Course Descriptions

Department of Physics

A. G. Abanov, T. W. Adair III, G. Agnolet, R. E. Allen, R. L. Arnowitt, W. H. Bassichis, K. Becker, M. Becker, A. A. Belyanin, R. A. Bryan, S. A. Chin, D. A. Church, R. B. Clark, N. M. Duller, B. Dutta, A. L. Ford, E. S. Fry (Head), S. A. Fulling, C. A. Gagliardi, J. C. Hardy*, D. R. Herschbach, J. C. Hiebert, C. R. Hu, T. Kamon*, G. W. Kattawar, L. V. Keldysh, R. A. Kenefick, C. M. Ko, O. Kocharovskaya, V. V. Kocharovsky, A. A. Kolomenski, I. F. Lyuksyutov, A. McInturff, J. A. McIntyre, P. M. McIntyre, S. Mioduszewski, D. V. Nanopoulos, D. G. Naugle, G. G. Paulus, V. L. Pokrovsky, C. N. Pope*, R. F. Rapp, J. F. Reading, J. H. Ross, Y. Rostovtsev, W. M. Saslow*, V. A. Sautenkov, H. A. Schuessler, M. O. Scully, E. Sezgin, S. Shlomo, J. Sinova, A. V. Sokolov, N. B. Suntzeff, W. Teizer, D. Toback, R. E. Tribble, R. C. Webb, M. B. Weimer, G. R. Welch, J. T. White, W. Wu, D. H. Youngblood, M. S. Zubairy

* Graduate Advisor

The physics curriculum provides classroom and research experience that prepares a graduate student for a career of either research and teaching at a university, or research and development at an industrial or government laboratory. The courses are well suited to graduate students in chemistry, mathematics, geosciences or engineering, as well as those seeking a graduate degree in physics.

PHYS 601, 603, 606, 607 and 615 and/or courses in mathematics and research in the field of the thesis will normally comprise the program of a candidate for the degree of Master of Science. A non-thesis option is also offered. The five courses mentioned together with PHYS 611 and 624, one semester of either nuclear or particle physics, and one semester of either atomic or solid state physics provide a comprehensive, integrated coverage of the fields of classical and modern physics at the graduate level and constitute the basic courses normally required for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. More advanced courses in a number of specialized fields are available for candidates for the PhD degree. There is no language requirement for the PhD degree.

A PhD in Applied Physics is also offered. The Applied Physics program offers students the opportunity to receive a PhD while focusing on areas of research outside of those covered by the traditional fundamental physics program. The interdisciplinary curriculum for this degree includes a core of foundation physics courses plus a selection of graduate courses in associated science and engineering fields relevant to a particular student's area of research specialization. Furthermore, for students interested in materials research, the Physics Department also participates in the Materials Science and Engineering (MSEN) degree program, allowing students to obtain interdisciplinary graduate degrees with a specialization in the physics of materials.

As part of the training of the graduate student pursuing the MS or PhD in physics, the Department of Physics recommends that all students serve as teaching assistants for at least two semesters.

The current research areas of members of the department include experimental and theoretical research in atomic, nuclear and low temperature/solid state physics. Other research areas within the department include the theory of elementary particle interactions, atmospheric physics, quantum optics and experimental high energy physics. Research laboratories supporting the experimental programs are well-equipped with modern research apparatus. Special support facilities include a wide array of departmental and University computers and a variable energy cyclotron.

Physics
(PHYS)

601. Analytical Mechanics. (3-0). Credit 3.

Hamilton approaches to dynamics; canonical transformation and variational techniques; central force and rigid body motions; the mechanics of small oscillations and continuous systems. Prerequisites: PHYS 302 or equivalent; MATH 311 and 412 or equivalents; concurrent registration in PHYS 615.

603. Electromagnetic Theory. (3-0). Credit 3.

Boundary-value problems in electrostatics; basic magnetostatics; multipoles; elementary treatment of ponderable media; Maxwell’s equations for time-varying fields; energy and momentum of electromagnetic field; Poynting’s theorem; gauge transformations. Prerequisites: PHYS 304 or equivalents; PHYS 615.

