The course starts with a review of the structure of crystals and the determination of crystal structure with X-ray diffraction. The course deals mainly with electrical and thermal properties of crystalline elements and the dependence of these properties on various variables such as e.g. temperature. The free electron model is introduced to describe the electrical and thermal properties of simple metals, while band structure models must be introduced for more complex metals and for semiconductors. Also, doped semiconductors and some semiconductor applications are treated. Lattice dynamics are described by the introduction of the phonon concept. The Debye model is used to describe heat capacity, volume expansion and thermal conductivity of insulators. The course includes compulsory laboratory work.
