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

Lecturers & Examiners: Prof. Dr. Pietro Gambardella
Only for students materials science bachelor regulations 2017.
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 16:02:13

Abstract

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

Objective

This course aims at giving an understanding of physical phenomena relevant to Materials Science and, vice versa, an understanding of materials that are relevant to tailor the physical properties of electronic and optical devices.

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. PART III: Optical Materials: Crystalline Insulators and Semiconductors, Glasses, Metals. Photonic devices: Photodiodes, Photovoltaic cells, LEDs, Laser diodes

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)

General Information

Language
English
Levels
BSC
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
end-of-semester examination
Mode
written 180 minutes
Aids
Taschenrechner / Calculator
The exam can be done in German or English at the choice of the candidates.

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture Materials Physics II
Wird ausnahmsweise im HS22 im Selbststudium angeboten.
No time listed 2 h weekly
exercise Materials Physics II
Wird ausnahmsweise im HS22 im Selbststudium angeboten.
No time listed 1 h weekly

Offered In