Module manager: Prof Oscar Cespedes
Email: O.Cespedes@Leeds.ac.u
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2026/27
Level 2 Physics or equivalent
PHYS3393
This module is not approved as a discovery module
This module explores the influence of quantum phenomena on the physics and electronic properties of condensed matter systems, including the physics and operation of semiconductors and superconductors.
At the end of this module you should be able to:
- discuss and evaluate the effects of the periodic lattice on electrons within a solid
- describe the physics of phonons (quantised lattice vibrations) and their effect in common material physics such as heat capacity and conductivity
- calculate scattering rates for electrons in metallic conductors due to phonons, impurities an electron interactions (Fermi liquid);
- understand the concept and physics of electronic quasiparticles.
- describe the principles of operation and calculate current voltage characteristics for simple semiconductor devices and lasers;
- use the physical principles for semiconductors to perform basic conceptual designs of electronic devices
- account for differences to the bulk, and perform calculations of, electron transport in nanoscale conductors and systems of reduced dimensionality.
- apply the knowledge in low dimensional physics to current research in the Quantum Hall effect, plasmon resonance and Coulomb blockade.
- describe the phenomenology and classical understanding of superconductivity.
Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge, understanding and application of:
1. The physics of phonons and their contribution to the thermal and electronic properties of materials.
2. Electron interactions (e.g. Fermi liquid) and scattering mechanisms.
3. The origin of effects observed in, and applications of, semiconductors in device physics; e.g. diodes, solar cells, light-emitting diodes, lasers and introduction to transistors.
4. Molecular orbital levels and electron hopping transport in organic semiconductors for e.g. photovoltaics.
5. Nanoscale effects such as optical and electron transport properties of low dimensional systems.
6. Basic Electronic structure and phenomenology of Dirac materials
7. London equations and Cooper pairs; origin of the physics of superconductors.
Skills Learning Outcomes
A) Understanding of the connections between electronic structure and the properties of metal and semiconducting materials as they are applied in technology, sustainability etc.
B) Changes to the physics of materials introduced by low-dimensions and quantum effects.
C) Present scientific concepts, and results either orally or in extended formal scientific English with illustrations and figures and references to literature sources as necessary.
- Phonons: Dispersion relation, Einstein and Debye's models, contribution to the heat capacity and thermal conductivity of insulators.
- Components in the electrical and thermal resistivity of metals.
- Electron-electron interaction: screening effect and the Fermi liquid.
- Physics of semiconducting devices.
- The 2-dimensional electron gas and the quantum Hall effect.
- Quantum transport and optical effects in quasi 1- and zero-dimensional structures such as the Coulomb blockade and quantisation of the electrical resistivity in 1-dimensional structures.
- Introduction to Dirac materials such as topological insulators.
- Introduction to superconductivity.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Workshop | 11 | 1 | 11 |
| Lectures | 33 | 1 | 33 |
| Private study hours | 156 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 44 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
Private Study Time is 156 hours.
Feedback on exercise sheets, workshops and homework.
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 30/04/2026
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