Course content

Waves: Wave function, complex notation, plane waves, spherical waves, interference and diffraction, wave equation, diffusion equation, light, dispersion, wave velocity and group velocity, wave packets, Fourier methods. Quantum mechanics: Experimental foundation, waves and particles, Schrödinger equation, particle in a box, harmonic oscillator, one-electron atom, orbitals, many-electron atoms. Basic statistical mechanics. Material science: Molecules and solid state, crystallography, bonds, electron-model of metals, band model, insulator, semiconductor and metals, semiconductors, dielectric materials, pn-junction. Semiconductor devices.

Learning outcome

The student shall have fundamental understanding about waves, quantum mechanics, atoms, molecules and solid state. Concerning waves, the knowledge should include complex notation, plane waves, spherical waves, interference, diffraction, wave equations, diffusion equation, light, dispersion, phase velocity, group velocity, wave packets, Fourier methods. Within quantum mechanics, the student should know the experimental foundations, waves and particles, Schrodinger equation, particle in box, harmonic oscillator. About atoms and molecules, the students should know one-electron atoms, orbitals, many-electron atoms. The student should be familiar with basic statistical mechanical methods in solid state physics. The student shall know the basic of crystallography and how bonds between atoms work. The student should also be familiar with the electron model of metals, insulators, semiconductors, conductors, dielectrics in solid state as well as how basic semiconductor components work.

Learning methods and activities

Lectures and compulsory exercises. 2/3 of the exercises are required to take the exam. A re-sit examination may be changed from written to oral.

Compulsory assignments

• Practice 1
• Practice 2

Recommended previous knowledge

The courses TFY4115 (or TFY4120 or TFY4125) Physics, TMA4100 Calculus 1, TMA4105 Calculus 2 and TMA4115 Calculus 3 or similar courses.

Course materials

Relevant books: Semiconductor Physics and Devices: Basic principles, D.A. Neamen; or Fundamentals of Solid State Engineering, M.Razeghi; or Fundamentals of Quantum Mechanics for solid state electronics and optics, C.L. Tang.