Advanced Courses
CAS PY 501 Mathematical Physics
Prereq: CAS MA 226 and CAS PY 403 or equivalent. Introduction to complex variables and residue calculus, asymptotic methods, and conformal mapping; integral transforms; ordinary and partial differential equations; nonlinear equations; integral equations. Pi. 4 cr, 1st sem.
CAS PY 502 Computational Physics
Prereq: consent of instructor. Fundamental methods of computational physics and applications; numerical algorithms; linear algebra, differential equations; computer simulation; vectorization, parallelism, and optimization. Examples and projects on scientific applications. Sandvik. 4 cr, 1st sem.
CAS PY 511 Quantum Mechanics I
Prereq: CAS PY 451 and PY 452. General theory of quantum mechanics, including the Schrödinger, Heisenberg, and interaction pictures. The path integral formulation. Angular momentum: orbital and spin angular momentum, addition of angular momenta, Wigner-Eckart theorem. Scattering theory: time-independent, partial waves and phase shift, identical particles, time dependent, and propagators. El-Batanouny. 4 cr, 1st sem.
CAS PY 512 Quantum Mechanics II
Prereq: CAS PY 511. Continuation of CAS PY 511. Degenerate and nondegenerate perturbation theory. Second quantization of nonrelativistic systems with applications to scattering, lifetime of excited atomic states, many-body problems. Relativistic quantum mechanics: Klein-Gordon equation, Dirac equation. El-Batanouny. 4 cr, 2nd sem.
CAS PY 521 Electromagnetic Theory I
Prereq: CAS PY 405. Vector and tensor analysis. Electrostatics, uniqueness, electrostatic energy, capacitance. Boundary value problems, conformal mapping, variable separation, Green’s functions. Multipole expansion, electric polarization, atomic models, anisotropic media. Contour integration and application to frequency-dependent dielectric constant. Dielectrics, electrostatic energy, boundary value problems. Pi. 4 cr, 2nd sem.
CAS PY 522 Electromagnetic Theory II
Prereq: CAS PY 521. Continuation of CAS PY 521. Magnetostatics, dipole moment, magnetic materials, boundary value problems. Electromagnetic induction, magnetic energy, Maxwell’s equations. Electromagnetic waves in materials, reflection, refraction. Waveguides. Scattering and diffraction. Special relativity. Lorentz transformations, covariant electrodynamics. Interaction of charges with matter. Radiation, Lienard-Wiechert potential, synchotron radiation, antennas. Averitt. 4 cr, 1st sem.
CAS PY 541 Statistical Mechanics I
Prereq: CAS PY 410. Probability theory. Ensembles. Steepest descent methods. Paramagnetism, ideal gas, Einstein model, adsorption isotherms. Thermodynamics, Maxwell relations, heat capacity. Bose and Fermi gases. Electrons in metals, white dwarf stars, black-body radiation, phonons, Bose-Einstein condensation. Interacting systems, virial expansion, Van der Waals gas. Phase transitions: mean-field theories, spin systems. Polkovnikov. 4 cr, 1st sem.
CAS PY 542 Statistical Mechanics II
Prereq: CAS PY 541 or equivalent. Continuation of CAS PY 541; emphasis on applications. Phase transitions: thermodynamic theory of phase transitions, mean field theories (Landau theory). Fluctuations: equilibrium fluctuations, instabilities, fluctuation dissipation theories. Elementary kinetic theory: mean free path approach, Boltzmann equation. Stochastic mathematics: probability theory, Markoff processes, Gaussian processes. Brownian motion: Langevin equations, Fokker-Planck equation. Klein. 4 cr, 1st sem.
CAS PY 543 Introduction to Solid State Physics
Prereq: CAS PY 406, PY 410, PY 451, or consent of instructor. An introduction to crystal structure; lattice vibrations; electronic energy bands and Fermi surfaces; semiconductors, conductors, and insulators; superconductivity and magnetism. Smith. 4 cr, 2nd sem.
CAS PY 551 Introduction to Particle Physics
Prereq: CAS PY 451 and PY 452. Fundamental particles and their symmetries. Isospin and flavor. Discrete symmetries. Phenomenology of weak and strong interactions. Introduction to detector techniques. Bose. 4 cr, 2nd sem.
CAS PY 581 Advanced Laboratory
Prereq: CAS PY 354. Classical experiments in atomic and nuclear physics, development of new experiments, basic research projects. Experiments include magnetic resonance, nuclear-decay studies, Zeeman effect, holography, black-body radiation, X-ray diffraction, Mössbauer studies, and flux quantization, positron annihilation. Sulak. 4 cr, 1st sem.
GRS PY 621 Advanced Scientific Computing in Physics
Not offered 2009/2010
GRS PY 681 Electronics for Scientists
Not offered 2009/2010
