The Andromeda Galaxy (M31) and the Moon in collage. The relative sizes on the sky are correct. Click on image for more information. Credit: REU program, N.A.Sharp /NOAO / AURA/ NSF.

Course Web Site and Preliminary Syllabus

Condensed Matter Physics

University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), 2013 Fall, Robert L. Bigelow Physics (BPB) 217. F 1:00--2:00, 3 hours, 3 credit hours.

Instructor: Tao Pang

Date and time: , . Sections and Links

1. Course Mottos
2. Lectures
3. Course Resource Sites
4. Astro Images
5. University sites of interest

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Course Mottos

Don't Panic.
This is so cool.
Unchain your inner nerd.
In science, we are slaves to the truth---only error can set us free.


Very reassuring I think.

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Lectures

Our readings will be from Introduction to Condensed Matter Physics (2006) by Antonio H. Castro Neto. See also Antonio H. Castro Neto, Graphene Research Centre.

We plan to do one chapter per week. We read a chapter alone and meet to discuss and work through problems.

There is another online book Elementary Condensed Matter Physics (2003) by Antonio H. Castro Neto which is somewhat longer.

1. Atoms and Molecules: Castro Neto, p. 7--26
   Homewk 1, Solution 1
   References:
   
   1. Wikipedia:
   2. Wikipedia: Atoms
   3. Wikipedia: Molecules
   4. Wikipedia: Proton-to-electron mass ratio m_p/m_e = 1,836.15267245(75) = 1836 ...
   5. Wikipedia: Quantum Mechanics

2. Crystals: Castro Neto, p. 27--44
   Homewk 2, Solution 2
   References:
   
   1. Wikipedia:
   2. Wikipedia: Atoms
   3. Wikipedia: Molecules
   4. Wikipedia: Proton-to-electron mass ratio m_p/m_e = 1,836.15267245(75) = 1836 ...
   5. Wikipedia: Quantum Mechanics

3. Elasticity Theory: Castro Neto, p. 45--54
   Homewk 3, Solution 3
   References:
   
   1. Wikipedia:
   2. Wikipedia: Atoms
   3. Wikipedia: Molecules
   4. Wikipedia: Proton-to-electron mass ratio m_p/m_e = 1,836.15267245(75) = 1836 ...
   5. Wikipedia: Quantum Mechanics

4. Atoms and Phonons: Castro Neto, p. 55--74
   Homewk 4, Solution 4
   References:
   
   1. Wikipedia:
   2. Wikipedia: Atoms
   3. Wikipedia: Molecules
   4. Wikipedia: Proton-to-electron mass ratio m_p/m_e = 1,836.15267245(75) = 1836 ...
   5. Wikipedia: Quantum Mechanics

5. Electrons in Solids: Castro Neto, p. 75--94
   Homewk 5, Solution 5
   References:
   
   1. Wikipedia:
   2. Wikipedia: Atoms
   3. Wikipedia: Molecules
   4. Wikipedia: Proton-to-electron mass ratio m_p/m_e = 1,836.15267245(75) = 1836 ...
   5. Wikipedia: Quantum Mechanics

6. Free Electron Gas: Castro Neto, p. 95--122
   Homewk 6, Solution 6
   References:
   
   1. Wikipedia:
   2. Wikipedia: Atoms
   3. Wikipedia: Molecules
   4. Wikipedia: Proton-to-electron mass ratio m_p/m_e = 1,836.15267245(75) = 1836 ...
   5. Wikipedia: Quantum Mechanics

7. Disordered Electronic Systems: Castro Neto, p. 123--134
   Homewk 7, Solution 7
   References:
   
   1. Gerd Bergmann, WEAK LOCALIZATION IN THIN FILMS, PHYSICS REPORTS (Review Section of Physics Letters) 107, No. 1 (1984) 1.58. North
   2. Wikipedia:
   3. Wikipedia: Atoms
   4. Wikipedia: Molecules
   5. Wikipedia: Proton-to-electron mass ratio m_p/m_e = 1,836.15267245(75) = 1836 ...
   6. Wikipedia: Quantum Mechanics

8. Semiconductors: Castro Neto, p. 135--144
   Homewk 8, Solution 8
   References:
   
   1. Wikipedia:
   2. Wikipedia: Atoms
   3. Wikipedia: Molecules
   4. Wikipedia: Proton-to-electron mass ratio m_p/m_e = 1,836.15267245(75) = 1836 ...
   5. Wikipedia: Quantum Mechanics

9. Electron-Phonon Interactions: Castro Neto, p. 145--166
   Homewk 9, Solution 9
   References:
   
   1. Wikipedia:
   2. Wikipedia: Atoms
   3. Wikipedia: Molecules
   4. Wikipedia: Proton-to-electron mass ratio m_p/m_e = 1,836.15267245(75) = 1836 ...
   5. Wikipedia: Quantum Mechanics

10. Magnetism: Castro Neto, p. 167--206
    Homewk 10, Solution 10
    References:
    
    1. Wikipedia:
    2. Wikipedia: Atoms
    3. Wikipedia: Molecules
    4. Wikipedia: Proton-to-electron mass ratio m_p/m_e = 1,836.15267245(75) = 1836 ...
    5. Wikipedia: Quantum Mechanics

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Course Resource Sites

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Astro Images

1. Alien mesmerized by words.

2. But as Dorothy said, there's no place like home.

3. Earthrise from Apollo 11, 1969jul16. Credit: NASA.

4. Well not quite.

5. Beware of aliens bearing grades.

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