Course detail

Solid State Physics

FEKT-MFPFAcad. year: 2019/2020

Basic concepts of quantum and atomic physics. Structure of solids. Crystal lattice. Band theory of solids. Electric charge transport. Surface and interface of solids. Electromangetic waves in crystals. Crystal optics in external fields. Semiconductor sources and detectors of radiation. Lasers. Nanostructures. Nonlinear optical phenomena. Photonic crystals. Superconductivity.

Learning outcomes of the course unit

The student is able to:
- explain the behavior of an electron in a potential well and a potential barrier,
- describe the basic properties of atoms,
- describe the crystal structure of solids and explain the formation of energy bands,
- describe the drift and diffusion in solids,
- compute the mobility of charge carriers from the experimental data,
- compute the lifetime of minority carriers and the diffusion length of minority carriers from the experimental data,
- apply the continuity equation and Poisson's equation,
- describe the basic types of generation and recombination processes in semiconductors,
- describe the formation and properties of a PN junction and a metal-semiconductor junction,
- describe the behavior of electromagnetic waves in crystals,
- describe a LED, a photodiode, a solar cell and a CCD sensor,
- explain the generation of coherent radiation in lasers,
- describe the basic nanostructures and their applications (quantum wells, wires, dots, a single light emitting diode, a single photon detector),
- explain the nonlinear optical phenomena,
- describe the basic types of photonic crystals and their applications,
- describe the phenomenon of superconductivity and its basic applications.


The student who enrols in the course should be able to use the Cartesian coordinate system, should operate to solve simple cases of uniform motion and uniformly accelerated motion, Newton's laws and the laws of conservation of energy and momentum. He should be able to describe the basic structure of matter at the atomic level, further to explain the term of the electric charge, the electric current. He should be able to use the basic quantities describing the electric and magnetic fields and to assess the impact of these fields on the movement of electric charge. He should be able to describe the oscillating mechanical harmonic motion and to explain the mechanical progressive wave. He should be able to apply the basic laws of geometrical optics (the laws of reflection and refraction) for solving rays of light propagation. Students should be familiar with the mathematical apparatus at the level of basic work with vectors, differentiation and integration of scalar and vector functions of a scalar argument. Generally, the knowledge on the technical university bachelor degree level is required.


Not applicable.

Recommended optional programme components

Not applicable.

Recommended or required reading

KITTEL, CH. Introduction to Solid State Physics. 7th ed. Wiley, 1996. (EN)
SINGH, J. Physics of Semiconductors and Their Hetero-structures. McGraw-Hill, 1993. (EN)
SEEGER, K. Semiconductor Physics. Springer Verlag, 1997. (EN)
DAVIES, J. H. The Physics of Low-dimensional Semiconductors. Cambridge University Press, 1998. (EN)
KELLY, M. J.: Low-dimensional Semiconductors. Clarendon Press, 1995. (EN)
RUNYAN, W. R.; SHAFNER, T. J. Semiconductor Measurements and Instrumentation. McGraw-Hill, 1997. (EN)
SCHRODER, D. K. Semiconductor Material and Devices Characterization. Wiley, 1998. (EN)
FRANK, H. Fyzika a technika polovodičů. SNTL, 1990. (CS)
MIŠEK, J.; KUČERA, L.; KORTÁN, J. Polovodičové zdroje optického záření. SNTL, 1988. (CS)

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Techning methods include lectures and practical laboratories. Course is taking advantage of e-learning (Moodle) system. Students have to write five homeworks during the course.

Assesment methods and criteria linked to learning outcomes

Students can obtain up to:
- 25 points from the semester project (solving of given problems or elaboration of a given topic)
- 20 points from laboratories (6 reports),
- 55 points from the exam (a written part of 35 points and a verbal part of 20 points).
Students must obtain at least 10 points in the written part to proceed to the verbal part.
Students must obtain at least 5 points in the verbal part to pass the exam.
The exam is focused on the verification of basic knowledge in the field of electrical and optical properties of solids, including solving of selected problems.

Language of instruction


Work placements

Not applicable.

Course curriculum

1) Basic concepts of quantum and atomic physics. Schrödinger equation, particles and waves, potential wells and barriers, energy quantization, hydrogen atom, some of the properties of atoms.
2) Structure of solids. Crystalline solids, crystal lattice, crystallographic system, crystal lattice defects, lattice vibrations.
3) Band theory of solids. Formation of energy bands, effective mass, distribution function, density of states, charge carrier concentration, Fermi level, metals, semiconductors and insulators.
4) Transport phenomena in semiconductors. Boltzmann transport equation, drift, electrical conductivity, relaxation time, scattering mechanisms, mobility, Hall effect, magnetoresistance, thermoelectric, Peltier effect, thermomagnetic phenomena, diffusion.
5) Semiconductor in non-equilibrium state. Ambipolar mobility, Poisson's equation, diffusion length, generation and recombination of carriers, recombination centers, traps, photoelectric properties.
6) Inhomogeneous semiconductor systems. Homogeneous and heterogeneous junctions, capacity, VA characteristic, breakdowns, metal-semiconductor contact.
7) Electromagnetic waves in solids. Origin and properties of electromagnetic waves, interaction with solids, waves in crystals, optical properties in external electric and magnetic fields.
8) Semiconductor sources and detectors of radiation. Radiative and nonradiative recombination, mechanisms of radiation excitation, LED, photodiode, solar cell, CCD sensor.
9) Lasers. Generation of coherent radiation, stimulated emission, types of lasers, gas, solid state, semiconductor lasers.
10) Nanostructures. Quantum wells, wires, dots, single light emitting diode, single photon detector, quantum computer.
11) Nonlinear optical phenomena. Optical fibers, nonlinear environment, nonlinear phenomena of the second and third-order, light scattering.
12) Photonic crystals. Principle, features, one-dimensional and two-dimensional crystal, defects, applications.
13) Superconductivity. Origin of superconductivity, types of superconductivity, high-temperature superconductivity, applications, Josephson effect, quantum Hall effect.


The objective is to provide students with knowledge of selected electrical and optical properties of solids, including examples of a wide range of interesting applications. Practical knowledge will be verified in the laboratory exercises.

Specification of controlled education, way of implementation and compensation for absences

Laboratory exercises are compulsory, properly excused missed labs can be compensate after consultation with the teacher.

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme EEKR-M1 Master's

    branch M1-TIT , 1. year of study, summer semester, 5 credits, theoretical subject

  • Programme EEKR-CZV lifelong learning

    branch ET-CZV , 1. year of study, summer semester, 5 credits, theoretical subject

Type of course unit



39 hours, optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

Laboratory exercise

13 hours, compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer