Introductory Solid State Physics with MATLAB Applications

Introductory Solid State Physics with MATLAB Applications discusses solid state physics—the study and prediction of the fundamental physical properties of materials—which forms the backbone of modern materials science and has many technological applications. The unique feature of this text is the computational approach (based on MATLAB) with several numerical techniques and simulation methods included. This is highly effective in addressing the need for visualization and a direct hands-on approach in learning the theoretical concepts of solid state physics. 

Key Features

• Uses the pedagogical tools of computational physics that have become important in enhancing physics teaching of advanced subjects such as solid state physics
• Adds visualization and simulation to the subject in a way that enables students to participate actively in a hand-on approach
• Covers the basic concepts of solid state physics and provides students with a deeper understanding of the subject matter
• Provides unique example exercises throughout the text
• Obtains mathematical analytical solutions
• Carries out illustrations of important formulae results using programming scripts that students can run on their own and reproduce graphs and/or simulations
• Helps students visualize solid state processes and apply certain numerical techniques using MATLAB, making the process of learning solid state physics much more effective
• Reinforces the examples discussed within the chapters through the use of end-of-chapter exercises
• Includes simple analytical and numerical examples to more challenging ones, as well as computational problems with the opportunity to run codes, create new ones, or modify existing ones to solve problems or reproduce certain results

The book uses MATLAB throughout and includes example functions from Symbolic Math Toolbox. The MATLAB code files used in this book are also available for download to all textbook users.