Physics
Departmental Websites: Physics
07-08
Department Head: Professor William C. Stwalley
Professors: Best, Cormier, Dunne, Dutta, Eyler, Gai, Gibson, Gould, Hamilton, Islam, Javanainen, Kappers, Mallett, Mannheim, O’Donnell, Papadimitrakopoulos, Pease, Peterson, Rawitscher, Smith, and Swanson
Research Professors: Boggs, Budnick, Kessel, Michels, Roychoudhuri, and Schweitzer
Associate Professors: Campagnola, Côté, Dobrynin, Edson, Fernando, Huber, Jones, Kovner, Sinkovic, Snyder, Wells, and Wolgemuth
Assistant Professors: Blum, Joo, and Yelin
The Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees are offered.
Admission. For admission to either the M.S. or Ph.D. program, completion of a bachelor's degree normally is required. It is expected that the applicant will have majored in physics or in a related subject.
The Master of Science Degree. Each student in the Master's program follows an individual plan of study arranged jointly by the student and an advisory committee, based on the student’s career goals as well as prior preparation. Candidates for the Plan B Master's degree are required to complete 24 credits of courses. Under Plan A, a thesis is required, as well as completion of 9 credits of Thesis Research courses as stipulated in the Standards and Degree Requirements section of this catalog.
The Ph.D. Degree. Each doctoral student's course of study is supervised by an advisory committee, headed by the student's major advisor. The committee and the student jointly plan a curriculum that is designed to provide the general knowledge of physics appropriate for the Ph.D. and also the specialized expertise necessary to conduct dissertation research. This research is conducted under the supervision of the major advisor and culminates in an original scientific contribution.
There are numerous research projects in the Department of Physics which provide graduate students with opportunities for conducting the scientific investigations necessary for the Ph.D. degree. These include atomic, molecular and optical physics (experimental and theoretical), condensed matter physics (experimental and theoretical), nuclear physics (experimental and theoretical), particle and field theory (including relativity and cosmology) and quantum optics (experimental and theoretical). Active research groups are engaged in each of these areas. Their work is described on-line at <www.phys.uconn.edu>. A brochure that describes the Department’s graduate program also is available on-line.
Special Requirements for the Ph.D. The requirements for the Ph.D. include all the general requirements listed in the Standards and Degree Requirements section of this catalog. In addition, satisfactory completion of Physics 321 (Electrodynamics II) and Physics 343 (Quantum Mechanics III) is required for the Ph.D. degree.
The General Examination in physics consists of written and oral sections. A set of written examinations must be completed satisfactorily to qualify for admission to the oral part of the General Examination.
COURSES OF STUDY
Courses designated by the dagger symbol (†) are approved
for Satisfactory (S) / Unsatisfactory (U) grading.
†PHYS 300. Independent Study
1-6 credits. Independent Study. This course may be taken, with change of topic, up to three times for a maximum of nine total credits.
A special reading course for graduate students.
PHYS 304. Research in Physics
1-6 credits. Laboratory.
Experimental and theoretical research in selected topics in physics. This course may be taken up to three times for a maximum of nine credits.
PHYS 305. Computerized Modeling in Science
4 credits. Lecture.
Development and computer-assisted analysis of mathematical models in chemistry, physics, and engineering. Typical topics include chemical equilibrium, reaction rates, particle scattering, vibrating systems, least square analysis and quantum chemistry.
PHYS 306. Electrodynamics I
3 credits. Lecture. Prerequisite: PHYS 311.
Differential formulations of electrostatics and magnetostatics, electromagnetic induction. Maxwell equations, electromagnetic waves, application to wave guides, cavities, and dispersive media. Foundations of special relativity.
PHYS 307. Astrophysics and Modern Cosmology
3 units. Lecture. Instructor consent required. Preparation equivalent to PHYS 257 and PHYS 261 is expected.
Basic principles of contemporary astrophysics; applications to stars, galaxies, and modern cosmology.
†PHYS 310. Physics Seminar
1 credit. Seminar.
PHYS 311. Methods of Theoretical Physics I
3 credits. Lecture.
Vector and tensor analysis, curvilinear coordinates, linear algebra, functions of complex variables, differential equations, special functions, elements of Green’s functions.
PHYS 312. Methods of Theoretical Physics II
3 credits. Lecture. Prerequisite: PHYS 311.
Abstract vector spaces, Hilbert space, group theory. Fourier series and integral representations, Theory of Green’s functions and integral equations. Complex function theory.
