Study Guide@lith
 

Linköping Institute of Technology

 
 
Valid for year : 2016
 
TFYA37 Soft Condensed Matter Physics, 6 ECTS credits.
/Mjuka material/

For:   MED   TB  

 

Prel. scheduled hours: 48
Rec. self-study hours: 112

  Area of Education: Science

Main field of studies: Physics, Applied Physics

  Advancement level (G1, G2, A): A

Aim:
The course will ive the student knowledge of the statistical physics of polymers, the chemical, geometrical and electronic structure of polymers as well as the structure, dynamics and processing of polymer solids. We will discuss condensed matter in the form of colloids, amphiphiles, liquid crystals, molecular crystals and biological matter.
After the course, the student should be able to
  • describe the geometry of polymer chains and their dynamics, and the mathematical description of these phenomena
  • utilize thermodynamical analysis of phase transitions in polymers and polymer blends
  • describe micro and nanostructure of polymer solutions and polymer blends
  • describe amphiphile materials, colloids, foams and gels, liquid crystals


Prerequisites: (valid for students admitted to programmes within which the course is offered)
Mandatory courses in mathematics and physics for the study programme

Note: Admission requirements for non-programme students usually also include admission requirements for the programme and threshhold requirements for progression within the programme, or corresponding.

Organisation:
Lectures and seminars

Course contents:
Polymers: terminology, chemical structures and polymerization, solid state structures, polymers in solution, colligative properties. Statistical physics of polymer chains: random coils, entropy measures, rubber physics.
Polymer geometry: random coils, crystals, spherulites, polymers adsorbed on surfaces, in liquid crystals, polymer blends. Flory-Huggins theory for polymer blends. Optical and electronic properties of conjugated polymers. Amphiphilic materials and polyelectrolytes. Liquid crystals. Foams and gels. Biological molecules in condensed phase. Ion conduction in polymer electrolytes.


Course literature:
Fundamentals of Soft Matter Science, Linda S. Hirst
Extra material och handouts


Examination:
Written examination
Assignments
4,5 ECTS
1,5 ECTS
 



Course language is English.
Department offering the course: IFM.
Director of Studies: Magnus Johansson
Examiner: Niclas Solin
Link to the course homepage at the department


Course Syllabus in Swedish

Linköping Institute of Technology

 


Contact: TFK , val@tfk.liu.se
Last updated: 05/27/2015