Phys 140B: Solid State Physics

This course is the second quarter of a two quarter sequence Physics 140A/B. It provides a thorough introduction to the concepts of Solid State Physics, whose modern name is Condensed Matter Physics because the theoretical concepts and experimental techniques are also very similar for non-solid condensed matter such as liquids, polymers, and liquid crystals.
The overriding concept is crystallinity and its consequences; one crystal structure is shown in the right panel. The periodic crystal structure provides not only a delightful example of beauty in nature, but it determines many of the physical properties of solids. For example, and completely non-crystalline solid is almost certain to be a very poor conductor of electricity or of heat.

Structure of the semiconducting compound LiBC, which is isostructural to the newly discovered (2001) superconductor MgB₂. The boron and carbon atoms form honeycomb structured sheets (like graphite) with Li⁺ ions lying between the sheets. When some (25%, say) of the Li is removed, which results in hole-doping the valence bands, this compound has been predicted to become superconducting in the range 70-100 K. "Jungle gym" Fermi surface of the intermetallic compound Mn₂VAl, colorized according to the Fermi velocity: red corresponds to 'fast electrons' while blue indicates 'slow electrons'.