Program Overview

Course Overview

The course SK2758 Solid State Physics is a 7.5 credit course that introduces students to the field of solid state physics. It is given in period 1 of the autumn semester.

Information per Course Offering

The course is offered in the autumn semester of 2025 and 2026. For the autumn 2026 start, the course details are as follows:

• Course location: AlbaNova
• Duration: 24 August 2026 - 23 October 2026
• Periods: Autumn 2026: P1 (7.5 hp)
• Pace of study: 50%
• Application code: 51027
• Form of study: Normal Daytime
• Language of instruction: English
• Course memo: Not published
• Number of places: Minimum 25
• Target group: CTFYS, Optional for the master's program in technical physics

Part of Programme

The course is part of the following master's programs:

• Master's Programme, Engineering Physics, year 2, TFYG
• Master's Programme, Engineering Physics, year 1, TFYA
• Master's Programme, Engineering Physics, year 2, TFYA
• Master's Programme, Engineering Physics, year 1, TFYH
• Master's Programme, Engineering Physics, year 1, TFYG
• Master's Programme, Engineering Physics, year 2, TFYF
• Master's Programme, Nanotechnology, year 1

Contact

• Examiner: Anand Srinivasan
• Course coordinator: Anand Srinivasan
• Teachers: Anand Srinivasan, Magnus Andersson

Course Syllabus

The course syllabus is available as a PDF. The headings with content from the course syllabus are denoted with an asterisk.

Content and Learning Outcomes

Course Contents

The course introduces k-space (wave vector space) and the reciprocal lattice and its applications. The following subject content is included in the course:

• Classification of solid materials, atomic bonding
• Crystalline materials, lattice vectors, unit cells
• Reciprocal space, Brillouin zones
• X-ray diffraction, Bragg's law, von Laue equations
• Semiconductors, metals, insulators
• Lattice vibrations, phonons, heat capacity, thermal conduction in semiconductors and insulators
• The free electron model, electrical and thermal conduction in metals, the Hall effect
• Band structure, Bloch wave functions, introduction to band structure calculations

Intended Learning Outcomes

After passing the course, students should be able to:

• Describe and classify materials based on their crystal structure and atomic arrangement
• Apply the theory of X-ray scattering in reciprocal space (k-space) to determine the lattice structure of crystalline materials
• Describe the various physical mechanisms of crystal bonding
• Formulate and use basic models for lattice vibrations (phonons) to make calculations
• Formulate the properties of electrons in a periodic potential and develop a qualitative understanding of the band structure

Literature and Preparations

Specific Prerequisites

Completed course SI1155 Theoretical physics or SH1012 Modern physics. English B / English 6.

Literature

Information about course literature can be found in the course memo or in the course room in Canvas.

Examination and Completion

Grading Scale

A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

Examination

• LAB1 - Laboratory Work, 1.5 credits, grading scale: P, F
• TEN2 - Written exam, 4.5 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F
• TEN3 - Unsupervised examination, 1.5 credits, grading scale: P, F

Further Information

Course Room in Canvas

Registered students can find further information about the implementation of the course in the course room in Canvas.

Offered by

SCI/Applied Physics

Main Field of Study

Engineering Physics

Education Cycle

Second cycle

Supplementary Information

The course is given in period 1 of the autumn semester 2025.