YEAR 2 PHYSICS SEM 2 LEARNING OBJECTIVES

MATHEMATICS FOR SCIENTISTS 4 (FOURIER ANALYSIS & TRANSFORMS + LINEAR EQUATIONS OF SCIENCE) Aims: The aim of this unit is to introduce mathematical concepts and techniques required by science students, and to show how these may be used for different applications. It also aims to continue the development of students' problem-solving skills and their understanding of mathematical results. Learning Outcomes: After taking this unit the student should be able to: * evaluate Fourier series and transforms, and use their properties to solve problems; * use transform methods to solve differential equations; * apply Fourier techniques to problems in the physical sciences; * recognise and solve some of the key equations which arise in the natural sciences; * apply the separation of variables method to linear partial differential equations, and solve the resulting ordinary differential equations by series solution. Skills: Numeracy T/F A, Problem Solving T/F A. Content: Fourier series (5 hours): Periodic functions. Harmonic synthesis. Representation as a Fourier series, Fourier components. Expansion of finite range functions. Applications of Fourier series. Complex form of Fourier series and coefficients. Discrete amplitude spectra. Transition to aperiodic functions (7 hours): The Fourier transform. Integral definition and properties of the Fourier transform. Use of tables in evaluating transforms. Solution of differential equations. Dirac delta function. Convolution, sampling theorem. Uses and applications of Fourier techniques in the physical sciences. Linear equations of science (10 hours): Derivation of the diffusion equation as an example of how PDEs arise in nature. Introduction to Laplace's, Poisson and wave equations. Linearity and superposition. Boundary conditions. Solution by separation of variables in Cartesian, cylindrical and spherical coordinate systems. Series solution of ODEs, including Legendre polynomials and Bessel functions. CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS 1 Aims: The aims of this unit are to introduce students to the basic concepts and models of solid state physics, with an emphasis on crystalline, electronic and magnetic structure. Learning Outcomes: After taking this unit the student should be able to: * know the ways in which crystal structures are described formally and relate structures in real space to those in reciprocal space; * describe how X-ray and neutron diffraction is related to the properties of the reciprocal lattice, and used in structural studies. * discuss why classical theories of electrons in solids fail, and why they have to be treated quantum mechanically; * explain the concept of density of states; * describe how allowed and forbidden energy bands arise as a result of crystal potentials and how the properties of electrons in allowed energy bands determine the electrical and optical behaviour; * appreciate the difference between metals, semiconductors and insulators; * discuss the factors that control the electrical conductivity of metals and semiconductors; * describe classical theories of diamagnetism, paramagnetism, and the ferromagnetic properties of materials; * describe how crystalline structures vibrate, and the associated theories of heat capacity. Skills: Numeracy T/F A, Problem Solving T/F A. Content: Crystal structures (4 hours): Translational symmetry; lattices and basis, Miller indices. Diffraction of waves in crystalline structures; Bragg law, the reciprocal lattice and Brillouin zones. X-ray and neutron diffraction studies of crystal structures. Free electron theory of solids (4 hours): The classical free electron theory and its failures. The quantum free electron theory (electrons as waves). The basic properties