PHYS 314. Methods of Experimental Physics
1-6 credits. Laboratory.
Experimental methods used in modern research are applied to experiments from various fields of physics, including: low temperature conductivity of metals, x-ray diffraction, acoustic attenuation, optical constants of metals, color centers in alkali halides, nuclear beta decay, Zeeman effects and others.
PHYS 315. Elementary Treatment of Recent Advances in Physics
3 credits. Lecture.
Development of concepts and theories of physics from an elementary point of view. Review of experiments leading to present views of the atomic nature of matter and energy. This course is recommended for present and prospective teachers of physics.
PHYS 316. Modern Physics for Teachers
3 credits. Lecture Prerequisite: PHYS 317, which must be taken concurrently.
New teaching materials and techniques as developed by the Physical Science Study Committee for secondary school teachers of physics.
PHYS 317. Modern Physics Experiments for Teachers
3 credits. Laboratory. Prerequisite: PHYS 316, which must be taken concurrently.
Laboratory exercises, demonstrations, and experimental homework prepared by the Physical Science Study Committee.
PHYS 318. Theoretical Mechanics I
3 credits. Lecture.
Classical mechanics: Lagrange equations, central force motion, rigid body motions, small oscillations, Hamilton equations, canonical transformation.
PHYS 319. Theoretical Mechanics II
3 credits. Lecture. Prerequisite: PHYS 318.
Dynamics of continuous media, hydromechanics, elasticity, wave motion, wave interactions and scattering, non-linear processes.
PHYS 321. Electrodynamics II
3 credits. Lecture. Prerequisites: PHYS 306 and PHYS 318.
Maxwell’s equations with time dependent sources; radiation from relativistic charged particles; dynamical laws for charged particles; diffraction of electromagnetic waves.
PHYS 322. Quantum Mechanics I
3 credits. Lecture. Prerequisites: PHYS 311 and PHYS 318.
Mathematical formulation and interpretation of quantum mechanics. Illustrative examples. Hydrogen atom. Dirac ket and bra vectors, matrix methods. Scattering theory.
PHYS 323. Quantum Mechanics II
3 credits. Lecture. Prerequisite: PHYS 322.
Symmetry and angular momentum. Approximation methods for stationary and time-dependent problems, with applications. Relativistic theory of the electron.
PHYS 324. Statistical Mechanics
3 credits. Lecture. Prerequisite: PHYS 322.
Ensembles, distribution function, partition function. Bose-Einstein and Fermi-Dirac distributions, fluctuations, applications to the properties of solids and liquids and to the kinetic theory of gases.
PHYS 325. Advanced Topics in Physics I
1-6 credits. Lecture.
Selected topics in theoretical and experimental physics.
PHYS 326. Advanced Topics in Physics II
1-3 credits. Lecture. Prerequisite: PHYS 325.
Selected topics in theoretical and experimental physics.
PHYS 327. Modern Physics
3 credits. Lecture. Prerequisite: PHYS 322.
Experimental and theoretical milestones in the development of contemporary physics. Atomic, molecular, and optical physics including quantum optics; condensed matter physics; nuclear and particle physics; and cosmology and astrophysics.
PHYS 328. Condensed Matter Physics I
3 credits. Lecture. Prerequisite: PHYS 323.
Crystal structure; lattice vibrations; electronic band structure of solids; transport theory; basic properties of metals, semi-conductors and insulators; magnetism; super-conductivity.
PHYS 329. Condensed Matter Physics II
3 credits. Lecture. Prerequisite: PHYS 328.
Crystal structure; lattice vibrations; electronic band structure of solids; transport theory; basic properties of metals, semi-conductors and insulators; magnetism; super-conductivity.
PHYS 331. X-Ray Physics I
3 credits. Lecture.
Symmetry of crystals. Production and properties of x-rays. Application of x-rays in the study of crystalline and amporphous solids by diffraction and spectroscopic techniques, including synchrotron radiation for studying atomic and electronic structures in materials.
PHYS 332. X-Ray Physics II
3 credits. Lecture. Prerequisite: PHYS 331.
Symmetry of crystals. Production and properties of x-rays. Application of x-rays in the study of crystalline and amporphous solids by diffraction and spectroscopic techniques, including synchrotron radiation for studying atomic and electronic structures in materials.
PHYS 335. Microwave Physics I
3 credits. Lecture. Prerequisite: PHYS 306.
The principles of microwave and radio frequency techniques applied to investigation of the properties of matter.
