Surendra Singh, Chairman of the Department, 106 Physics Building, 575-2506
UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR SALAMO; UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR EMERITUS HUGHES; PROFESSORS CHAN, GUPTA, HARTER, HOBSON, LIEBER, PEDERSON, RICHARDSON, SINGH; PROFESSOR EMERITUS ZINKE; RESEARCH PROFESSOR SHENG; ASSOCIATE PROFESSORS GEA-BANACLOCHE, LACY, VYAS, XIAO; ASSISTANT PROFESSORS FILIPKOWSKI, HENRY, OLIVER, STEWART, THIBADO
Degrees Conferred: M.A., M.S., Ph.D. (PHYS)
Areas of Concentration: atmospheric, atomic and molecular, condensed matter, laser, quantum optical physics, and theoretical physics.
Prerequisites to Degree Program: Prospective students must satisfy the requirements of the Graduate School as described in the Graduate School Catalog and have the approval of the Graduate Admissions Committee of the Department of Physics. In addition, to be admitted to graduate study in physics without deficiency, candidates should have an undergraduate degree with the equivalent of a 30-hour major in physics including intermediate-level courses in mechanics and electricity and magnetism, and mathematics through differential equations. Students who present less than the above may be admitted with deficiency subject to the approval of the department's Graduate Admissions Committee. Students may eliminate deficiencies while concurrently enrolling in graduate courses, provided prerequisites are met. While submission of Graduate Record Examination scores is not required for admission, students who have taken the GRE advanced physics test are urged to submit their test scores to the Physics Department to facilitate advising and placement.
Prospective students from foreign countries in which English is not the native language must submit TOEFL scores of 550 or above and Test of Spoken English scores of 50 or above.
Requirements for the Master of Arts Degree: Students choosing this degree program must notify the Graduate Affairs Committee by April 30 in their first year of study. An advisory committee is then formed consisting of the research adviser as chairman and two other members of the graduate faculty, one of whom must be from the Physics Department. The student must complete a total of 30 semester hours with a minimum grade-point average of 3.00 in graduate courses including Introduction to Theoretical Physics4 (3 hrs), Mathematical Methods in Physics (3 hrs), Advanced Modern Physics (8 hrs), Modern Physics Laboratory (1 hr), Advanced Electromagnetic Theory (3 hrs), Advanced Mechanics (3 hrs), Quantum Mechanics (6 hrs), and Master's Research (1 hr), the last satisfied by a written research report. A final comprehensive oral exam is given by the advisory committee. Emphasis in the exam will be on material in the research report.
Requirements for the Master of Science Degree: Students choosing this degree program must notify the Graduate Affairs Committee by April 30 of their first year of study. An advisory committee is then formed consisting of the research adviser as chairman, two members of the physics faculty, and one member of the graduate faculty not from the Physics Department. The student must complete a total of 30 semester hours with a minimum grade-point average of 3.00 in graduate courses including Introduction to Theoretical Physics4 (3 hrs), Mathematical Methods in Physics (3 hrs), Advanced Modern Physics (8 hrs), Modern Physics Laboratory (1 hr), Advanced Electromagnetic Theory (3 hrs), Advanced Mechanics (3 hrs), Quantum Mechanics (3 hrs), and Master's Thesis (6 hrs), the last satisfied by a written thesis successfully defended in a comprehensive oral exam given by the advisory committee.
4All master's degree candidates in physics are required to enroll in Introduction to Theoretical Physics (3 hours) during their first semester of graduate study. Students may be exempted from this requirement by obtaining a minimum score of 650 on the advanced physics test of the Graduate Record Examinations.
Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree: Students choosing this degree program must notify the Graduate Affairs Committee by April 30 in their first year of study. The students must complete a total of 42 semester hours with a minimum grade-point average of 3.00 in graduate courses including Advanced Modern Physics5 (8 hrs), Mathematical Methods in Physics (6 hrs), Modern Physics Laboratory (1 hr), Advanced Mechanics (3 hrs), Advanced Electromagnetic Theory (6 hrs), Quantum Mechanics (6 hrs), and Statistical Mechanics (3 hrs).
