Physical Chemistry of the Solid State

Crystal structure: symmetry in solids following the Hermann-Mauguin notation. Properties of space groups. Structure classification of inorganic crystalline phases. Structure and thermodynamics of amorphous phases.
Defects in solids: point and extended defects in metals, semiconductors and compounds; their influence on the physical properties of solids (structure, charge transport, magnetic properties).
Magnetic properties of solids: basic magnetism, atomic origins of magnetism; ferromagnetism ferrimagnetism, antiferromagnetism; magnetic anisotropy, magnetoresistance; magnetic data storage
Experimental techniques for structural investigation: introduction to diffraction; principles of special relativity; synchrotron radiation and neutron sources for research; applications of X-ray powder diffraction to material science; Pair Distribution Function Analysis; Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure.
Electrons in solids: brief introduction to the band structure; electronic correlation in solids and localization phenomena: Hubbard model, polarons, Anderson Localization. Magnetoresistive and (poly)ferroic materials. Introduction to superconductivity and superconductive materials.