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Physics

Professors. Volkmar Dierolf, Ph.D. (Utah), chairperson; Gary G. DeLeo, Ph.D. (Connecticut), associate chairperson; Ivan Biaggio, Ph.D. (ETH Zurich); James D. Gunton, Ph.D. (Stanford); A. Peet Hickman, Ph.D. (Rice); John P. Huennekens, Ph.D. (Colorado); Alvin S. Kanofsky, Ph.D. (Pennsylvania); Thomas L. Koch, Ph.D. (Cal. Tech.), director, Center for Optical Technologies; Yong W. Kim, Ph.D. (Michigan); Arnold H. Kritz, Ph.D. (Yale); George E. McCluskey, Jr., Ph.D. (Pennsylvania); H. Daniel Ou-Yang, Ph.D. (U.C.L.A.); Jeffrey M. Rickman, Ph.D. (Carnegie-Mellon); Michael Stavola, Ph.D. (Rochester), associate dean, College of Arts and Sciences; Jean Toulouse, Ph.D. (Columbia).

Associate professors. Jerome C. Licini, Ph.D. (M.I.T.); Slava V. Rotkin, Ph.D. (Ioffe Inst.-St. Petersburg).

Assistant professor. M. Virginia McSwain, Ph.D. (Georgia State); Dimitrios Vavylonis, Ph.D. (Columbia).

Emeritus Professors. Robert T. Folk, Ph.D. (Lehigh); W. Beall Fowler, Ph.D. (Rochester); Shelden H. Radin, Ph.D., (Yale); Russell A. Shaffer, Ph.D. (Johns Hopkins).

Physics students study the basic laws of mechanics, heat and thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, optics, relativity, quantum mechanics, and elementary particles. Students also study applications of the basic theories to the description of bulk matter, including the mechanical, electric, magnetic, and thermal properties of solids, liquids, gases, and plasmas, and to the description of the structure of atoms and nuclei. In addition, students develop the laboratory skills and techniques of the experimental physicist, skills that can be applied in the experimental search for new knowledge or in applications of the known theories.

A majority of physics graduates go to graduate school in physics, often earning the Ph.D. degree. These graduates take university or college faculty positions, or work on research in a variety of university, government, or industrial laboratories. Some students choose employment immediately after the bachelor’s degree. They use their many approved and free electives to supplement their science background with applied courses, such as engineering, to develop the skills needed for a position in a particular area.

Because of the fundamental role of physics in all natural sciences, students also use the physics major as an excellent preparation for graduate study in many other scientific areas, such as: optical engineering, applied mathematics, computer science, biophysics, molecular biology, astrophysics, geology and geophysics, materials science and engineering, meteorology, or physical oceanography. Attractive engineering areas with a high science content include optical communications, aeronautical engineering, nuclear engineering, including both fission and fusion devices; electrical engineering, including instrumentation, electronics and solid-state devices, electrical discharges and other plasma-related areas; and mechanical engineering and mechanics, including fluids and continuum mechanics. The broad scientific background developed in the physics curriculum is also an excellent background for professional schools, such as law (particularly patent law), medicine, and optometry.

Lehigh offers three undergraduate degrees in physics and two undergraduate degrees in astronomy or astrophysics. The three physics degrees are the bachelor of arts with a major in physics and the bachelor of science in physics in the College of Arts and Sciences, and the bachelor of engineering physics in the College of Engineering and Applied Science. The B.A. with a major in astronomy and the B.S. in astrophysics are in the College of Arts and Sciences and are described in the Astronomy and Astrophysics section of this catalog.

In addition, there are several five-year, dual-degree programs involving physics: The Arts-Engineering program (see the Arts-Engineering section of this catalog), the combination of the bachelor of science program in the College of Arts and Sciences with Electrical Engineering (described below), and the combination of electrical engineering and engineering physics (see the Electrical Engineering and Engineering Physics section of this catalog).

