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327-0506-01L 3 Credits BSC , MSC D-MATL , D-PHYS
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Materials Physics II

Lecturers & Examiners: Prof. Dr. Pietro Gambardella
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:41:24

Abstract

This course provides physical foundations to understand the response of different classes of materials to electromagnetic fields, focusing on the dielectric, optical, and magnetic properties of materials, and on the basic functioning of devices that exploit such properties, including photodiodes, photovoltaic cells, LEDs, laser diodes, permanent magnet motors, transformers, and magnetic memories.

Objective

This course aims at giving a deepened understanding of physical phenomena relevant to Materials Science.

Content

PART I: Introduction to the dielectric properties of matter Microscopic origin of dipoles in matter: Electronic, ionic, molecular polarization. Electric field inside and outside dielectric materials. Connection between macroscopic and microscopic polarization. Dielectric breakdown. PART II: Interaction of electromagnetic waves with matter The EM spectrum. Electromagnetic waves in vacuum; Energy, momentum, and angular momentum of EM waves; Sources of EM radiation; EM waves in matter. The refractive index. Transmission, Reflection, and Refraction from a microscopic point of view. Optical anisotropy, Optical activity, Dichroism. Optical Materials: Crystalline Insulators and Semiconductors, Glasses, Metals Photonic devices: Photodiodes, Photovoltaic cells, LEDs, Laser diodes PART III: Magnetism Magnetostatics: Classical concepts. Microscopic origin of magnetism. Diamagnetism, paramagnetism, ferromagnetism. Magnetic materials and applications.

Resources

Lecture Notes

Lectures and script will be in English.Lecture notes can be downloaded athttp://www.intermag.mat.ethz.ch/education.html

Literature

Electromagnetism and dielectric properties: E.M. Purcell and D.J. Morin, Electricity and Magnetism (Cambridge U. Press, 2013) Optics and optical materials: E. Hecht, Optics (Lehmanns) ; M. Fox, Optical Properties of Solids (Oxford U. Press) Photonic Devices: Simon Sze, Physics of Semiconductor Devices (Wiley) Magnetism: J.M.D. Coey, Magnetism and magnetic materials (Cambridge U. Press, 2010). General: C. Kittel, Introduction to Solid State Physics (Wiley, 2005), also available in German.

General Information

Language
English
Levels
BSC , MSC
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
end-of-semester examination
The exam can be done in German or English at the choice of the candidates.Hilfsmittel: Taschenrechner

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture Materials Physics II
  • Tue 14:45-16:30 (HPH G 2)
2 h weekly
exercise Materials Physics II
  • Mon 11:45-12:30 (HCP E 47.3)
  • Mon 11:45-12:30 (HCP E 47.4)
1 h weekly

Offered In

  • Materials Science Bachelor
  • Physics Master
    • Electives
      • General Electives (Students may choose General Electives from the entire course programme of ETH Zurich - with the following restrictions: courses that belong to the first or second year of a Bachelor curriculum at ETH Zurich as well as courses from GESS "Science in Perspective" are not eligible here. The following courses are explicitly recommended to physics students by their lecturers. (Courses in this list may be assigned to the category "General Electives" directly in myStudies. For the category assignment of other eligible courses keep the choice "no category" and take contact with the Study Administration ( ) after having received the credits.))