modules

This module will explain how electrons, and other waves, propagate within crystalline materials and affect their properties. The properties of periodic structures are discussed, particularly the relationship between real space and reciprocal space and the representation of elastic and inelastic scattering in both spaces. Both phonons and electrons are profoundly influenced by the crystal structure in which they propagate. The last section of this module considers the transport of electrons in the free-electron and nearly-free-electron approximations, which give a good description of the behaviour of electrons in metals and semiconductors. The vibrational excitations of the crystal lattice (phonons) are of particular importance to the properties of insulators.

_{Please note that all modules are subject to change, please get in touch if you have any questions about this module.}