The bachelor of science curriculum in the College of Arts and Sciences requires somewhat more physics and mathematics than the bachelor of arts major, while the latter provides more free electives and three fewer hours for graduation. By making good use of the electives in these programs, either can prepare a student for graduate work in physics or the physical aspects of other sciences or engineering disciplines, or for technical careers requiring a basic knowledge of physics. The bachelor of arts curriculum is particularly useful for those planning careers in areas where some knowledge of physics is needed or useful, but is not the main subject, such as science writing, secondary school teaching, patent law, or medicine. The bachelor of science in engineering physics curriculum in the College of Engineering and Applied Science requires an engineering concentration in either solid state electronics or optical sciences, in addition to regular physics and mathematics courses. This four-year program prepares students to do engineering work in an overlap area between physics and engineering, which may be engineering in a forefront area in which it is desirable to have more physics knowledge than the typical engineer has, or may be experimental physics which either relies heavily on forefront engineering or in which the nature of the problem dictates that scientists and engineers will accomplish more working together rather than separately.

Requirements and recommended course sequences are described below for programs in the College of Arts and Sciences and in the P. C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science. Note that no more than 6 credits of military science may be applied toward any degree program.

College of Arts and Sciences

Bachelor of Arts Program Requirements:

PHY (10 or 11), (13 or 21), 12, 22, 31

MATH 21, 22, 23, 205

CHM 30

At least one of the two advanced physics laboratories (PHY 190, PHY 262).

At least 18 credits of advanced physics courses must be selected from the following list: PHY 301, 212, 213, 215, 332, 340, 342, 348, 352, 355, 362, 363, 364, 365, 369, 380.

A total of 120 credits are required for the BA in Physics

Bachelor of Science Program Requirements:

PHY (10 or 11), 21, 12, 22, 31

MATH 21, 22, 23, 205, 322

CHM 30

ENGR 1 or an equivalent course in scientific computing

PHY 190, 262

PHY 212, 213, 215, 362, 364, 340

At least 17 credits of approved electives in physics, physical sciences or technical areas must be selected in consultation with the advisor. Included in this group must be three of the following courses: PHY 363, 369, (352 or 355), and (348 or 365) and 380. Students planning graduate work in physics are advised to include PHY 273 and 369 among their electives.

A total of 123 credits are required for the BS in Physics

The recommended sequence of courses for the two physics degree programs are indicated below. General electives are not indicated, but they should be selected in consultation with the advisor so that educational goals and total credit hour requirements are satisfied.

Physics Degree Programs

College of Arts & Sciences

Freshman Year

Sophomore Year

Junior Year

Senior Year

*or an equivalent course in scientific computing

P.C. Rossin College of Engineering & Applied Sciences

The tables below indicate both course requirements and recommended enrollment sequences.

Bachelor of Engineering Physics

with a concentration in

Freshman Year

Sophomore Year

Junior Year

Senior Year

*The 11 credit hours of SSE (Solid State Engineering) electives must include ECE 257 or 258 or PHY 273.

**The 18 credit hours of OE (Optical Engineering) electives must include ECE 257 or 258 or PHY 273. Must include at least two of ECE 347, ECE 348, ECE 371, ECE 372.

Other advanced physics or engineering courses may be included among the SSE or OE electives with the approval of the student’s advisor.

Combined B.S.(Physics)/B.S.(Electrical Engineering)

The combined arts/engineering programs resulting in bachelors degrees in both physics and electrical engineering may be arranged so that either of the two degrees is completed within the first four years. The suggested curricula are:

Freshman Year

Sophomore Year

Junior Year

Senior Year

Fifth Year

Physics approved electives: three courses selected from PHY 363, 369, (352 or 355), and (348 or 365) and 380.

Students must satisfy both the HSS requirements of the College of Engineering and Applied Science and the distribution requirements, including the junior writing intensive requirement, of the College of Arts and Sciences. Courses appropriate for both may be counted in both categories.

Approved electives are subject to the approval of the student’s advisor. Students planning graduate work in physics are advised to include PHY 273 and 369 among their electives.

Astronomy/Astrophysics Degree Programs

(See the Astronomy section in this catalog.)

Research opportunities

A majority of physics, astronomy, and engineering physics majors take advantage of opportunities to participate in research under the direction of a faculty member. Research areas available to undergraduates are the same as those available to graduate students; they are described below under the heading For Graduate Students. Undergraduate student research is arranged informally as early as the sophomore (or, occasionally, freshman) year at the initiation of the student or formally as a senior research project. In addition, a number of students receive financial support to do research during the summer between their junior and senior years, either as Physics Department Summer Research Participants or as Sherman Fairchild Scholars.