606. Quantum Mechanics. (4-0). Credit 4.

Schrodinger wave equation, bound states of simple systems, collision theory, representation and expansion theory, matrix formulation, perturbation theory. Prerequisites: PHYS 412 or equivalent; MATH 311 and 412 or equivalents; concurrent registration in PHYS 615.

607. Statistical Mechanics. (4-0). Credit 4.

Classical statistical mechanics, Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution, and equipartition theorem; quantum statistical mechanics, Bose-Einstein distribution and Fermi-Dirac distribution; applications such as polyatomic gases, blackbody radiation, free electron model for metals, Debye model of vibrations in solids, ideal quantum mechanical gases and Bose-Einstein condensation; if time permits, phase transitions and nonequilibrium statistical mechanics. Prerequisites: PHYS 408 and 412 or equivalents; PHYS 615.

611. Electromagnetic Theory. (4-0). Credit 4.

Continuation of PHYS 603. Propagation, reflection and refraction of electromagnetic waves; wave guides and cavities; interference and diffraction; simple radiating systems; dynamics of relativistic particles and fields; radiation by moving charges. Prerequisite: PHYS 603.

615. Methods of Theoretical Physics I. (4-0). Credit 4.

Orthogonal eigenfunctions with operator and matrix methods applied to solutions of the differential and integral equations of mathematical physics; contour integration, asymptotic expansions of Fourier transforms, the method of stationary phase and generalized functions applied to problems in quantum mechanics. Prerequisites: MATH 311, 407 and 412 or equivalents.

616. Methods of Theoretical Physics II. (3-0). Credit 3.

Green’s functions and Sturm-Liouville theory applied to the differential equations of wave theory; special functions of mathematical physics; numerical techniques are introduced; conformal mapping and the Schwarz-Christoffel transformation applied to two-dimensional electrostatics and hydrodynamics. Prerequisites: PHYS 615.

617. Physics of the Solid State. (3-0). Credit 3.

Crystalline structure and symmetry operations; electronic properties in the free electron model with band effects included; lattice vibrations and phonons; thermal properties; additional topics selected by the instructor from: scattering of X-rays, electrons, and neutrons, electrical and thermal transport, magnetism, superconductivity, defects, semiconductor devices, dielectrics, optical properties. Prerequisites: PHYS 606 and 607.

619. Modern Computational Physics. (3-0). Credit 3.

Modern computational methods with emphasis on simulation such as molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo; applications to condensed matter and nuclear many-body physics and to lattice gauge theories. Prerequisites: PHYS 408 and 412 or equivalents; knowledge of any programming language.

624. Quantum Mechanics. (4-0). Credit 4.

Continuation of PHYS 606. Scattering theory, second quantization, angular momentum theory, approximation methods, application to atomic and nuclear systems, semi-classical radiation theory. Prerequisite: PHYS 606.

625. Nuclear Physics. (3-0). Credit 3.

Nuclear models, nuclear spectroscopy, nuclear reactions, electromagnetic properties of nuclei; topics of current interest. Prerequisite: PHYS 606.

627. Elementary Particle Physics. (3-0). Credit 3.

Fundamentals of elementary particle physics; particle classification, symmetry principles, relativistic kinematics and quark models; basics of strong, electromagnetic and weak interactions. Prerequisite: PHYS 606.

628. Particle Physics II. (3-0). Credit 3.

Continuation of PHYS 627; introduction to gauge theories; the Standard Model. Prerequisite: PHYS 627.

631. Quantum Theory of Solids. (3-0). Credit 3.

Second quantization, and topics such as plasmons; many-body effects for electrons; electron-phonon interaction; magnetism and magnons; other elementary excitations in solids; BCS theory of superconductivity; interactions of radiation with matter; transport theory in solids. Prerequisites: PHYS 617 and 624.

