This course has been given since 1999, and was given most recently in
2005-06.
Course Outline
This course is self-contained, and the main purposes are to:
- Establish the language of quantum mechanics as used to discuss models
of solids and clusters;
- Set up and compare both reciprocal space and real space approaches;
- Encourage an exploration of some of the computational methods, in the
context of what a starting graduate student needs to know;
- Introduce a set of problems or start a mini-project on a specific topic,
to be studied and developed by any interested student as part of the term's
work overall.
Learning Outcomes
- A secure knowledge of the terms used in this field, so that lectures, seminars, and
conference talks can be understood without difficulty;
- A facility with the means of performing computer-based calculations, and the ability
to present the results in web-based formats;
- A basis for future work in this field, either in research or using pre-prepared program
packages.
Start by consulting the timetable,
booklist and references,
tools and
web-based resources.
If you have questions during this course, please see me in person (Room 3R513) or email me at
john@venables.co.uk . I will not be
in Sussex all the time. During periods of absence, questions should be
addressed to Malcolm Heggie in the first instance. He can be found in room 3R515
or on email at
M.I.Heggie@sussex.ac.uk. Ms Irene Suarez Martinez
has recently obtained her PhD and now has a post-doctoral position in France.
The main books for the course are:
1: Electronic Structure of Materials by Adrian P. Sutton, a 1993/4 book
published by Oxford (ISBN 0-19-851754-8, paperback).
2: Bonding and Structure of Molecules and Solids by David Pettifor,
a 1995 book also published by Oxford (ISBN 0-19-851786-6, paperback).
These books are in the bookshop and in the library. We will concentrate on
Sutton and consult Pettifor and other books and articles on solids and
clusters, as set out in the
booklist and references.
I would advise you also to have access to a quantum physics or
chemistry book with which you are reasonably familiar. We may also want to
refer to more detailed books for specific methods or materials, and we
will be doing computational work which may overlap with your projects.
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