The use of electives. The electives available in each of the physics and astronomy curricula provide the student with an opportunity to develop special interests and to prepare for graduate work in various allied areas. In particular, the many available upper-level physics, mathematics, and engineering courses can be used by students in consultation with their faculty advisors to structure programs with special emphasis in a variety of areas such as optical communications, solid-state electronics, or biophysics.

Departmental Honors

Students may earn departmental honors by satisfying the following requirements:

• Grade point average of at least 3.50 in physics courses.

• Complete 6 credits of Physics 273 (research), or summer REU project, submit a written report, and give an oral presentation open to faculty and students.

• Complete three courses from the list: Physics (332 or 342 or 350)348, 363, (352 or 355), 369, 380, any 400 level Physics course.

For students majoring in astronomy or astrophysics, see the Astronomy and Astrophysics section of this catalog.

Five-Year combined bachelor/master’s programs

Five-Year programs that lead to successive bachelor and master’s degrees are available. These programs satisfy all of the requirements of one of the five bachelor’s degrees in physics (B.A., B.S., B.S.E.P.) and astronomy/astrophysics (B.A., B.S.), plus the requirements of the M.S. in physics in the final year. Depending upon the undergraduate degree received, one summer in residence may be required. Interested students should contact the associate chair of physics no later than the spring semester of their junior year for further detail.

The minor program

The minor in physics consists of 15 credits of physics courses, excluding Physics 5 and 7. No more than one physics course required in a student’s major program may be included in the minor program. The minor program must be designed in consultation with the physics department chair.

Undergraduate Courses in Physics andAstronomy

PHY 5. Concepts in Physics (4) spring

Fundamental discoveries and concepts of physics and their relevance to current issues and modern technology. For students not intending to major in science or engineering. Lectures, demonstrations, group activities, and laboratories using modern instrumentation and computers. This is a non-calculus course; no previous background in physics is assumed. Three class meetings and one laboratory period per week. No prerequisites. Staff (NS)

PHY 7. (ASTR 7) Introduction to Astronomy (3) fall

Introduction to planetary, stellar, galactic, and extragalactic astronomy. An examination of the surface characteristics, atmospheres, and motions of planets and other bodies in our solar system. Properties of the sun, stars, and galaxies, including the birth and death of stars, stellar explosions, and the formation of stellar remnants such as white dwarfs, neutron stars, pulsars, and black holes. Quasars, cosmology, and the evolution of the universe. May not be taken by students who have previously completed ASTR/PHY 105, 301, or 302. (NS)

PHY 8. (ASTR 8) Introduction to Astronomy Laboratory (1) fall

Laboratory to accompany PHY 7 (ASTR 7). Prerequisite: PHY or ASTR 7, preferably concurrently. (NS)

PHY 9. Introductory Physics I Completion (1-2)

For students who have Advanced Placement or transfer credit for 2 or 3 credits of PHY 11. The student will be scheduled for the appropriate part of PHY 11 to complete the missing material. The subject matter and credit hours will be determined by the Physics Department for each student. Students with AP Physics C credit for mechanics will take the thermodynamics and kinetic theory part of PHY 11 for one credit. Prerequisite: MATH 21, 31, or 51 previously or concurrently; and consent of the department. (NS)

PHY 10. General Physics I (4) fall

Statics, dynamics, conservation laws, thermodynamics, kinetic theory of gases, fluids. Primarily for architecture, biological science, earth and environmental science students. Prerequisite: MATH 21, 31, or 51, previously or concurrently. Dierolf (NS)

PHY 11. Introductory Physics I (4)

Kinematics, frames of reference, laws of motion in Newtonian theory and in special relativity, conservation laws, as applied to the mechanics of mass points; temperature, heat and the laws of thermodynamics; kinetic theory of gases. Two lectures and two recitations per week. Prerequisite: MATH 21, 31 or 51, previously or concurrently. Licini (NS)

PHY 12. Introductory Physics Laboratory I (1)

A laboratory course taken concurrently with PHY 10 or 11. Experiments in mechanics, heat, and DC electrical circuits. One three-hour laboratory period per week. Prerequisite: PHY 10 or 11, preferably concurrently. Kanofsky (NS)

