PHYS3522 Foundations of Physics 3 (2010/11)
Content
Quantum & Atomic Physics
15 lectures + 3 examples classes in Michaelmas Term
Syllabus: Atomic clocks, electric dipole interactions, magnetic dipole interactions, selection rules, Dirac notation, visualising atomic orbital's during transitions, spontaneous emission, time-independent perturbation theory, time-dependent perturbation theory, degenerate perturbation theory, fine and hyperfine structure, hyperfine transitions, Zeeman effect, lifetime and transit time broadening, light forces and laser cooling, lasers, magneto-optical traps, Cs fountain clock.
Textbooks:
Introduction to Quantum Mechanics, B.H. Bransden and C.J. Joachain (Longman), R
Introduction to Quantum Mechanics, D.J. Griffiths (Prentice Hall), R
Introduction to Quantum Theory, F.S. Levin (Cambridge), R
Physics of Atoms and Molecules, B.H. Bransden and C.J. Joachain (Longman), B
The Physics of Atoms and Quanta, H. Haken and H.C. Wolf (Springer), B
Atomic Physics, C. J. Foot (Oxford), R
Classical Mechanics
15 lectures + 3 examples classes in Michaelmas Term
Syllabus: Generalised co-ordinates and momenta, Lagrange's equations of motion, Hamilton's equations, normal modes, symmetries and conservation laws, centrifugal and Coriolis forces. Moments of inertia and rotational motion of a rigid body.
Textbooks:
Analytical Mechanics, L.N. Hand and J.D. Finch (CUP, 1998), E
Classical Dynamics of Particles and Systems S.T. Thornton and J.B. Marion (Thomson, 2004), R
Classical Mechanics, T W B Kibble and F H Berkshire (Imperial College Press, 2004), B
Classical Mechanics, H. Goldstein et al. (Addison-Wesley, 2002), B
Statistical Physics
15 lectures + 3 examples classes in Michaelmas and Epiphany Terms
Syllabus: Introduction to statistics and probabilities. The binomial distribution. Factorials and Stirling's approximation. Entropy, probability and the second law of thermodynamics. Counting particles using classical and quantum statistics. Fermions and bosons. The maximum entropy principle. The Fermi-Dirac and Bose-Einstein distributions and the classical limit. The Boltzmann distribution. The Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution. Simulated annealing. Introduction to heat capacities. Ferromagnetism, paramagnetism and cooling by a magnet. Equipartition theorem and the heat capacity of diatomic gases and solids. The degenerate Fermi gas. Pauli pressure and the stability of white dwarf stars and neutron stars. Phoney bosons: photons and phonons. Planck's distribution. Bose-Einstein condensation, the heat capacity of Bose-Einstein condensates. Candidates for Bose-Einstein condensates. Liquid 4He and superfluidity. Dilute atomic vapours: the perfect Bose-Einstein condensates.
Textbooks:
Statistical Physics, Guenault. Dordrecht A.M : Springer, (2007), E
Introductory Statistical Mechanics, R. Bowley and M. Sánchez (OUP, 1999), R
Thermal Physics, R. Baierlein (CUP, 1999), R
Statistical Physics, F. Mandl (Wiley, 1988), R
Statistical Mechanics: A Survival Guide, A.M. Glazer and J.S. Wark (OUP, 2001), B
Quantum & Nuclear Physics
15 lectures + 3 examples classes in Michaelmas and Epiphany Terms
Syllabus: Properties of Nuclei: Size, binding energy, excited states, parity, magnetic dipole moments, electric quadrupole moments. The Variational Method. Semi-empirical Mass Formula. The Liquid Drop Model: stability of nuclei. Fermi Gas model: Fermi energy, preference for even-even nuclei. Shell Model: Magic numbers, energy levels, spin orbit interaction. Predictions of the Shell Model: spins of nuclear ground state, parities, excited states, magnetic dipole moments, electric quadrupole moments. The Deuteron: Binding energy, Schrödinger's equation, wavefunction, potential, other solutions. Scattering of Nucleons at Low Energy: Schrödinger's equation, phase shift, general scattering problem, scattering cross section. Ultra low energy scattering, scattering length, pp scattering, nn scattering. Isospin: Nuclear energy levels, charge symmetry, charge independence. Properties of the Nuclear Force.
Textbooks:
Introductory Nuclear Physics, K.S. Krane (Wiley), R
Nuclear and Particle Physics, R.J. Blin-Stoyle (Chapman & Hall), R
Nuclear and Particle Physics, W.S.C. Williams (OUP), R
Nuclear and Particle Physics, W.E. Burcham and M. Jobes (Longman), R
Modern Optics
15 lectures + 3 examples classes in Epiphany Term
Syllabus: Fourier theory. Angular spectrum. Fraunhofer and Fresnel diffraction. Spatial filtering and image processing. Gaussian beams. Lasers and cavities.
Textbooks:
Optical Physics, Lipson and Lipson (CUP), R
Optics, E. Hecht (Addison-Wesley), B
Introduction to Fourier Optics, J.W. Goodman (McGraw-Hill), B
Modern Classical Optics, G. Brooker (OUP), B
Quantum & Particle Physics
15 lectures + 3 examples classes in Epiphany Term
Syllabus: The fundamental interactions, production and decay of elementary particles, particle content of the Standard Model of the electroweak and strong interactions, basic features of Feynman diagrams, running couplings and their physical interpretation, bound states of quarks, the structure of the proton.
Textbooks:
The Ideas of Particle Physics; Coughland, Dodd & Gripaios (CUP), E
Introduction to Elementary Particles, D. Griffiths (Wiley), E
Introduction to High Energy Physics, D.H. Perkins (CUP), R
Quarks and Leptons, F. Halzen and A.D. Martin (Wiley), R
Paricles and Nuceli, Povh, Dith, Schloz & Zetsche (Springer), R
Revision
6 lectures in Easter Term, one by each lecturer
Teaching methods
Lectures: 5 one-hour lectures per week.
Examples classes: These provide an opportunity to work through and digest the course material by attempting exercises and assignments assisted by direct interaction with the lecturers and demonstrators. Students will be divided into groups, each of which will attend one one-hour class every week.
Problem Exercises: http://www.dur.ac.uk/physics/students/problems/