To be admitted to candidacy for the degree the student must (a) file a Declaration of Intent with the Graduate School, (b) pass the candidacy exam, (c) form an advisory committee, and (d) be approved by the physics faculty.
The advisory committee consists of the research adviser as chairman, three members of the physics faculty, and one member of the graduate faculty not from the Physics Department.
The candidacy exam consists of written and oral parts. It is given early in each spring semester. Students entering the program with a bachelor's degree will take the exam in their fourth semester of study. Students entering with a master's degree will take it the first time offered. The written exam is over course work at the graduate level. Students failing this part will be allowed to take the exam the following year for the final time. Students passing this part proceed immediately to the oral part. In this the student is assigned a topic of current research interest. Following a survey of the literature the student reports on this topic to an oral exam committee consisting of three members of the physics faculty chosen at random. Questions on the topic and other subjects are asked. The committee may judge the exam passed, or may allow additional time for preparation. If the exam is failed, a new committee is formed and a new exam is given. If the student fails the exam again the student must take the entire candidacy exam again the next year for the final time.
Finally, the student must earn 18 hours of credit in Doctoral Dissertation, submit a dissertation and defend it successfully in an oral examination given by the advisory committee.
5Especially well-prepared students may obtain exemption from this requirement by achieving a grade of "A" on the final exam of the course.
Courses: Physics (PHYS)
4003 Lab and Classroom Practices in Physics (Fa, Sp, Su) The pedagogy of curricular materials. Laboratory and demonstration techniques illustrating fundamental concepts acquired through participation in the classroom as an apprentice teacher. Prerequisites: PHYS 3114 and PHYS 3414 or consent.
4333 Thermal Physics (Sp, Even years) Equilibrium thermodynamics, statistical physics, and kinetic theory. Prerequisite: PHYS 3614.
4503 Plasma Physics (Irregular) The theory of ionized gases from microscopic (kinetic theory) and the macroscopic (magnetohydrodynamic) viewpoints, with application to controlled fusion, energy conversion and astrophysics. Prerequisite: PHYS 3414 or ELEG 3703 or consent.
4603 Nuclear Physics (Irregular) Nuclear particles, reactions, and properties. Accelerators and detectors of particles. Prerequisite: PHYS 3614.
462L Modern Physics Laboratory (Fa) Advanced experiments, projects, and techniques in atomic, nuclear, and solid state physics. Prerequisite: consent.
4703 Elementary Particles (Irregular) The nature and properties of elementary particles and resonances, and their interactions and decays. Phenomenological theory and experimental evidence will be discussed. Necessary concepts in quantum mechanics and nuclear physics will be developed. Prerequisite: PHYS 3614.
4803 Mathematical Physics (Irregular) Development of mathematics used in advanced physics, including tensors, matrices, group theory, special functions and operators. Prerequisite: MATH 2574.
5000 Colloquium Members of the faculty and graduate students meet weekly to hear and discuss reports of current research.
501V Seminar (1-3) Regular informal discussions of research reported in journals and monographs. Prerequisite: consent.
502V Individual Study in Advanced Physics (1-3) (Fa, Sp) Guided study in current literature. Prerequisites: consent--the staff member under whose direction the study will be done will determine that the study in current literature is not related to the student's thesis research or required by the course work.
5033 Introduction to Theoretical Physics (Fa) Accelerated course on mechanics and electromagnetic theory. Topics in mechanics include Newton's laws, variational principles and Lagrange's equations, Hamilton's equations, rigid body motion, and small vibrations. Topics in electromagnetism include electrostatics, Maxwell's equations, radiation theory, wave propagation, and applications. Prerequisite: graduate standing or consent.
