Condensed Matter Physics 1 (Independence 2026)

Objective

The aim of the course is to give an overview of the aim and scope of the field of condensed matter theory (CMP) which is to understand how microscopic constituents (atoms, electrons, ions, ...) organize themselves into different phases of matter. The approach we will take will be to learn about particularly successful theories describing solids, crystals, metals, semiconductors and magnets. Time permitting, we will also touch upon superconductivity. The subject of phase transitions (critical pheonomena) i.e. how a phase of matter transitions to another will largely not be covered.