PHYS2571 Computational Physics and Electronics (2010/11)
Content and Teaching Methods
Electronics Lectures
6 lectures in Michaelmas Term
Syllabus: Part A: Analogue Electronics. Components: introduction to electrical circuit theory transients, networks, AC theory, passive filters, diodes, transistors. Systems: noise, measurements, amplifiers. Part B: Digital Electronics: components.
Textbooks:
Electronics: A Systems Approach, N. Storey (Addison-Wesley, 2nd Ed.), B
The Art of Electronics, P. Horowitz and W. Hill (CUP), B
Microelectronic Circuits and Devices, M.N. Horenstein (Prentice Hall), B
Electronics Labs
9 three-hour sessions in Michaelmas Term
Syllabus: Practical classes mirroring the lecture content.
Textbooks:
Computational Physics
9 lectures and 9 workshops in Epiphany Term
Syllabus: Functions: Evaluation of functions and precision, interpolation, finding the zeros of a function in one dimension, minimization and maximization of functions. Random numbers: Selecting according to a distribution, hit-or-miss method. Integration: Simpson's rule, Gaussian quadrature (onedimensional) and Monte Carlo methods. Linear Algebra: Matrix, operations methods for diagonalising symmetric matrices. Ordinary Differential Equations: Taylor expansion and Runge–Kutta method (with adaptive step size) for vectors. In the lectures we will review the maths build the algorithms, and apply them to simple physical problems.
Textbooks:
Numerical Recipes, R
Computational Physics, N .J. Giordano & H. Nakanishi: ISBN 0-13-146990-8, E
Computational Physics, R. H. Landan, M. J. Paiz, C. C. Bordliann, ISBN 978-3-527-40626-5, B
Exercises: The weekly assignment will be to code the algorithm in Python, to be submitted and checked electronically. These will form the basis for discussion in the workshops.
Long Experiment
Dr G.H. Cross and others
8 three-hour sessions in Epiphany Term
Syllabus: A long experiment in the physics laboratory, chosen from a list of titles. Students usually work in pairs but in some cases, individually.
Laboratory Information
Lab Locations:
Computer Classroom: 140
Electronics: 226
Long experiments: 228/226/220/218/205
Lab technicians: 224
Drop point for assignments: 224
Lab opening times:
Michaelmas Term: week 2 onwards
Epiphany Term: all term
Laboratories: Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, 14:15-17:15
Computer classroom: 09:00-18:00 except during other classes
Safety first! We want you to enjoy the lab classes in an environment that is safe for you and others. Please be attentive in the safety briefings at the start of each term. Please feel free to ask for safety advice from staff, demonstrators and lab technicians at any time.
Lab staff: Each lab activity is supported by a member of staff, by postgraduate demonstrators and by the lab technicians, Ian Manfren and Reece Stockport.
Requirements: Compulsory briefings take place in weeks 1 and 9 in the Michaelmas Term. Attendance at the lab sessions is compulsory - you must sign in for each session. All students are required to keep a lab notebook. Assessment and deadlines will be published in the departmental list.