Macquarie University

Atomic and Solid-State Physics - PHYS303

This unit gives an understanding of the fundamentals of atomic physics that lead to the unique energy-level diagram (and consequent unique spectrum of frequencies of electromagnetic radiation that can be emitted and/or absorbed) for each atom in the periodic table. Hydrogen is a particularly important atom in this context because its theoretical description is the most complete of any atom. When many atoms are very close together in a crystalline solid, discrete energy levels form into bands in the solid. This band structure determines many properties of the resulting solid, depending on the atomic arrangement, and is at the heart of how solids can be exploited, for example in semiconductor devices. Specific topics covered include: revision of wave mechanics; solution of the 1D and 3D Schrodinger equations; the physics of the hydrogen atom; magnetic dipole moments; spin and transition rates; properties of multi-electron atoms: modern methods of atom manipulation: revision of Fourier transforms; crystalline structure; bonding; lattice vibrations; lattice thermal energy; electrons in metals; band theory of solids; free-electron model; tight-binding model; semiconductors; and semiconductor device physics.

Timetable Information

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