PH5024 Modern Topics in Condensed Matter Physics

Academic year

2024 to 2025 Semester 1

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

15

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 11

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

Available only to those in the final year of an MPhys or MSci programme

Module Staff

TBC

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

This module links with ongoing research in this area in the School, and includes the rich structural and electronic phases that can be stabilised at surfaces of materials and the physics of strongly correlated electron materials. It also covers some experimental techniques commonly used to characterise these, such as quantum oscillations, angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, and scanning tunnelling microscopy and spectroscopy. There is an emphasis on developing skills in critical reading of the scientific literature, presenting relevant works in class discussions, and performing computations. Tutorial sessions will be used to provide constructive feedback on problem sheets. Full-class discussions in a journal club style will aid in developing understanding of complex topics and critical reading of research papers.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS 4 MODULES FROM {PH3061, PH3062, PH4039, PH4044} AND ( PASS 1 MODULE FROM {PH3081, PH3082} OR PASS 2 MODULES FROM {MT2506, MT2507} ) AND PASS 1 MODULE FROM {PH4037, PH4041} AND PASS 1 MODULE FROM {PH3080, PH3082}

Assessment pattern

Coursework=100% (Take-home tutorial sheets/problem sets with analytic and computational problems (40%), Journal Club presentation 30% on presentation and contributing to the discussion (answering and asking questions), Oral Examination (30%))

Re-assessment

No Re-assessment available - assignment based

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

3 x 1hr lectures x 7 weeks, 1hr tutorial x 4 weeks, 3-hr presentation sessions x 2 weeks

Scheduled learning hours

31

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

119

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Additional information from school

PH5024 – Modern Topics in Condensed Matter Physics

 

Overview

This module introduces a range of modern topics in condensed matter physics research and theory. It consists of a series of 21 lectures, practical computational examples providing a numerical approach to solving related physics problems and literature research and journal club presentation sessions covering topics of relevance in modern solid state physics research. Topics covered in this module include topologically non-trivial states, Fermi liquid theory, quantum criticality, and many body problems in condensed matter physics as well as the experimental methods to study these phenomena.

 

Aims & Objectives

The primary aim of this module is for students to gain an introduction to some of the most exciting developments of recent years in the area of condensed matter physics. Topics covered include

topology, Fermi liquid theory, quantum criticality, many body problems in condensed matter physics and experimental methods to study electronic states.

 

Learning Outcomes

  • An understanding of the topics covered in the module
  • An ability to solve problems using a variety of techniques
  • An understanding of current research topics in solid state physics
  • An ability to critically read scientific literature
  • Undertaking a literature search
  • Basic skills in numerical modelling of physics problems
  • Using a numerical model to understand the physics of a particular problem

 

Synopsis

Topics covered include:

  • Electronic states
  • Fermi liquid theory
  • Landau Levels, Quantum Hall, and Kondo Effects
  • Topology
  • Experimental probes

 

 

Additional information on continuous assessment etc.

Please note that the definitive comments on continuous assessment will be communicated within the module. The oral examination will take place within the examination weeks.

 

Recommended Books

Please view University online record:

http://resourcelists.st-andrews.ac.uk/modules/ph5024.html

 

General Information

Please also read the general information in the School's honours handbook that is available via https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/physics-astronomy/students/ug/timetables-handbooks/.