PHY 13. General Physics II (3) spring

A continuation of PHY 10, primarily for biological science and earth and environmental science students. Electrostatics, electromagnetism, light, sound, atomic physics, nuclear physics, and radioactivity. Prerequisites: PHY 10 or 11 and MATH 21, 31, or 51. Vavylonis (NS)

PHY 19. Introductory Physics II Completion (1-2)

For students who have Advanced Placement or transfer credit for 2 or 3 credits of PHY 21. The student will be scheduled for the appropriate part of PHY 21 to complete the missing material. The subject matter and credit hours will be determined by the Physics Department for each student. Students with AP Physics C credit for electricity and magnetism will take the optics and modern physics part of PHY 21 for one credit. Prerequisite: 4 credits of PHY 10 or 11, MATH 23, 32, or 52 previously or concurrently; and consent of the department. (NS)

PHY 21. Introductory Physics II (4)

A continuation of PHY 11. Electrostatics and magnetostatics; DC circuits; Maxwell’s equations; waves; physical and geometrical optics; introduction to modern physics. Two lectures and two recitations per week. Prerequisite: PHY 11; MATH 23, 32, or 52, previously or concurrently. Hickman/Biaggio (NS)

PHY 22. Introductory Physics Laboratory II (1)

A laboratory course to be taken concurrently with PHY 13 or 21. One three-hour laboratory period per week. Prerequisite: PHY 12; PHY 13 or 21, preferably concurrently. Licini (NS).

PHY 31. Introduction to Quantum Mechanics (3) spring

Experimental basis and historical development of quantum mechanics; the Schroedinger equation; one-dimensional problems; angular momentum and the hydrogen atom; many-electron systems; spectra; selected applications. Three lectures per week. Prerequisite: PHY 13 or 21; MATH 205, previously or concurrently. Hickman (NS)

PHY 91. Measurement and Transducers (1)

Computer-assisted laboratory course, dealing with physical phenomena in mechanics, electricity and magnetism, optics, spectroscopy and thermodynamics. Measurement strategies are developed and transducers devised. Computer simulation, analysis software, digital data acquisition. Prerequisites: PHY 21 and 22 or their equivalent or consent of chairperson. Kim (NS)

PHY 105. (ASTR 105, EES 105) Planetary Astronomy (4) fall

Structure and dynamics of planetary interiors, surfaces, and atmospheres. Models for the formation of the solar system and planetary evolution. Internal structure, surface topology, and composition of planets and other bodies in our solar system. Comparative study of planetary atmospheres. Organic materials in the solar system. Properties of the interplanetary medium, including dust and meteoroids. Orbital dynamics. Extrasolar planetary systems. McCluskey (NS)

PHY 110 (ASTR 110) Methods of Observational Astronomy (1)

Techniques of astronomical observation, data reduction, and analysis. Photometry, spectroscopy, CCD imaging, and interferometry. Computational analysis. Examination of ground-based and spacecraft instrumentation, and data transmission, reduction, and analysis. McCluskey (NS)

PHY 190. Electronics (3) spring

DC and AC circuits, diodes, transistors, operational amplifiers, oscillators, and digital circuitry. Two laboratories and one recitation per week. Prerequisites: PHY 21 and 22, or PHY 13 and 22. Stavola (NS)

For Advanced Undergraduates And Graduate Students

PHY 212. Electricity and Magnetism I (3) fall

Electrostatics, magnetostatics, and electromagnetic induction. Prerequisites: PHY 21 or 13; MATH 205, previously or concurrently. Ou-Yang (NS)

PHY 213. Electricity and Magnetism II (3) spring

Maxwell’s equations, Poynting’s theorem, potentials, the wave equation, waves in vacuum and in materials, transmission and reflection at boundaries, guided waves, dispersion, electromagnetic field of moving charges, radiation, Lorentz invariance and other symmetries of Maxwell’s equations. Prerequisite: PHY 212. Ou-Yang (NS)

PHY 215. Classical Mechanics I (4) spring

Kinematics and dynamics of point masses with various force laws; conservation laws; systems of particles; rotating coordinate systems; rigid body motions; topics from Lagrange’s and Hamilton’s formulations of mechanics; continuum mechanics. Prerequisites: PHY 21 or 13 and MATH 205, previously or concurrently. DeLeo (NS)