PHYS 336. Microwave Physics II
3 credits. Lecture. Prerequisite: PHYS 323, which may be taken concurrently, and PHYS 335.
Current investigations of the properties of matter by microwave and radio frequency methods, with special emphasis on paramagnetic defects in solids.
PHYS 337. Atomic Physics
3 credits. Lecture. Prerequisite: PHYS 323.
Coupling of angular momenta. Hartree-Fock theory of many electron atoms, fine structure and hyperfine structure. Introduction to group theory.
PHYS 338. Molecular Physics
3 credits. Lecture. Prerequisite: PHYS 337
Heitler-London and molecular orbital theories for diatomic molecules, semi-empirical methods of poly-atomic molecules.
PHYS 339. Advanced Solid State Physics
3 credits. Lecture. Prerequisite: PHYS 329 or PHYS 345.
The many-body problem in solid state physics. The electron gas, normal metals, electron-phonon interactions, superconductivity, ferro- and antiferro-magnetism and spin waves, polaron theory.
PHYS 340. Nuclear Physics I
3 credits. Lecture. Prerequisite: PHYS 323.
A quantum mechanical treatment of nuclear forces and nuclear structure, including the shell and collective models, and of reaction and radiation phenomena. The second semester is reserved for a discussion of selected topics on an advanced level.
PHYS 341. Nuclear Physics II
3 credits. Lecture. Prerequisite: PHYS 340.
A quantum mechanical treatment of nuclear forces and nuclear structure, including the shell and collective models, and of reaction and radiation phenomena. The second semester is reserved for a discussion of selected topics on an advanced level.
PHYS 342. Relativity
3 credits. Lecture.
Special relativity, tensor analysis, foundations of general relativity, Petrov classification of curved spacetimes, Schwarzchild and Kerr solutions, experimental tests and recent developments.
PHYS 343. Quantum Mechanics III
3 credits. Lecture. Prerequisite: PHYS 323.
Occupation number representation, electron gas, Hartree-Fock approximation, correlation energy, superconductivity, perturbation theory, Green’s functions, Feynman diagrams.
PHYS 344. Quantum Theory of Fields I
3 credits. Lecture. Prerequisite: PHYS 343
Local gauge invariance, Lagranian formulation, Noether currents, spontaneous breakdown of symmetry, Higgs mechanism and superconductivity, canonical quantization, Feynman diagrams, Green’s functions.
PHYS 345. Quantum Theory of Fields II
3 credits. Lecture. Prerequisite: PHYS 344.
Topics chosen from the following: Path integral formalism, generating functionals, renormalization, abelian and non-abelian gauge theories (QED and QCD), electroweak theory, solitons, instantons.
PHYS 346. Scattering Theory I
3 credits. Lecture. Prerequisite: PHYS 323.
Symmetries and conservation theorems. Formal scattering theory. Born expansion and Fredholm theory. Two-body problems with central forces. Scattering by non-central forces. Lifetimes and decays of virtual states. Dispersion relations. Scattering by bound particles and rearrangement collisions. Inverse problems. Applications to atomic, nuclear, and elementary particle physics. Variational bounds on scattering parameters. Multiple scattering and diffraction. Optical potential formulation of reaction theory.
PHYS 347. Scattering Theory II
3 credits. Lecture. Prerequisite: PHYS 346.
Symmetries and conservation theorems. Formal scattering theory. Born expansion and Fredholm theory. Two-body problems with central forces. Scattering by non-central forces. Lifetimes and decays of virtual states. Dispersion relations. Scattering by bound particles and rearrangement collisions. Inverse problems. Applications to atomic, nuclear, and elementary particle physics. Variational bounds on scattering parameters. Multiple scattering and diffraction. Optical potential formulation of reaction theory.
PHYS 352. Non-Equilibrium Properties of Solids
3 credits. Lecture. Prerequisite: PHYS 328.
Electrical and thermal conduction, thermoelec-tricity. Electrons and phonons. Perturbation techniques to estimate interaction rates; electron-phonon, phonon-phonon and imperfection scattering processes. Ultrasonic generation and attenuation, spin-lattice interactions.
PHYS 355. Nuclei and Particles
3 credits. Lecture.
Properties of nuclei and particles, conserved quantities, isospin, quark model, Fermi gas model, electroweak interaction, high energy scattering.
PHYS 357. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance I
3 credits. Lecture. Prerequisite: PHYS 322.
Basic theory and experimental methods of NMR with emphasis on resonance and relaxation in metals. Brief discussion of interpretation of NMR in non-metallic solids, liquids, and gases.
