2024-2025 / PHYS0981-1

Quantum modelling of materials properties

Duration

20h Th, 10h Pr

Number of credits

 Master MSc. in Engineering Physics, research focus5 crédits 
 Master in chemistry, research focus (AMIS)4 crédits 
 Master in chemistry, research focus (FAME AIS)4 crédits 
 Master in physics, research focus4 crédits 
 Master in physics, research focus (AMIS)4 crédits 
 Master in physics, research focus (FAME-AIS)4 crédits 
 Master in physics, teaching focus4 crédits 
 Master in physics, professional focus in medical radiophysics4 crédits 
 Advanced Master in Nanotechnologies4 crédits 

Lecturer

Philippe Ghosez

Language(s) of instruction

English language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

This course offers an introduction to modern techniques of simulation of materials properties at the atomic scale, from first-principles (quantum mechanism and electromagnetism). It introduces the formalisms of density functional theory (DFT) and density functional pertubation theory (DFPT). It explains how to access various materials properties (structural, electronic, functional) using those formalisms. It makes student familiar with the use of fisrt-principles softwares like ABINIT (www.abinit.org).

 

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

  • Complement the formation of students in quantum mechaniscs applied to materials physics.  
  • Unerstand the formalism allowing to predict materials properties from first-principles (in connection with other courses like PHYS3003 - Physics of functional oxides). 
  • Make student autonomous in the use of first-principles softwares like ABINIT (www.abinit.org). 
  • Provide, in some cases, a theoretical support to the Master Thesis.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

- Quantum mechanics.
- Introduction to condensed matter physics or physics of materials.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Problem sets and computer-based exercises.

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Face-to-face course


Further information:

Theory, practical exercices and computer simulation (including an individual project).

Course materials and recommended or required readings

Platform(s) used for course materials:
- MyULiège


Further information:

Notes will be distributed to the students. On lin tutorials are avaialble to learn how to use ABINIT (www.abinit.org). 

The following book is a good complementary support :

Materials Modelling using Density Functional Theory: Properties and Predictions
by Feliciano Giustino ISBN-13: 978-0199662449 Oxford University Press; 1 edition (July 15, 2014)

Other interesting books :

Electronic Structure Calculations for Solids and Molecules: Theory and Computational Methods
Jorge Kohanoff ISBN-13: 978-0521815918 Cambridge University Press; 1 edition (July 24, 2006)

R.M. Martin, Electronic Structure: Basic Theory and Practical Methods, ISBN 9780511805769 Cambridge University Press (2004)

J.J. Sakurai, Modern Quantum Mechanics, Revised Ed., Addison-Wesley (1994)

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

written exam ( open-ended questions ) AND oral exam

Written work / report


Further information:

Individual written report on the simulation work carried out by the student during the semester (individual project to make).

Oral exam comprising:

  • conference style seminar (15') on the numerical simulations which have been carried out during the semester (project).
  • standard oral exam on the theory covered in class
 

Work placement(s)

Organisational remarks and main changes to the course

Held in the first semester, to accomodate the FAME - AMIS master programme

Contacts

Pr. Philippe GHOSEZ
Institut de Physique B5a (4/56)
Tél.: 04/366.36.11
E-mail : Philippe.Ghosez@uliege.be 

Assistant

Louis Bastogne
Institut de Physique B5a (4/55)
Tél.: 04/366.36.14
E-mail : Louis.Bastogne@uliege.be

Association of one or more MOOCs