PHY 262. Advanced Physics Laboratory (2) spring

Laboratory practice, including machine shop, vacuum systems, and computer interfacing. Experiment selected from geometrical optics, interference and diffraction, spectroscopy, lasers, fiber optics, and quantum phenomena. Prerequisites: PHY 21 and 22 or PHY 13 and 22. Staff (NS)

PHY 272. Special Topics in Physics (1-4)

Selected topics not sufficiently covered in other courses. May be repeated for credit. (NS)

PHY 273. Research (2-3)

Participation in current research projects being carried out within the department. Intended for seniors majoring in the field. May be repeated for credit. (NS)

PHY 281. Basic Physics I (3)

A course designed especially for secondary-school teachers in the master teacher program. Presupposing a background of two semesters of college mathematics through differential and integral calculus and of two semesters of college physics, the principles of physics are presented with emphasis on their fundamental nature rather than on their applications. Open only to secondary-school teachers and those planning to undertake teaching of secondary-school physics. (NS)

PHY 282. Basic Physics II (3)

Continuation of PHY 281. (NS)

PHY 301. (ASTR 301) Modern Astrophysics I (4) fall

Physics of stellar atmospheres and interiors, and the formation, evolution, and death of stars. Variable stars. The evolution of binary star systems. Novae, supernovae, white dwarfs, neutron stars, pulsars, and black holes. Stellar spectra, chemical compositions, and thermodynamic processes. Thermonuclear reactions. Interstellar medium. Prerequisites: PHY 10 and 13, or PHY 11 and 21, MATH 22 or 52. McSwain (NS)

PHY 302. (ASTR 302) Modern Astrophysics II (4) spring

The Milky Way Galaxy, galactic morphology, and evolutionary processes. Active galaxies and quasars. Observed properties of the universe. Relativistic cosmology, and the origin, evolution and fate of the universe. Elements of General Relativity and associated phenomena. Prerequisites: PHY 10 and 13, or PHY 11 and 21, MATH 22 or 52. McCluskey (NS)

PHY 321 (BioE 321) Biomolecular & Cellular Mechanics (3)

Mechanics and physics of the components of the cell, ranging in length scale from fundamental biomolecules to the entire cell. The course covers the mechanics of proteins and other biopolymers in 1D, 2D, and 3D structures, cell membrane structure and dynamics, and the mechanics of the whole cell. Prerequisites Math 205, Math 231, and PHY 13/22 or 21/22, or permission of the instructor. (NS)

PHY 331 (BioE 331) Integrated Bioelectronics/Biophotonics Laboratory (2) spring

Experiments in design and analysis of bioelectronics circuits, micropatterning of biological cells, micromanipulation of biological cells using electric fields, analysis of pacemakers, instrumentation and computer interfaces, ultrasound, optic, laser tweezers and advanced imaging and optical microscopy techniques for biological applications, Prerequisites PHY 13/22 or PHY 21/22 and ECE 81 or PHY 190, or permission of instructor. (NS)

PHY 332. (ASTR 332) High-Energy Astrophysics (3) spring, odd numbered years.

Observation and theory of X-ray and gamma-ray sources, quasars, pulsars, radio galaxies, neutron stars, black holes. Results from ultraviolet, X-ray and gamma-ray satellites. Prerequisites: MATH 23 or 33, previously or concurrently, and PHY 21. McCluskey (NS)

PHY 340. Thermal Physics (3) fall

Basic principles of thermodynamics, kinetic theory, and statistical mechanics, with emphasis on applications to classical and quantum mechanical physical systems. Prerequisites: PHY 13 or 21, and MATH 23, 32 or 52. Kim (NS)

PHY 342. (ASTR 342) Relativity and Cosmology (3) spring, even numbered years.

