Schedule of Classes

• Lecture: Tue, Thu 12:30-13:50, Mayer-A 2623

• Discussion session: Tue 14:00-14:50, Mayer 5301

• No final exam

• Instructor: Yi-Zhuang You (尤亦庄) (sounds like EACH-ONE, YOU) (He/Him/His)

  • Email: yzyou@ucsd.edu

  • Office hour: by schedule, https://ucsd.zoom.us/my/yzyou

• Teaching Assistants

  • Dachuan Lu (Discussion session) Email: ldachuan@ucsd.edu

• Course grade: homework 50%, final paper 50%.

  • Final paper topic: choose any topic related to condensed matter physics, expand a bit more beyond what has been covered in the class, or write a summary of what you found interesting, or make connections to topics in your major/research.

    • AI language model policy: You are allowed to work with ChatGPT to prepare your final paper. See more at How to use ChatGPT for your final paper?

  • Final paper format: PDF file. Title, your name, introduction, …, summary, reference. Paper length: about 4 pages (PRL length) or around 4000 words.

  • Final paper deadline: March 24th (the end of the quarter).

Textbooks

The lecture will closely follow this book:

[1] Steven H. Simon, The Oxford Solid State Basics. Oxford University Press. (2013)

Lecture Notes

As a UCSD student, you have free access to Mathematica (see how).

Part 0. Introduction (Mathematica) (PDF)

• Introduction
  • What is Condensed Matter Physics?
  • Why do we Study Condensed Matter Physics?
  • Central Themes of Condensed Matter Physics

Part 1. Atomic System (Mathematica) (PDF)

• Crystal Geometry
  • Crystal Formation
  • Lattice Structure
  • Reciprocal Lattice
  • Scattering Experiment
  • Summary
• Phonon
  • Lattice Vibration
  • Specific Heat of Solid
  • Stability of Crystal Order

Part 2. Electronic System (Mathematica) (PDF)

• Electrons in Solids
  • Quantum Mechanics of Electrons
  • 1D Electronic Systems
  • 2D Electronic Systems
  • General Theory of Electrons in Crystals
• Properties of Metals
  • Thermodynamic Properties
  • Transport Properties