St. JOSEPH’S COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING , CHENNAI – 119.

DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE
PH8252 – PHYSICS FOR INFORMATION SCIENCE
IMPORTANT QUESTIONS – PART - B
UNIT – I ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES OF MATERIALS
1. Deduce a mathematical expression for electrical and thermal conductivities on the
basis of classical free electron theory and deduce the value of Lorentz number.
2. Derive an expression for the density of states. Show that at 0o K the average energy of
an electron is (3/5)th of fermi energy.
3. Obtain the eigen values and eigen functions of an electron enclosed in 3 – D potential
box.
4. Explain Fermi Dirac distribution for electrons in a metal and discuss the effect of
temperature on Fermi Function F (E)
5. Discuss how band theory of solids leads to the classifications of solids into
conductors, semiconductors and insulators.
6. i) Define effective mass of an electron ii) Deduce an expression for the effective
mass iii) Draw E- k curve and explain the concept of hole

UNIT – II SEMICONDUCTOR PHYSICS

1. Derive an expression for the number of charge carriers per unit volume of an intrinsic
semiconductor.
2. Obtain an expression for the density of electrons in conduction band and show that it
is proportional to the square root of the donor concentration at low temperatures.
3. Obtain an expression for the density of holes in valence band and show that it is
proportional to the square root of the acceptor concentration at low temperatures.
4. What is Hall effect? Give the theory of Hall effect. Describe the experimental
determination of hall effect.
5. Describe the construction and working of Schottky Diode and Ohmic contact with
neat diagrams.
UNIT – III MAGNETIC PROPERTIES OF MATERIALS
1. Classify the magnetic materials based on their spin and hysteresis.
2. Discuss the Weiss theory of ferromagnetism. Draw the M-H curve (Hysteresis) for a
ferromagnetic material and explain the hysteresis on the basis of domain theory.
3. Describe the structure of ferrites. How magnetic moment of ferrite molecule is
calculated?
4. What are ferrimagnetisms? Describe the different types of ferrites structure with
suitable diagrams and mention its applications.
5. Explain the magnetic principle involved in computer data storage and hence explain
how the data are stored in magnetic tape floppy disk and hard disk.
6. Describe the working of magnetic hard disc based on GMR sensor. Mention its
advantages and disadvantages.
 UNIT – IV OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF MATERIALS
1. Discuss about the carrier generation and recombination process in a semiconductors.
2. What is meant by scattering? Compare the absorption and emission of light in metals,
semiconductors and insulators.
3. How is the photocurrent generated in photo diodes? Explain how a P-N junction
diode acts as a LED.
4. (i) Explain the principle and working of LED with a neat diagram. (ii) An LED emits
green light of wavelength λ =5511.11 A0 Find out the value of Eg.
5. Explain with suitable diagram how laser action is achieved in homo junction and
hetero junction diode laser.
6. Explain the principle, construction and working of Solar cell.
7. i) What is meant by optical data storage? (ii) List out the different types of storage
techniques and describe any one in detail.
8. What is Holography? Explain the construction and reconstruction of a Hologram with
its applications
UNIT – V NANO DEVICES
1. Explain the electron density in bulk material and size dependence of Fermi energy.
Derive an expression for density of states in quantum well, quantum wire and
quantum dot structures
2. Describe carbon nano tubes with their types, properties and applications.
3. Explain the construction and working of quantum dot laser. Write the advantages and
disadvantages.
4. Briefly explain the working of single electron transistor with necessary diagrams.