Special and general relativity. Schwarzschild and Kerr black holes. Super massive stars. Relativistic theories of the origin and evolution of the universe. Prerequisites: MATH 23 or 33, previously or concurrently, and PHY21. McCluskey (NS)

PHY 348. Plasma Physics (3)

Single particle behavior in electric and magnetic fields, plasmas as fluids, waves in plasmas, transport properties, kinetic theory of plasmas, controlled thermonuclear fusion devices. Prerequisites: PHY 21, MATH 205, and senior standing or consent of the chairman of the department. Kritz (NS)

PHY 352. Modern Optics (3)

Paraxial optics, wave and vectorial theory of light, coherence and interference, diffraction, crystal optics, and lasers. Prerequisites: MATH 205, and PHY 212 or ECE202. Toulouse (NS)

PHY 355. Nonlinear Optics (3)

This course will introduce the fundamental principles of nonlinear optics. Topics include nonlinear interaction of optical radiation with matter, multi-photon interactions, electro-optics, self and cross phase modulation, and the nonlinear optical susceptibilities that describe all these effects in the mainframe of electromagnetic theory. Prerequisites: PHY 31; PHY 213 or ECE 203, previously or concurrently. Biaggio (NS)

PHY 362. Atomic and Molecular Structure (3) fall

Review of quantum mechanical treatment of one-electron atoms, electron spin and fine structure, multi-electron atoms, Pauli principle, Zeeman and Stark effects, hyperfine structure, structure and spectra of simple molecules. Prerequisite: PHY 31 or CHM 341. DeLeo. (NS)

PHY 363. Physics of Solids (3) fall

Introduction to the theory of solids with particular reference to the physics of metals and semiconductors. Prerequisite: PHY 31 or Mat 316 or CHM 341, and PHY 340 or equivalent, previously or concurrently. Stavola (NS)

PHY 364. Nuclear and Elementary Particle Physics (3) spring

Models, properties, and classification of nuclei and elementary particles; nuclear and elementary particle reactions and decays; radiation and particle detectors; accelerators; applications. Prerequisites: PHY 31 and MATH 205. McCluskey (NS)

PHY 365. Physics of Fluids (3) spring

Concepts of fluid dynamics; continuum and molecular approaches; waves, shocks and nozzle flows; nature of turbulence; experimental methods of study. Prerequisites: PHY 212 or ECE 202, and PHY 340 or ME 104 or equivalent, previously or concurrently. Kim (NS)

PHY 369. Quantum Mechanics I (3) spring

Principles of quantum mechanics: Schroedinger, Heisenberg, and Dirac formulations. Applications to simple problems. Prerequisites: PHY 31, MATH 205; PHY 215, previously or concurrently. Rotkin (NS)

PHY 372. Special Topics in Physics (1-4)

Selected topics not sufficiently covered in other courses. May be repeated for credit. (NS)

PHY 380. Introduction to Computational Physics (3) spring

Numerical solution of physics and engineering problems using computational techniques. Topics include linear and nonlinear equations, interpolation, eigenvalues, ordinary differential equations, partial differential equations, statistical analysis of data, Monte Carlo, and molecular dynamics methods. Prerequisite: MATH 205 previously or concurrently. Kritz (NS)

For Graduate Students

The department of physics has concentrated its research activities within several fields of physics, with the result that a number of projects are available in each area. Current departmental research activities include the following:

Condensed matter physics. Areas of interest include the optical and electronic properties of defects in semiconductors and insulators, quantum phenomena in semiconductor devices, collective dynamics of disordered solids, structural phase transitions in ferroelectrics and superconducting crystals, theory of quantum charge transport in nanotubes and single molecule systems, physics of nano devices.

Atomic and molecular physics. Research topics include atomic and molecular spectroscopy and collision processes. Recent work has addressed velocity-changing collisions, diffusion, energy-pooling collisions, charge exchange, fine structure mixing, light-induced drift and radiation trapping.

Nonlinear Optics and Photonics. Research topics include nonlinear light-matter interaction that enable the control of light with light, four-wave mixing, phase conjugation, resonant Brillouin scattering, ferroelectric domain patterning for quasi phase matching, waveguides, photonic crystals, holey and other specialty fibers, and the application of photonics to biological systems.

Plasma physics. Computational studies of magnetically confined toroidal plasmas address anomalous thermal and particle transport, large scale instabilities, and radiofrequency heating. Laboratory studies address collisional and collisionless phenomena of supercritical laser-produced plasmas.

