Last updated: December 12, 2007

Notes:

(1)  A PRACTICE FINAL EXAM (from last year) has been posted here.

(2)  The mid-term exam is scheduled for Tuesday, November 6 during regular class hours.

A calculator and one page of notes are allowed. A sample mid-term from last year is posted here

 

COURSE ORGANIZATION:

Time: Tuesday & Thursday, 5:00 – 6:20 pm, Location: 147, Sequoyah Hall

Instructor: Professor Prab Bandaru, Room 258, EBU 2

                     E-mail: pbandaru@ucsd.edu, Office hours: Thursday 11:30 am – 12:30 pm, Room 258 EBU 2

Students are encouraged to talk to the instructor, by appointment, with concerns or problems.

Prerequisites: Undergraduate electromagnetics and quantum mechanics, Calculus and differential equations. Please talk to the instructor with any concerns.

Textbooks: Both of these are available at the UCSD bookstore

Required:

(1) Electronic Properties of Materials, Rolf E. Hummel (Author)

Publisher: Springer Verlag; 3rd edition (December 2000)
ISBN: 038795144X

(2) Optical Properties of Solids, Mark Fox (Author)

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 2001

ISBN: 0-19-850612-0


References:

The following books are excellent references if you are working in the field of electronic properties of nanostructures.

They involve a more advanced mathematical treatment of the topics than in the book by Hummel.

 

(1) The Physics of Low-dimensional Semiconductors: An Introduction, John H. Davies (Author)
Publisher: Cambridge University Press; (December 13, 1997)                     

 

(2) Band Theory and Electronic Properties of Solids, John Singleton (Author)

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 2001

 

(3) Introduction to Solid State Physics, Charles Kittel (Author)

Publisher: John Wiley, 8th edition, 2005

Additional readings will also be posted.

 

Course Objectives: This course is the first in a two-part sequence which aims to give an advanced introduction to the materials science principles underlying electronic, photonic and magnetic materials.  These principles lie at the heart of modern micro-electronic technology, optical communications and magnetic storage. We will tie in these concepts to anticipated advances in nano-science/-technology. At the end of the class, students should have a conceptual understanding of the following:

1.  The concept of band structure as a unifying theme in electronic, photonic, and magnetic materials

2.  An understanding of Fermi energy and density of states in one-, two-, and three dimensions

3.  Electrical properties due to electrons and phonons in metals, semiconductors, ceramics, organic, and amorphous materials e.g., Electrical and Thermal conductivity

4.  The origin and explanation of optical properties (Reflection, Absorption and Transmission) in various classes of materials, the concepts of photonic band gap crystals

5.  The principles underlying quantum-/nano- wires, quantum dots and their application

 

Evaluation & Grading

 

            Weekly homework & Quizzes                20 %,                                               Midterm exam             20 %

Project & Class presentation                   30 %                                                Final exam                   30 %

 

 

Home work: Problem sets will be assigned every Thursday, each week, and collected the next Thursday during class.

 

No late homework will be accepted, except with prior permission from the instructor.  Solutions to the homework sets will be posted on the class website.

 

Lecture policy: Attendance is expected, and class participation encouraged. All the material presented in the class is fair game on the quizzes and examinations. 

 

Examinations: Exams will be closed book, only a formula sheet will be allowed for all examinations.  The Final will be comprehensive.

 

Tentative exam dates:       Mid-term exam               Tuesday, November 6, 5 – 6:20 pm

                                                Final                             Friday, December 14, 2007 (7 pm – 10 pm)

 

Academic Integrity: A zero tolerance policy towards academic dishonesty will be enforced. Academic misconduct includes but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism and collusion (please see webpage for the more detailed explanation) and a failing grade (F) will be awarded. Cheating will be dealt with very harshly, and reported.

 

You are encouraged to read the official campus policy: http://www-senate.ucsd.edu/manual/appendices/app2.htm#AP14, and look at this website: http://weber.ucsd.edu/~dkjordan/resources/cheat.htm. Please speak with the instructor if you have any concerns.