Diffraction techniques and the structure of solids; analysis of diffraction data. Crystal defects, nonstoichimetry and solid solutions. Structure of solid electrolytes, zeolites, conducting polymers and surfaces. Solid state transformations and reactions.
Electronic structure of solids: Fermi level, Bloch orbitals, energy bands, Brillouin zone. Electric and magnetic properties of solids: insulators, semiconductors, conductors and Fermi surfaces; superconductivity; polarization, refractive index, dielectrics and ferroelectrics; diamagnetism and paramagnetism; ferromagnetism, ferrimagnetism and antiferromagnetism. Molecular metals, phosphors and solid state lasers.