PHYS 135. Condensed Matter Physics

Condensed matter physics applies the physical laws of quantum mechanics, statistical mechanics, and electromagnetism to describe the physical properties of materials. This course explores the physics of metals, insulators, semiconductors, and superconductors by examining their structure, energy bands, and thermal, magnetic, electronic, and optical properties. Topics include: crystal structure and diffraction, the reciprocal lattice and Brillouin zones, lattice vibrations and normal modes, phonon dispersions, scattering, Einstein and Debye models for specific heat, free electrons and the Fermi surface, electrons in periodic structures, the Bloch Theorem, band structure, semiclassical electron dynamics, semiconductors, magnetic and optical properties of solids, and superconductivity.
Corequisite: PHYS 113
Natural sciences and engineering.
1 credit.
Spring 2026. Smith, H.
Catalog chapter: Physics and Astronomy
Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/physics-astronomy

Access the class schedule to search for sections.