632. Condensed Matter Theory. (3-0). Credit 3.

Continuation of PHYS 631. Recent topics in condensed matter theory. Peierl’s Instability, Metal-Insulator transition in one-dimensional conductors, solitons, fractionally charged excitations, topological excitations, Normal and Anomalous Quantum Hall Effect, Fractional Statistics, Anyons, Theory of High Temperature Superconductors, Deterministic Chaos. Prerequisites: PHYS 601, 617 and 624.

633. Advanced Quantum Mechanics. (3-0). Credit 3.

Many-body theory; second quantization; Fermi systems; Bose systems; interaction of radiation with matter; quantum theory of radiation; spontaneous emission; relativistic quantum mechanics; Dirac equation; Klein-Gordon equation; covariant perturbation theory. Prerequisite: PHYS 624.

634. Relativistic Quantum Field Theory. (3-0). Credit 3.

Classical scalar, vector and Dirac fields; second quantization; scattering matrix and perturbation theory; dispersion relations. Renormalization. Prerequisite: PHYS 624.

638. Quantum Field Theory II. (3-0). Credit 3.

Functional integrals; divergences, regularization and renormalization; non-abelian gauge theories; other topics of current interest. Prerequisite: PHYS 634.

648. Quantum Optics and Laser Physics. (3-0). Credit 3.

Line widths of spectral lines; laser spectroscopy; optical cooling; trapping of atoms and ions; coherence; pico- and femto-second spectroscopy; spectroscopic instrumentation. Prerequisite: Approval of instructor.

659. The Evolution of Physics. (3-0). Credit 3.

Traces the evolution of classical physics from early Greek times through the end of the 19th century; feedback between ideas in physics and the surrounding culture; laboratory techniques for teaching classical physical concepts. For physics teachers. Prerequisite: Approval of instructor.

660. Evolution of Physics. (3-0). Credit 3.

Continuation of PHYS 659. Evolution of physics in the 20th century; birth and development of quantum physics, relativity and nuclear physics; laboratory techniques for teaching modern physical concepts. For physics teachers. Prerequisite: Approval of instructor.

665. Concepts of Modern Physics. (3-0). Credit 3.

Physical phenomena of contemporary interest; physical concepts; cosmology and astrophysics, elementary particles, lasers and their applications, atomic and nuclear phenomena, and the application of physical principles in recent technology; laboratory techniques for presenting the concepts in inquiry-oriented physical science courses. For physics teachers. Prerequisite: Approval of instructor.

666. Scientific Instrument Making. (2-2). Credit 3.

Theory and techniques for designing and constructing advanced scientific instruments such as spectrometers, cryostats, vacuum systems, etc.; mechanical and electronic shop procedures utilizing the lathe and mill; welding and soldering; drafting and print reading; circuit design. Prerequisite: Approval of instructor.

667. Physics for Advanced Placement Teachers. Credit 1 to 4.

Review of the fundamental concepts and techniques of physics and their use in the solution of physical problems; topics included in Advanced Placement Physics Courses B and C; mechanics, electricity and magnetism, kinetic theory and thermodynamics, waves, optics and modern physics. Prerequisite: Approval of instructor.

674. Introduction to Quantum Computing. (3-0). Credit 3.

Introduces the quantum mechanics, quantum gates, quantum circuits and quantum hardware of potential quantum computers; algorithms, potential uses, complexity classes, and evaluation of coherence of these devices. Prerequisites: MATH 304, PHYS 208. Cross-listed with ELEN 674.

681. Seminar. (1-0). Credit 1.

Subjects of current importance; normally required of all graduate students in physics.

685. Directed Studies. Credit 1 to 9.

Individual problems not related to thesis. Prerequisite: Approval of instructor.

689. Special Topics in... Credit 1 to 4.

Selected topics in an identified area of physics. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Approval of instructor.

691. Research. Credit 1 or more each semester.

Research toward thesis or dissertation. Prerequisite: Baccalaureate degree in physics or equivalent.

697. Seminar in the Teaching of Physics. (1-0). Credit 1.

Methods and mechanics of teaching introductory physics and physics laboratories. Required of all TAs during their first semester of teaching. Graded satisfactory/unsatisfactory. May not be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Teaching assistant in the Physics Department.