Professor: Dr. Anthony Nunes
Semester: Spring
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: PHY 451 and MTH 243.

Catalog Description:Crystal structure, thermal, electrical, and magnetic properties of solids. Electron gas theory of metals, band theory of solids. Semiconductors.

Upon completion, successful students will be able to:

• Solve analytical and numerical problems related to solid state physics

This course meets three times per week for lecture. Topics covered in this course include:

• Crystal Structure
• Wave Diffraction and the Reciprocal Lattice
• Crystal Binding and Elastic Constants
• Phonons (I. Crystal Vibrations, II. Thermal Properties)
• Free Electron Fermi Gas
• Energy Bands

Grades are based on the following criteria:

• Homework
• Independent Student Project
• Unit Exams (3)
• Final Exam

http://www.phys.uri.edu/people/nunes.html

The concepts of solid state physics learned in this course will help students understand equipment used in medical and biological physics. For example, it is needed to understand the nature of x-ray crystallography, which is used often in analyzing proteins. This course also introduces information pertaining to nanotechnology, a field that has many applications in cancer therapy.

http://www.eserc.stonybrook.edu/projectjava/bragg/
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/solids/trans.html