5054 Advanced Modern Physics I (Fa) The principal theoretical and experimental aspects of modern physics, including special relativity, quantum theory, atomic structure and spectra, solid state, nuclear and elementary particle physics. Prerequisite: PHYS 3114 and 3414.
5064 Advanced Modern Physics II (Sp) The principal theoretical and experimental aspects of modern physics, including special relativity, quantum theory, atomic structure and spectra, solid state, nuclear and elementary particle physics. Prerequisite: PHYS 3114 and 3414.
5073 Mathematical Methods of Physics I (Fa) Applications of complex variables, differential equations, special functions, Green functions, and matrix analysis to problems in physics. Introduction to numerical and statistical techniques used in physics research. (Same as MATH 5073) Prerequisite: MATH 3423 and consent.
5083 Mathematical Methods of Physics II (Sp) Applications of matrices, tensors, and linear vector spaces to problems in physics. Introduction to groups and their representations, and symmetry principles in modern physics. (Same as MATH 5083) Prerequisite: PHYS 5073.
5103 Advanced Mechanics (Sp) Dynamics of particles and rigid bodies. Hamilton's equations and canonical variables. Canonical transformations. Small oscillations. Prerequisite: PHYS 5033 and PHYS 5073, or consent.
5213 Statistical Mechanics (Fa) Classical and quantum mechanical statistical theories of matter and radiation. Prerequisite: PHYS 4333 and 5064.
5313 Advanced Electromagnetic Theory I (Fa) Electrostatics, magnetostatics, Maxwell's equations, plane waves, waveguides, cavities, radiating systems, special relativity. Prerequisite: PHYS 5033 and PHYS 5073, or consent.
5323 Advanced Electromagnetic Theory II (Sp) Electrostatic boundary value problems, multipoles, relativistic electrodynamics, MHD and plasma physics, radiation by moving charges. Prerequisite: PHYS 5313.
5413 Quantum Mechanics I (Fa) Non-relativistic quantum mechanics; the Schrodinger equation; the Heisenberg matrix representation; operator formalism; transformation theory; spinors and Pauli theory; the Dirac equation; applications to atoms and molecules, collision theory, semiclassical theory of radiation. Prerequisite: PHYS 5064.
5423 Quantum Mechanics II (Sp) Non-relativistic quantum mechanics; the Schrodinger equation; the Heisenberg matrix representation; operator formalism; transformation theory; spinors and Pauli theory; the Dirac equation; applications to atoms and molecules, collision theory, semiclassical theory of radiation. Prerequisite: PHYS 5064, 5413.
5513 Atomic and Molecular Physics (Sp, Even years) Survey of atomic and molecular physics with emphasis on the electronic structure and spectroscopy of one- and two-electron atoms, and diatomic molecules. Includes fine and hyperfine structure. Zeeman and Stark mixing of states, collision phenomena, radiative lifetimes, and experimental techniques. Prerequisite: PHYS 5054.
5523 Theory of Relativity (Irregular) Conceptual and mathematical structure of the special and general theories of relativity with selected applications. Critical analysis of Newtonian mechanics; relativistic mechanics and electrodynamics; tensor analysis; continuous media; and gravitational theory. Prerequisite: PHYS 5103 and 5323.
5613 Laser Physics (Sp) Principles of laser operation and laser cavity design, emphasizing common specific systems such as solid state, gas, and dye lasers. Techniques for measuring laser characteristics and a variety of laser applications such as communications systems, high resolution spectroscopy, and interactions with solids. Laboratory experience is included. Prerequisite: PHYS 5054 or consent.
562L Laser Physics Laboratory (Fa, Sp) Advanced experiments in laser operation and cavity design emphasizing common specific systems such as solid state, gas, and dye lasers. Prerequisite: PHYS 5054 or consent.
