Part One I › Division II II › Section 125 125

The Solid State of Matter

Subject Outline

ACrystals and crystallography
- 1Patterns of atoms in crystals
  - aThe three-dimensional periodic arrangement of atoms in crystals: crystal planes and their notation
  - bSymmetry considerations in the classification of crystal systems
- 2Diffraction of X rays, electrons, and neutrons by crystal structures
- 3Processes of crystal growth
  - aTheoretical aspects of crystal growth: energy considerations, growth of eutectics, constitutional supercooling, nucleation
  - bPreparation of crystals: monocomponent and polycomponent crystal growth
- 4Imperfections and dislocations in crystalline materials and their effects on the properties of the crystals
- 5Effects of temperature, pressure, and alloying on the strength and hardness of crystals
BThe theory of the crystalline solid state
- 1The classification of solids according to their electronic structure and bonding: ionic solids, covalent solids, metallic solids, molecular solids, hydrogen-bonded solids
- 2The arrangement of atoms in crystalline solids [see A.1.a., above]
- 3The elastic and plastic properties of solids
- 4The thermal and thermodynamic properties of solids: specific heat, thermal conductivity
- 5The electronic structure of solids
  - aThe nature and mobility of electrons in conductors, insulators, and semiconductors
  - bElectron emission: thermionic emission, photoelectric emission, field emission
  - cThe nearly free electron approximation
  - dThe energy-band theory of the solid state
- 6The principal types of magnetic behaviour exhibited by solids: paramagnetism, diamagnetism, ferromagnetism
- 7The interaction of light with solids
  - aThe behaviour of solids illuminated with radiation: reflection, absorption, or transmission of photons
  - bThe generation of electromagnetic radiation from the energy supplied to the solid
  - cThe photoelectric effect
CIonic crystals
- 1Bonding in ionic crystals
- 2The structure of ionic crystals
  - aPerfect ionic crystals
  - bDefects in ionic crystals: Frenkel defect, Schottky defect, colour centres
- 3Properties of ionic crystals
  - aVibrational and electronic properties
  - bThermal properties
  - cPolarizing and diffusion properties and the nature of ionic conduction
  - dOptical properties
DMetals
- 1Structural aspects of metals and alloys
- 2Elementary description of metals: the use of the free electron model to explain thermal and electrical conductivity of metals
- 3The electronic structure of metals and related effects
  - aThe interaction between the periodic lattice and the conduction electrons: the weak pseudopotential
  - bElectron motion in a magnetic field and conduction-related effects
- 4Band structure and properties of metal groups: alkali metals, semimetals, noble metals, transition metals
- 5Lattice vibrations: interaction between ions; interaction between electrons, phonons, and dispersion
- 6Metal surface phenomena: thermionic and field emission of electrons, electron tunnelling, photoemission, free carrier absorption and interband transitions
- 7Many-body effects: plasma oscillations, spin waves, Fermi liquid theory, dynamic effects and shake-off electrons
- 8Superconductivity in metals
  - aThermal properties of superconductors: transition temperature, specific heat and thermal conductivity, energy gaps
  - bMagnetic and electromagnetic properties of superconductors: critical field, Meissner effect, phase coherence effects
- 9Magnetic phenomena in metals: diamagnetism, paramagnetism, ferromagnetism, antiferromagnetism, nuclear magnetic resonance
ESemiconductors and insulators
- 1General properties of semiconductors and insulators
- 2Mechanisms of conduction: mobility of charged particles and electrons in solids
- 3Electrical conduction in semiconductors
  - aChemical approach: impurity conduction, hopping process
  - bPhysical approach: energy band and gaps, lattice vibrations, statistical properties
  - cExtrinsic and intrinsic semiconductors
  - dMeasurement of conductivity and of energy gaps
- 4Principles involved in semiconductor applications
  - aOptical effects: photoelectric effect, photovoltaic effect, luminescence
  - bElectrical and related effects: hot electron effects, thermoelectric effects
  - cJunction effects
  - dPressure and stress effects
FThe glassy or amorphous state of matter
- 1Effects of temperature and composition on glass properties
- 2The structure of glass