of metals; density of states and the Fermi sphere. The Hall effect. Electronic structure of solids (5 hours): The effect of crystalline periodicity. Energy band diagrams and effective masses. The distinction between metals, semiconductors and insulators. Electrons and holes. Basic properties of semiconductors; the effects of doping, donors and acceptors. Magnetism (3 hours): Permeability and magnetic susceptibility. The origin of magnetic moments in solids. Classical models of diamagnetism and paramagnetism. Ferromagnetism and the exchange interaction. Ferromagnetic M-H loops. Paul paramagnetism; and itinerant electron ferromagnetism in metals. Lattice dynamics (4 hours): Optical and acoustic vibrations. Phonons. Classical and quantum theories of heat capacity. SEMICONDUCTOR PHYSICS Aims: The aims of this unit are to explore some of the physics underlying the behaviour of electrons in semiconductor materials and the operation of simple semiconductor devices. Learning Outcomes: After taking this unit the student should be able to: * discuss the basic concepts of semiconductor physics; * calculate carrier concentrations and effective masses; * outline the basic principles of semiconductor device operation; * describe the interactions between electrons and photons such as absorption, spontaneous emission and stimulated emission; * give examples of common optoelectronic devices for emitting, detecting and modulating light, and explain their physical principles of operation. Skills: Numeracy T/F A, Problem Solving T/F A. Content: Basic properties of semiconductors (4 hours): Electrons and holes and their effective masses. Extrinsic and intrinsic semiconductors; donors and acceptors. Electron and hole concentrations, semiconductor statistics. Transport properties (2 hours): Electrical conduction and scattering of electrons and holes in solids. Drift velocity, resistivity, diffusion, electron-hole recombination, recombination length. The Hall effect. The p-n junction (2 hours): The unbiased p-n junction; junction formation, depletion layer width. Biased p-n junctions; band profiles, depletion region width, junction capacitance. Balance of drift and diffusion currents. Qualitatitive introduction to the ideal diode equation, reverse bias breakdown. Electron-photon interaction in semiconductors (3 hours): Optical absorption in bulk semiconductors; spectral dependence, photocurrent, P-I-N photodiodes. Optical emission in semiconductors; radiative and non-radiative transitions, light-emitting diodes. ELECTROMAGNETISM Aims: The aims of this unit are to develop a vectorial description of electric, magnetic and electromagnetic fields in infinite materials and at boundaries between materials, to derive some individual solutions and to make use of them in a few important applications. A further aim is to provide an introduction to the operation of lasers. Learning Outcomes: After taking this unit the student should be able to: * derive and interpret Maxwell's equations and their solution in vacuum; * list the distinguishing features of electromagnetic plane waves and write down a mathematical expression for a linearly or circularly polarised light wave; * analyse in detail the propogation of vectorial plane waves in vacuum and in various materials; * describe the origins of polarisation and magnetisation in materials; * match electric and magnetic fields at boundaries between materials and explain the origins of Brewster's angle and total internal reflection; * describe how lasting action is obtained and maintained and outline the main properties of laser light. Skills: Numeracy T/F A, Problem Solving T/F A. Content: Introduction to Maxwell's equations (7 hours): Derivation of integral and differential forms of Maxwell's equations and continuity equation. The wave

equation in source-free vacuum. Plane wave solutions. Electromagnetic plane waves (3 hours): 3D plane waves, vector nature of electromagnetic wavesl relationships between E, B and k. Impedance. Electromagnetic energy and the Poynting vector. Radiation pressure. Polarisation; Law of Malus, circular and elliptical polarisation. Birefringence, wave plates. Maxwell's equations in infinite materials (6 hours): Concepts of linearity, isotropy and homogeneity. Characterisation of materials in terms of macroscopic parameters. Dipoles, susceptibility and polarisation / magnetisation. The modified wave equation; solution in conductors, dielectrics, lossy media and plasmas. Boundaries between media (4 hours): The general electromagnetic boundary conditions. Plane waves at a planar boudary, general angle of incidence (Fresnel equations). Total internal reflection and evanescent waves. Coefficients of transmission and reflection. Brewster and critical angles. Lasers (2 hours): Interaction between light and matter. The Einstein relations. Obtaining and maintaining lasing action. Cavity modes. The properties of laser light. PROGRAMMING SKILLS Aims: The aims of this unit are to introduce and develop structured programming skills in a high-level language as a tool for the numerical solution of physical problems. A further aim is to develop the student's awareness of the sources of error in numerical calculations and the means of reducing them. Learning Outcomes: After taking this unit the student should be able to: * carry out the structured design of a computer program using flowcharts or pseudocode; * give examples of the introduction of rounding errors due to numerical techniques and methods of minimising such problems; * write computer programs in a high level structured language including arithmetic expressions, loops, branching instructions and arrays; * describe methods for testing and debugging programs and apply these techniques to the student's own computer programs; * outline the advantages of using subprograms and write computer programs in a high level structured language using external subprograms; * use numerical techniques to solve physical problems. Skills: Written Communication T/F A, Numeracy T/F A, Information Technology T/F A, Problem Solving T/F A. Content: Introduction to numerical analysis: Use of computers in numerical analysis. Basic vocabulary of computers: Compilation, linking. Variable types. Generic control structures; loops and conditionals. Input and output. Arrays. Floating point round-off and truncation errors. Maximum integer size. Syntax of the C language: Intrinsic functions of C. Operators and precedences. Introduction to UNIX: Drives, files and directories in UNIX systems. Essential UNIX commands and editing. Applications: Root finding. Function evaluation via series expansion and look-up tables. Matrix diagonalisation, normal mode problems. Structured programming: Subprograms, modules, libraries, pointers, structures in C, inheritances, complex numbers. Applications: Transfer matrix and/or shooting methods.