Electronic Properties of Advanced Materials
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course aims to introduce students to the electronic properties of advanced materials, emphasizing the deep interconnection between structure, thermodynamics, defect chemistry, and the electronic and magnetic properties of solids of scientific and technological interest. To this end, fundamental concepts of solid-state matter, its properties, and the experimental techniques used to investigate them will be presented.
Expected learning outcomes
Students will develop a strong understanding of symmetry in solids and the structure of major families of inorganic materials. They will gain insight into the thermodynamics of point and extended defects, as well as the electronic and magnetic properties of solids, with particular emphasis on topological materials and phenomena such as electronic localization, superconductivity, and collective magnetic, electric, and elastic ordering.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Structure of solids: Symmetries in crystalline solids using the Hermann-Mauguin notation. Space groups using the International Tables of Crystallography. Classification of the main families of inorganic solids. Structure and thermodynamics in glasses.
Defects in solids: Classification of point defects in metals, semiconductors and crystalline compounds. Their influence on the physical properties of solids (structure, charge transport, magnetism). Atomic diffusion mechanisms. Measurements of ionic conductivity. Introduction to one- and two-dimensional defects
Electrons in solids: band structure; electronic correlation phenomena and localization. Symmetry breaking. Berry phase, curvature, topological phases, topological insulators.
Magnetic properties of solids: fundamentals of magnetism, atomic origin of magnetism, ferromagnetism, ferrimagnetism, antiferromagnetism, magneto-crystalline anisotropy, magnetoresistance and data storage. Magnetic moment measurement (SQUID) and EPR spectroscopy
Magnetoresistive materials, and with ferroic properties such as ferro-magnetic, ferro-electric and ferro-elastic.
Defects in solids: Classification of point defects in metals, semiconductors and crystalline compounds. Their influence on the physical properties of solids (structure, charge transport, magnetism). Atomic diffusion mechanisms. Measurements of ionic conductivity. Introduction to one- and two-dimensional defects
Electrons in solids: band structure; electronic correlation phenomena and localization. Symmetry breaking. Berry phase, curvature, topological phases, topological insulators.
Magnetic properties of solids: fundamentals of magnetism, atomic origin of magnetism, ferromagnetism, ferrimagnetism, antiferromagnetism, magneto-crystalline anisotropy, magnetoresistance and data storage. Magnetic moment measurement (SQUID) and EPR spectroscopy
Magnetoresistive materials, and with ferroic properties such as ferro-magnetic, ferro-electric and ferro-elastic.
Prerequisites for admission
No prerequisites requested. A basic knowledge of symmetry, diffraction and band theory is welcome. However these concepts will be described in an extended form in the course. The same can be found also in the following courses: Cristallochimica, Strutturistica chimica and/or Hard Condensed Matter
Teaching methods
The course is organized through a series of lectures using both slides and the blackboard.
Teaching Resources
Slides supplied by the teacher; in addition, selected chapters (suggested by the teacher) of the following text books:
- "Solid State Chemistry and its applications", Anthony R. West, Wiley India ed. 2007
- "Magnetic Materials", N. Spaldin, Cambridge University Press, 2006
- "The Electronic Structure and Chemistry of solids" P.A. Cox, Oxford Univ. Press
-"Modern Condensed Matter Physics" Steven M. Girvin, Kun Yang
- "Solid State Chemistry and its applications", Anthony R. West, Wiley India ed. 2007
- "Magnetic Materials", N. Spaldin, Cambridge University Press, 2006
- "The Electronic Structure and Chemistry of solids" P.A. Cox, Oxford Univ. Press
-"Modern Condensed Matter Physics" Steven M. Girvin, Kun Yang
Assessment methods and Criteria
The examination is oral, in general 30-40 minutes long, and consists of open questions on topics discussed in classroom lectures. Discussions during the exam will help to figure out the student's skill level. The evaluation is expressed in thirty.
CHIM/02 - PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY - University credits: 6
Lessons: 48 hours
Professors:
Martinazzo Rocco, Scavini Marco
Professor(s)
Reception:
from Monday to Thursday from 9.00 am to 05.00 pm, by appointment via email
videoconference or Chemistry Dept., wing C, ground floor, room R020