Applied Physics 273: Solid State Physics II

Instructor: Harold Y. Hwang hyhwang@stanford.edu

Grader/resource for discussing problem sets: Varun Harbola varunh@stanford.edu

References:
Solid state physics at the intermediate to advanced level using second quantization.
• “Quantum Theory of Solids,” C. Kittel, Wiley, 1987 (“required”).
• “Intro. to Solid-State Theory,” O. Madelung, Springer, 1978 (“recommended”).

Accessible development of field theoretic techniques for solid state physics.

• “Quantum Field Theory of Solids,” H. Haken, North-Holland, 1976.

More introductory, but all concepts and main results for this course are well discussed.
• “Theory of Solids,” J. M. Ziman, Cambridge, 1972.
• “Solid State Physics,” N. W. Ashcroft and N. D. Mermin, Saunders, 1976.
• “Introduction to Solid State Physics,” C. Kittel, Wiley, 1986 (6th edition or later).

Purpose of this course:

• Introduce the concepts and techniques of quantum many body physics as applied
to solid-state physics.
• Further development of the concepts from Solid State Physics I.
• Introduction to superconductivity.

Grading: Problems sets (6; top 5 grades used); presentation (worth 2 problem sets)

Schedule (M/W 8:30 – 9:50 am, online)

https://stanford.zoom.us/j/5702719093?pwd=UFJ1enEzS0szY2pGaDhESXE0VEVNZz09
o Lectures through first ~7 weeks; then presentations in class.

Important Dates:
• October 2 (Fri, 5:00 p.m.) Final Study List deadline. Last day to add or drop a
class. Last day for tuition reassessment for dropped courses or units. Students may
withdraw from a course until the Course Withdrawal deadline and a 'W' notation
will appear on the transcript.
• November 6 (Fri, 5:00 p.m.) Change of grading basis deadline.
• November 6 (Fri, 5:00 p.m.) Course withdrawal deadline.

Problem Set Schedule (submit to varunh@stanford.edu):

• PS1, out Sept. 14, due Sept. 23
• PS2, out Sept. 23, due Oct. 5
• PS3, out Oct. 5, due Oct. 14
• PS4, out Oct. 14, due Oct. 26
• PS5, out Oct. 26, due Nov. 4
• PS6, out Nov. 4, due Nov. 16
Outline:
1. Introduction, review of quantum mechanics, occupation number representation of
bosons.
2. Acoustic phonons – classical and quantized, crystal momentum.
3. Optical phonons, Lyddane-Sachs-Teller relation, polaritons.
4. Scattering theory (structure factor, Debye-Waller, multiphonon expansion),
anharmonicity.
5. Second quantization of Fermi fields.
6. Free electron gas, Hartree and Hartree-Fock approximation.
7. Perturbation treatment of the Coulomb interaction.
8. Dielectric response of the electron gas in the random phase approximation,
Thomas-Fermi screening.
9. Plasmons, discussion of the independent electron approximation, Peierls
instability.
10. Electron-phonon interaction in ionic semiconductors.
11. Electron-phonon interaction in covalent semiconductors and metals.
12. Superconductivity – basic phenomena, attractive electron interactions, Cooper
pair.
13. BCS ground state, wavefunction, and the excitation gap.
14. Introduction to strong correlations, spin-orbit coupling, Hund's rules, direct
exchange.
15. H2 molecule (Heitler-London vs. molecular orbital), crystal fields, Jahn-Teller
effect.
16. Introduction to Mott transition, Hubbard model, and superexchange.