Crystals are anisotropic solids. They are homogeneous with respect to structure (atomic arrangement), chemical composition and physical properties. In crystal physics macroscopic properties and their determination are described in detail. The most important tool is tensor calculus which will be introduced in detail. Symmetry is of similar importance as it determines whether a crystal may exhibit specific properties, such as piezoelectricity, or not.
Optical properties are widely used for phase identification in the field of geosciences and materials science. Understanding their dependance on symmetry and structure is very intriguing. Special techniques for the determination and methods for the calculation of optical properties will be presented.

The students will understand the scientific description of reversible physical properties in terms of tensor calculus. They will be able to perform the determination of selected properties such as piezoelectricity and refractive indices and to predict if they may be expected for a given symmetry.

Basic crystallographic understanding as taught in the compulsory module Crystallography.

180 hours / 6 CP
Introduction to crystal physics
• time for lectures and excercises (2 SWS x 14 weeks) 28 h
• time for preparation and post processing 38 h
• time for exams and preparation 24 h

Crystal optics
• time for lectures and excercises (2 SWS x 14 weeks) 28 h
• time for preparation and post processing 38 h
• time for exams and preparation 24 h

module exam (one mark): short written exams

Very close to the lecture in crystal physics:
J.F. Nye (1957): Physical properties of crystals, Oxford

More crystal physics text books:
W. Kleber, K. Meyer, W. Schoenborn (1968): Einführung in die Kristallphysik, Berlin
S. Haussühl (1983): Kristallphysik
P. Paufler (1987): Physikalische Kristallographie, Verlag Chemie
W.A. Wooster, A. Breton,… (1970): Experimental crystal physics, Oxford
Ch. Kittel (1971): Introduction to solid state physics, N.Y.
W. Voigt (1966, Nachdruck von 1910): Lehrbuch der Kristallphysik, Stuttgart