PHYS 358. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance II
3 credits. Lecture. Prerequisite: PHYS 357.
Basic theory and experimental methods of NMR with emphasis on resonance and relaxation in metals. Brief discussion of interpretation of NMR in non-metallic solids, liquids, and gases.
PHYS 361. Low Temperature Physics I
3 credits. Lecture.
Lectures and seminars on selected topics in low temperature physics; superfluidity and super-conductivity, solid state, nuclear alignment and polarization, transport properties in solids.
PHYS 362. Low Temperature Physics II
3 credits. Lecture. Prerequisite: PHYS 361.
Lectures and seminars on selected topics in low temperature physics; superfluidity and super-conductivity, solid state, nuclear alignment and polarization, transport properties in solids.
PHYS 363. The Electrical Properties of Polymers
3 credits. Lecture.
Experimental and theoretical aspects of electrical phenomena in polymers: DC and AC conductivity, dielectric constant, electrical breakdown, photoconductivity, etc. Extended and localized electron wavefunctions; band and hopping conduction.
PHYS 365. Quantum Optics
3 credits. Lecture. Prerequisite: PHYS 322.
Semiclassical theory of light-matter interactions. Quantum states of light. Generation, detection and interactions of nonclassical radiation.
PHYS 367. Semiconductor Physics
3 credits. Lecture. Prerequisite: PHYS 377 and PHYS 323, which may be taken concurrently.
Semiconductors and semiconductor devices. Band structure, phonon scattering, velocity-field relations, effects of doping and magnetic fields, optical and transport properties.
PHYS 368. Semiconductor Optical Devices
3 credits. Lecture. Prerequisite: PHYS377.
Semiconductor based optical devices such as lasers, amplifiers, modulators, and photodetectors, and their application to optical fiber transmission systems.
PHYS 370. Principles of Lasers
3 credits. Lecture
The physics of lasers, including optical pumping and stimulated emission, laser rate equations, optical resonators, non-linear optics, the Kerr effect and Faraday rotation. Applications to gas, crystal, glass, liquid, dye, semiconductor, chemical and ultraviolet lasers, Q-switching, mode-locking, and parametric devices.
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These courses are available only through the Physics M.S.
Extension Program with an emphasis in optics, which is
not being offered at the present time.
PHYS 371. Physical Optics I
3 credits. Lecture. Prerequisite: PHYS 311.
Maxwell’s equation, solutions of the wave equation, reflection and refraction, intensity, interference, Kirchhoff’s diffraction theory.
PHYS 372. Physical Optics II
3 credits. Lecture. Prerequisite: PHYS 371.
Fraunhofer and Fresnel diffraction, diffraction theory of aberrations. Fourier optics and coherence theory. Consent of instructor required of non-degree graduate students.
PHYS 373. Geometrical Optics I
3 credits. Lecture.
Wave surfaces and rays, reflection and refraction, dispersion, ray tracing, paraxial optics, simple instruments.
PHYS 374. Geometrical Optics II
3 credits. Lecture. Prerequisite: PHYS 373.
First and third order aberrations, aberration control, optical system design.
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PHYS 376. Interact of Light with Matter
3 credits. Lecture.
Introduction to classical and quantum theories of the interaction of electromagnetic radiation with matter. Applications to remote sensing, photochemistry, laser fusion, solar energy conversion and photosynthesis.
PHYS 377. Fundamentals of Solid State Physics I
3 credits. Lecture.
Crystal structure, phonons, electronic band structure, metals, insulators and semiconductors.
PHYS 378. Fundamentals of Solid State Physics II
3 credits. Lecture. Prerequisite: PHYS 377.
Optical, magnetic and transport properties. Lattice defects. Non-crystalling solids.
†GRAD 395. Master’s Thesis Research
1 - 9 credits.
†GRAD 396. Full-Time Master’s Research
3 credits.
†GRAD 397. Full-Time Directed Studies (Master’s Level)
3 credits.
GRAD 398. Special Readings (Master’s)
Non-credit.
GRAD 399. Thesis Preparation
Non-credit.
†GRAD 495. Doctoral Dissertation Research
1 - 9 credits.
†GRAD 496. Full-Time Doctoral Research
3 credits.
†GRAD 497. Full-Time Directed Studies (Doctoral Level)
3 credits.
GRAD 498. Special Readings (Doctoral)
Non-credit.
GRAD 499. Dissertation Preparation
Non-credit.