Statistical physics. Investigation is underway of nonequilibrium fluctuations in gases, chaotic transitions and 1/f dynamics, light-scattering spectroscopy, colloidal suspensions, the nonlinear dynamics of granular particles, and pattern formation in nonequilibrium dissipative systems, including the kinetics of phase transitions and spatiotemporal chaos.

Soft Condensed Matter and Biological Physics. Current research topics include both the experimental and theoretical studies of complex fluids including biological polymers, colloids, and biological cells and tissues. Laser tweezers, Raman scattering, photoluminescence and advanced 3-D optical imaging techniques are integrated for investigating the structures and dynamical properties of these systems. Theoretical studies focus on the kinetics of phase transitions, including the crystallization of globular and membrane proteins and also the modeling of interactions of proteins and nanotubes.

Complex fluids. Polymers in aqueous solutions, colloidal suspensions, and surfactant solutions are investigated using techniques such as “laser tweezers,” video-enhanced microscopy, and laser light scattering. Areas of interest include the structures of polymers at liquid-solid interfaces and microrheology of confined macromolecules. Recent work addresses systems of biological significance.

Computational physics. Several of the above areas involve the use of state-of-the-art computers to address large-scale computational problems. Areas of interest include atom-atom collisions, simulations of tokamak plasmas, the statistical behavior of ensembles of many particles, the calculation of electronic wave functions for molecules and solids, and the multi-scale modeling of nano-bio systems.

Candidates for advanced degrees normally will have completed, before beginning their graduate studies, the requirements for a bachelor’s degree with a major in physics, including advanced mathematics beyond differential and integral calculus. Students lacking the equivalent of this preparation will make up deficiencies in addition to taking the specified work for the degree sought.

At least eight semester hours of general college physics using calculus are required for admission to all 200- and 300-level courses. Additional prerequisites for individual courses are noted in the course descriptions. Admission to 400-level courses generally is predicated on satisfactory completion of corresponding courses in the 200- and 300-level groups or their equivalent.

Facilities for Research

Research facilities are housed in the Sherman Fairchild Center for the Physical Sciences, containing Lewis Laboratory, the Sherman Fairchild Laboratory for Solid State Studies, and a large connecting research wing. Well-equipped laboratory facilities are available for experimental investigations in research areas at the frontiers of physics. Instruments used for experimental studies include a wide variety of laser systems ranging from femtosecond and picosecond pulsed lasers to stabilized single-mode cw Ti-sapphire and dye lasers. There is also a Fourier-transform spectrometer, cryogenic equipment that achieves temperatures as low as 0.05K and magnetic fields up to 9 Tesla, a facility for luminescence microscopy, and a laser-tweezers system for studies of complex fluids. A 3MeV van de Graaff accelerator is used to study radiation-produced defects in solids. The Fairchild Laboratory also contains a processing laboratory where advanced Si devices can be fabricated and studied. All laboratories are well furnished with electronic instrumentation for data acquisition and analysis.

Several professors are members of the interdisciplinary Center for Optical Technologies that offers a wide range of state-of-the-art facilities including a fiber drawing tower, waveguide and fiber characterization labs, and a new epitaxy facility for the growth of III-V semiconductor structures and devices. Extensive up-to-date computer facilities are available on campus and in the department. All computing resources can be accessed directly from graduate student and faculty offices through a high speed backbone. Researchers have access to the national Research Internet (Internet 2) via a 155 Mbps gateway.

Graduate Courses in Physics

PHY 411. Survey of Nuclear and Elementary Particle Physics (3)

Intended for non-specialists. Fundamentals and modern advanced topics in nuclear and elementary particle physics. Topics include: nuclear force, structure of nuclei, nuclear models and reactions, scattering, elementary particle classification, SU(3), quarks, gluons, quark flavor and color, leptons, gauge theories, GUT, the big bang. Prerequisite: PHY 369. Staff

PHY 420. Mechanics (3) fall

Includes the variational methods of classical mechanics, methods of Hamilton and Lagrange, canonical transformations, Hamilton-Jacobi Theory. Vavylonis

PHY 421. Electricity & Magnetism I (3) spring

Electrostatics, magnetostatics, Maxwell’s equations, dynamics of charged particles, multipole fields. Huennekens