5633 Applied Nonlinear Optics (Fa, Even years) Topics include linear optics, second harmonic generation, electro-optic and photoelastic effects, parametric amplification and oscillation, propagation-modulation-oscillation in optical dielectric waveguides, stimulated Raman and Brillouin scattering, and other types of nonlinear spectroscopy which are finding current practical application in industry. Prerequisite: PHYS 5054 and graduate standing.
5643 Laser Spectroscopy (Irregular) Discussion of modern spectroscopic techniques using lasers. Interaction of radiation with matter, including emission and absorption, spontaneous and stimulated emission, scattering of radiation and two-photon processes. Discussion of the perturbed-fluorescence, two-photon, saturation, stimulated Raman, optic-acoustic and other timely spectroscopic techniques. Emphasis will also be placed on the experimental considerations. Prerequisite: PHYS 5054.
565L Nonlinear Optics Laboratory (1-3) (Fa) Advanced experiments in nonlinear optical systems, design and analysis. Emphasizes common systems such as second harmonic generation, parametric oscillation, acousto-optic deflection, photorefractive devices, and bistable devices. Prerequisite: PHYS 5054 or consent.
5713 Solid State Physics (Sp, Odd years) Crystalline structure, lattice dynamics. Debye theory, electron theory of metals, band theory of solids, superconductivity, and magnetism. Prerequisite: PHYS 5054.
5723 Optical Properties of Solids (Fa, Odd years) Optical absorption, radiative and nonradiative transitions, processes involving coherent radiation including Raman and Brillouin scattering, and polarization effects with emphasis on optical properties of semiconductors and optically important insulators. Prerequisite: PHYS 5064.
588V Selected Topics in Experimental Physics (1-3) (Irregular) Prerequisite: consent.
590V Master of Arts Research (1-6) (Fa, Sp, Su) Prerequisite: consent.
600V Master of Science Thesis (1-6) (Fa, Sp, Su) Prerequisite: consent.
6413 Advanced Quantum Theory I (Fa, Even years) Second quantization, with applications to quantizing electromagnetic fields and to many-body theory. Introduction to Feynman diagrams. Prerequisite: PHYS 5423.
6423 Advanced Quantum Theory II (Sp, Odd years) Relativistic quantum mechanics. Introduction to quantum electrodynamics and quantum field theory, renormalization theory. Prerequisite: PHYS 6413.
6513 Advanced Atomic and Molecular Physics (Fa) (Irregular) Applications of quantum mechanics to problems in atomic and molecular physics, including collision phenomena, spectra, lifetimes of excited states and energy level calculations. Prerequisite: PHYS 5423.
6613 Quantum Optics (Fa, Odd years) Properties of light and its interaction with atoms, particular attention given to the laser and recent experiments. Classical theory of resonance; Optical Bloch Eqs.; two level atoms in steady fields; pulse propagation; semiclassical theory of the laser, coherent states and coherence functions; gas, solid, and dye lasers; photon echoes and superradiance; quantum electrodynamics and spontaneous emission. Prerequisite: PHYS 5413 or its equivalent.
6623 Optical Coherence Theory (Fa, Even years) Diffraction theory and optical imaging systems, with emphasis on coherent versus incoherent imaging from the viewpoint of Fourier optics. Special attention is given to the coherent optical techniques made possible with the laser. Prerequisite: PHYS 5323.
6713 Advanced Solid State Theory (Irregular) Quantum mechanical approach to the theory of solids, including such topics as group theory, crystalline field theory, electron-photon interactions, band theory of solids, transportation phenomena, superconductivity, and magnetic prospects of solids. Prerequisite: PHYS 5713 and 5413.
6813 Advanced Nuclear Theory (Irregular) Two nucleon system, nuclear models, nuclear reactions and disintegrations, electromagnetic interactions of nuclei. Prerequisite: PHYS 5413.
688V Selected topics in Theoretical Physics (1-3) Prerequisite: consent.
700V Doctoral Dissertation (1-18) Prerequisite: consent.
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