Physics of Electrical Engineering Materials

Course objectives

• To understand the foundational concepts and principles of quantum mechanics. 2. To understand the quantum mechanical principles governing the electronic properties of solids. 3. To develop a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental laws governing electric and magnetic fields and their roles in electronic equipment. 4. To understand the dielectric and magnetic materials a nd their roles in various technological devices and systems. 5. To explore the fundamental properties and phenomena of superconductivity and diverse applications of nano - materials, in advanced technological contexts.

Course content

Fundamentals of Quantum Mechanics Inadequacy of classical mechanics, de-Broglie concept of matter waves, Davisson and Germer experiment, wave packet, phase velocity, group velocity, Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle and its applications, time-dependent and time-independent Schrodinger wave equations, particle confined in one dimensional box, wave function and its physical interpretation. Quantum Theory of Solids Free electron theory, Fermi-Dirac distribution, energy bands in solids, band gap, conductors, semiconductors and insulators, effective mass, density of states, intrinsic and extrinsic semiconductors, conductivity of semiconductors, Fermi level. Electromagnetic Field Theory Basic laws of electricity and magnetism, continuity equation for current density, displacement current, Maxwell equations in integral and differential form, Maxwell equations in vacuum and in conducting medium, Poynting vector and Poynting theorem, plane electromagnetic waves in vacuum and in conducting medium, skin depth. Dielectric and Magnetic Materials Dielectric materials: Dielectrics, dielectric constant, electric displacement and polarization vectors, electric susceptibility, polarization mechanism, application of dielectric materials. Magnetic Materials : Magnetic susceptibility, dia-, para-, ferro-, materials, hysteresis loss, coercivity, remanence, importance of hysteresis curve, applications of magnetic materials. Superconductivity and Nano-materials Superconductors: Temperature dependence of resistivity and critical field in superconducting materials, Meissner effect, Type I and Type II superconductors, Josephson effect, persistent current, high temperature superconductors, applications in power cables and MRI, energy storage, smart materials for smart grid. Nano-materials: Introduction and properties of nano-materials, basic concept of quantum dots, quantum wires and quantum well, application of nano-materials.