This course first provides an introduction to statistical thermodynamics (physics) and then discusses more advanced problems by covering the following topics: macroscopic vs. microscopic systems, statistical weight, calculus of probabilities, Boltzmann distribution function, Lagrange multipliers, mean energy and internal energy of particles. Statistical ensembles: microcanonical and canonical ensembles, canonical and molecular partition functions, heat capacity, auxiliary functions. Further ensembles: Grand-canonical and others, fluctuations. Partition functions: translational, rotational, and vibrational partition functions, electronic and nuclear contributions, properties of the ideal gas, and equipartition principle. Monoatomic crystals: Einstein and Debye model of heat capacity. Classical statistics and quantum statistics: density of states, quantum statistics, bosons, fermions, and their microstates, distribution functions: Maxwell’s velocity distribution, Fermi-Dirac statistics (electron gas), Bose-Einstein statistics (photon gas). Equilibria and dynamics: equilibrium constants and collision theory. 

This course provides an overview of the fundamental concepts in thermodynamics and their application in Materials Science. The following topics will be covered: review of the laws of classical thermodynamics, thermodynamic processes and cycles (Carnot and others), ideal and real gases, basics of statistical thermodynamics, solution theory and mixtures of gases and liquids, phase equilibria in single-component, binary, and ternary systems, chemical equilibria, surface and interface thermodynamics, chemical kinetics, kinetic gas theory, and polymer thermodynamics.

This course offers an introduction to electronic processes in conjugated organic materials used in optoelectronic devices such as organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) and organic solar cells (OSCs). First, the basic principles of electronic transitions and excited states (excitons) in organic materials are discussed combined with an overview of basic optical spectroscopy techniques. Second, emission spectra of single molecules, aggregates, and bulk materials are discussed and basic concepts of energy transfer and photoexcitations in conjugated polymers are introduced. Finally, the course offers an overview of technological applications of semiconducting organic materials and an introduction to advanced (time-resolved) spectroscopy and data analysis techniques. The course also provides hands-on lab training on basic spectroscopy techniques as course assignments.