Condensed Matter Physics II (PH41017)

Semester: Spring 2020-21

Broad Syllabus: Review CMP I, Optical properties, Magnetism, Superfluidity, Superconductivity. Quantum Hall Effect. To be specified later: Very introductory account of other advanced topics.

Prerequisite: Motivation and willingness to learn. Rest is secondary.

Team: Vishwanath Shukla (Instructor); Sudip Das (TA); Dipanwita Mitra (TA); Maheswar Maji (TA).

Textbooks:

  1. Solid State Physics. N. W. Ashcroft, N. D. Mermin. Cengage Learning
  2. The Oxford Solid State Basics. Steven H. Simon. Oxford University Press.
  3. Magnetism in Condensed Matter. S. Blundell. Oxford University Press.
  4. Superconductivity, Superfluidity and Condensates. J. F. Annett. Oxford University Press.

Lecture notes will be made available to you. However, I recommend that you read books as well.

Grading Policy: Continuous evaluation mechanism, as suggested by the Institute. 

Below is a tentative list of activities planned for this course.

  1. Participation in the (online) classroom activities.
  2. Assignments and quizzes: Roughly 4 assignments [weightage 40%].
  3. Tests: (i) Test T1 [Weightage 20 %]; (ii) Test T2A [weightage 20%] + Test T2B [weightage 20%] OR Test T2A [weightage 20%] + Mini-project [weightage 20%].
  4. Bonus marks problems (BMP), depending on your interest and willingness to do additional labour [weightage 10% over and above the maximum points]. 
  5. Freedom to choose your own topics for the mini-project. Choice of the BMP topic is completely yours.

Summary: Assignments 40% + Tests (including optional mini-project) 60% = 100%. BMP 10 %.