Laboratory course at intermediate level to acquaint physics and chemistry majors with basic systems and techniques for making electrical and optical measurements. Weekly physics colloquium series presenting guest speakers on topics of interest to scientific community. Required of all graduate students in residence. Includes reading, research, writing, reporting, and discussion. Techniques of nuclear physics, solid state physics, and optics.
Laboratory emphasizes techniques found in research and development of materials.
Cosmological implications of recent astronomical discoveries. Introduction to kinetic theory approach to behavior of systems not in equilibrium, Boltzmann Equation, and transport processes. Development of statistical mechanics and ensemble approach to equilibrium statistical thermodynamics. Teaches basics of physical and geometrical optics and atomic physics in detail to understand the design, operation, and application of lasers. Topics include matrix methods in ray optics, gaussian beams, cavity design, rate equation models of laser gain media, pulsed and CW lasers, different types of lasers, and nonlinear optics.