====== Old Announcements ======
Current announcements are on the [[start|syllabus]] page.

=== 5/20/2019 ===
Today is [[http://www.worldmetrologyday.org/|World Metrology Day]], and we have a new kilogram standard!  Read about it at the [[https://www.nist.gov/si-redefinition|National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)]] site. Here is a [[https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2019/5/17/18627757/kilogram-redefined-world-metrology-day-explained|Vox article]] that does a reasonable job of discussing it for the layperson (but note the error in the discussion of the units of Planck's constant!).

=== 5/20/2019 ===
Some solid state physics in the news - ice-XVIII.
[[https://physicstoday.scitation.org/do/10.1063/PT.6.1.20190517a/full/|https://physicstoday.scitation.org/do/10.1063/PT.6.1.20190517a/full/]]

=== 5/12/2019 ===
The first part of hwk 5 has been posted.

=== 5/6/2019 ===
The final exam will be held at the advertised time of Thursday June 13 in Weniger 304. Please bring a prepared sheet of notes, one side of one 8.5 x 11" paper.

=== 5/2/2019 ===
Midterm from 3-4 Friday May 3 in Weniger 304. Please bring a prepared sheet of notes, one side of one 8.5 x 11" paper.

=== 4/24/2019 ===
I uploaded a new version of the density of states notes to try to make clear the distinction between D(k) and D(E). 

=== 4/17/2019 ===
[[https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/mrs-bulletin/news/rare-earth-topological-insulator-reveals-its-thermoelectric-properties|Here]] is some fun news about topological insulators with good thermoelectric properties. 

=== 4/16/2019 ===
There is a new worksheet on the 4/15 day under "assignments" - you don't need t oturn it in, but it summarizes what we did in class and you should be able to construct it for the molecular orbitals of chain of any number of atoms.

=== 4/15/2019 ===
There will be a make-up class on Tuesday 4/16 at 8am for those of you who will miss Mon 4/15 for the lunch with Dr. Wineland.

=== 4/4/2019 ===
The [[https://physics.oregonstate.edu/dirac-electrons-one-two-and-three-dimensions|physics colloquium on Monday 4/8 at 4pm in Wngr 328]] (right after our class) is of interest.  Prof. Vikram Deshpande of University of Utah will talk about topological insulators, 2D materials and carbon nanotubes.

=== 3/29/2019 ===
The comprehensive exam for physics graduate students overlaps PH575 class time on Monday 4/1. In the Monday 4/1 class, there will be a review of mathematical concepts used in the class that should not be necessary for the physics grads (though I will repeat the class upon request). Others should attend. The first "official" class is on Wednesday 4/3. 
=== 2/28/2019 ===
2019 is the [[https://www.iypt2019.org/|International Year of the Periodic Table]], celebrating 150 years since Mendeleev discovered the period system. [[http://www.nisenet.org/events/other/IYPT2019|Explore this amazing scientific achievement]].