SC641: Solid State Systems and Control (2019-20)

SC641: Solid State Systems and Control (2019-20)

Course Name: Solid State Systems and Control 

Course Code: SC641

Course Instructor: Prof. Navin Khaneja 

Credits: 6

Course Type: Institute Elective (Theory)

Prerequisites: Informal - QM1, Intro to CMP, QM2,(Perturbation Theory). No formal pre-requisites but these are highly recommended.

Course Content: Localized Electron Waves
Bonding in Solids Phonons in Solids Electrons in periodic Potential Electronic Devices Superconductivity Electrons in Magnetic Fields Magnetism

Useful Books: Main textbook: “Solid State Physics, A wavepacket approach”, Navin Khaneja. It is available in preprint version on the Prof's website The following are additional references 1. C. Kittel, “Introduction to Solid State Physics”, 8th Edition, John Wiley and Sons (2005). 2. N. W. Ashcroft and D. Mermin, “Solid State Physics”, Harcourt College Publishers (1976). 3. Steve Simon, “Oxford Solid State Basics”, Oxford University Press (2013)

Lectures: No attendance policy, Slides used (but followed the textbook), while the lectures can get a bit monotonous, it pays to focus on the main ideas that connect different concepts. It helps make the maths much more intuitive.

Assignments/Tutorials: Easy-Medium assignments and question papers. The exams don't test nuances and covering the syllabus and doing the assignments can take you a long way.

Exams and Grading: Midsem - 25% Endsem - 40% Assignments - 35% (homework questions given in advance and due every fortnight or so)

Online Study Material: Google is your best friend

Advanced Follow-up courses: All superconductivity and solid state physics courses

Pro tips: Discuss any and every doubt with the prof. He is extremely knowledgeable and loves to clarify any doubts you may have. As it is an ALC, the prof does not focus on the grading or scoring part. He has a different approach to discussing solid states physics which is quite insightful.

Respondent: Ajinkya Werulkar