PHY 422. Electricity & Magnetism II (3) fall

Electrodynamics, electromagnetic radiation, physical optics, electrodynamics in anisotropic media. Special theory of relativity. Prerequisite: PHY 421. Huennekens

PHY 424. Quantum Mechanics II (3) fall

General principles of quantum theory; approximation methods; spectra; symmetry laws; theory of scattering. Prerequisite: PHY 369 or equivalent. Rotkin

PHY 425. Quantum Mechanics III (3)

A continuation of Phys 424. Relativistic quantum theory of the electron; theory of radiation. Staff

PHY 428. Methods of Mathematical Physics I (3) fall

Analytical and numerical methods of solving the ordinary and partial differential equations that occur in physics and engineering. Includes treatments of complex variables, special functions, product solutions and integral transforms. Gunton

PHY 429. Methods of Mathematical Physics II (3) spring

Continuation of Physics 428 to include the use of integral equations. Green’s functions, group theory, and more on numerical methods. Prerequisite: PHY 428. Staff

PHY 431. Theory of Solids (3)

Advanced topics in the theory of the electronic structure of solids. Many-electron theory. Theory of transport phenomena. Magnetic properties, optical properties. Superconductivity. Point imperfections. Prerequisites: PHY 363 and PHY 424. Rickman

PHY 442. Statistical Mechanics (3) spring

General principles of statistical mechanics with application to thermodynamics and the equilibrium properties of matter. Prerequisites: PHY 340 and 369. Kim

PHY 443. Nonequilibrium Statistical Mechanics (3)

A continuation of PHY 442. Applications of kinetic theory and statistical mechanics to nonequilibrium processes; nonequilibrium thermodynamics. Prerequisite: PHY442. Staff

PHY 446. Atomic and Molecular Physics (3)

Advanced topics in the experimental and theoretical study of atomic and molecular structure. Topics include fine and hyperfine structure, Zeeman effect, interaction of light with matter, multi-electron atoms, molecular spectroscopy, spectral line broadening atom-atom and electron-atom collisions and modern experimental techniques. Prerequisite: PHY 424 or consent of the department. Huennekens

PHY 455. Physics of Nonlinear Phenomena (3)

Basic concepts, theoretical methods of analysis and experimental development in nonlinear phenomena and chaos. Topics include nonlinear dynamics, including period-multiplying routes to chaos and strange attractors, fractal geometry and devil’s staircase. Examples of both dissipative and conservative systems will be drawn from fluid flows, plasmas, nonlinear optics, mechanics and waves in disordered media. Prerequisite: graduate standing in science or engineering, or consent of the chairman of the department. Staff

PHY 462. Theories of Elementary Particle Interactions (3)

Relativistic quantum theory with applications to the strong, electromagnetic and weak interactions of elementary particles. Prerequisite: PHY 425. Staff

PHY 467. Nuclear Theory (3)

Theory of low-energy nuclear phenomena within the framework of non-relativistic quantum mechanics. Staff

PHY 471. (MECH 411) Continuum Mechanics (3)

An introduction to the continuum theories of the mechanics of solids and fluids. This includes a discussion of the mechanical and thermodynamical bases of the subject, as well as the use of invariance principles in formulating constitutive equations. Applications of theories to specific problems are given. Staff

PHY 472. Special Topics in Physics (1-4)

Selected topics not sufficiently covered in other courses. May be repeated for credit.

PHY 474. Seminar in Modern Physics (3)

Discussion of important advances in experimental physics. May be repeated for credit when a different topic is offered.

PHY 475. Seminar in Modern Physics (3)

Discussion of important advances in theoretical physics. May be repeated for credit when a different topic is offered.

PHY 482. Applied Optics (3)

Review of ray and wave optics with extension to inhomogenous media, polarized optical waves, crystal optics, beam optics in free space (Gaussian and other types of beams) and transmission through various optical elements, guided wave propagation in planar waveguides and fibers (modal analysis), incidence of chromatic and polarization mode dispersion, guided propagation of pulses, nonlinear effects in waveguides (solitons), periodic interactions in waveguides, acousto-optic and electro-optics. Prerequisite: PHY 352 or equivalent. Toulouse

PHY 491. Research (3)

Research problems in experimental or theoretical physics.

PHY 492. Research (3)

Continuation of PHY 491. May be repeated for credit.

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