Condensed Matter and Optics (U03754)

? Credit Points : 10 ? SCQF Level : 9 ? Acronym : PHY-3-ConMatOp

This course gives a broad introduction to condensed matter and physical optics.

Condensed matter provides an introduction to the basic concepts of the behaviour of electrons in metals. The failures of the classical model to describe the behaviour of real metals will be explored. The simplest quantum model, the free electron model, will be outlined and its
successes and failures explored. Finally the effects of electron lattice interactions will be examined for the 1-d case and the nearly free electron model will be described.

Physical optics covers polarsiation of light and its properties, twin and multiple beam interference,
its applications in interferometers and thin films and simplifed diffractions and its implication in spectroscopy and imaging.

Entry Requirements

? Pre-requisites : Physics 2B: Waves, Quantum Physics and Materials (PHY-2-B); Foundations of Mathematical Physics (PHY-2-FoMP) or Principles of Mathematical Physics (PHY-2-PoMP).

? Prohibited combinations : U03232 Physics 3

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Undergraduate (School of Physics), (School of Physics, Schedule Q)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 3rd year

? Delivery Period : Semester 2 (Blocks 3-4)

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) per week for 11 weeks

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Tuesday	10:00	10:50	KB
Lecture	Friday	10:00	10:50	KB

? Additional Class Information : Workshop/tutorial sessions, as arranged.

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

On completion of this course a student should be able to demonstrate understanding of and be able to solve problems on:

Condensed Matter:
1) Familiar with the failures of the classical model to describe the behaviour of electrons in metals.

2) Able to understand the quantum description of the non-interacting electrons in metals the free electron model

3) Familiar with the concepts of a weak electron lattice interaction and the nearly free electron model

Optics:
1)linear polarised light, Fresnel's relations and Brewster's angle at an interface, circular and elliptical polarised light, concept of crystal birefringent and activity,

2)optical interference in amplitude and wavefront division schemes, basic interferometers and their uses, Newton's rings, thin films for anti-reflection and high reflectivity applications

3)far-field diffraction, Fourier formulation and relation to imaging system , Rayleigh resolution criteria, concept of Fresnel diffraction