advance of any changes to the official schedule. |
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors,
localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: