PHYS 598

Spring 2005 All Classes

All Classes

Special Topics in Physics

Credit: 1 TO 4 hours.

(PHYCS 498) Lecture course in topics of current interest. Several subjects are announced in each Class Schedule. Among them are semiconductor physics, magnetic resonance, surface physics, lattice dynamics, band theory of solids, crystal imperfections, nuclear structure, field theory, elementary particle physics, advanced statistical mechanics, plasma theory, astrophysics, atmospheric physics, group theory and applications.

Prerequisite: Determined for each offering; see Class Schedule.

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PHYS 598 class schedule data for spring 2005
CRN	Type	Section	Time	Day	Location	Instructor	Section Details
36791	Lecture	CFT	10:30AM -11:50AM	TR	Loomis Laboratory	Katz, S	Part of Term: 1 Date Range: 01/18/05-05/04/05 Credit: 4 hours Section Info: CONFORMAL FIELD THEORY. This course will be a systematic exploration of conformal invariance and conformal field theories. We will study a variety of examples, along with their applications in condensed matter physics and string theory. We will also survey recent research relating to conformal field theories. Prerequisite: PHYS 582 (General Field Theory) (PHYCS 483) or consent of instructor.
36793	Lecture	MAP	1:00PM -2:20PM	TR	Loomis Laboratory	Demarco, B	Part of Term: 1 Date Range: 01/18/05-05/04/05 Credit: 4 hours Section Info: MODERN ATOMIC PHYSICS. Activity in atomic physics has exploded during the last fifteen years because of the development of new techniques for cooling atoms to nearly zero temperature and methods for coherent control of atomic quantum states. Ultra-cold atom gases are now used as primary time and frequency standards and as the most precise inertial sensors, while experiments with trapped atomic ions are the best candidate for building a quantum computer. Cold atomic and molecular gases are also used in experiments that probe fundamental symmetries. This course will focus on the physics behind current experiments in the field of atomic, molecular, and optical physics. Topics to be covered will include atomic structure; the interaction of atoms with electro-magnetic fields; atom trapping using magnetic, electric, and optical fields; laser and evaporative cooling; and atomic collisions.
36788	Lecture	MMB	1:00PM -2:20PM	TR	Loomis Laboratory	Stone, M	Part of Term: 1 Date Range: 01/18/05-05/04/05 Credit: 4 hours Section Info: MATHEMATICAL METHODS IN PHYSICS. A continuation of PHYS 598MMA focusing on further core techniques widely used in the physical sciences. Emphasis is on applications, and a broad range of illustrative examples will be explored. Students do not need to have taken PHYS 598MMA. Primary topics include: complex variables (analyticity, Cauchy's theorem, residue calculus, conformal mappings, integral transforms, asymptotic techniques, Riemann surfaces); group theory in classical and quantum systems (discrete and continuous groups, representation theory, physical applications of topology); tensors in physics (Cartesian tensors, curved spaces, elementary Riemannian geometry). Restriction(s): Restricted to Graduate - Urbana-Champaign.
36792	Lecture	NMP	9:00AM -10:20AM	TR	Loomis Laboratory	Bezryadin, A	Part of Term: 1 Date Range: 01/18/05-05/04/05 Credit: 4 hours Section Info: MODERN NANOSCIENCE AND MESOSCOPIC PHYSICS. Understanding the physical properties of nanoscale systems has become a major topic in both science and technology. This course is intended to provide a comprehensive overview, focusing on electronic properties of systems with dimensions of the order of 10 to 100 nanometers. The branch of physics, called Mesoscopic Physics, provides the basis for understanding nanoscale structures and electronic devices. At the beginning of this course we will review basics of quantum mechanics and solid state physics. Then we will begin our survey of nanoscience by examining classic problems of electron transport in nanostructures. A number of new exciting topics, from macroscopic quantum tunneling and quantum confinement effects in nanostructures to more recent realization of electronic devices based on single molecules will be discussed. Other topics of interest are superconductivity and magnetism in nanostructures, and solid state realizations of a qubit (the basic element of a quantum computer). We will review the prospects of finding new physical principles which could replace the silicon transistor technology when it reaches its natural limits. Throughout the course, we will review both methods of creating nanostructures as well as the techniques used to examine their properties. Prerequisite: PHYS 211-212-213-214. Basic knowledge of calculus and differential equations is assumed. Both graduate and undergraduate students are encouraged to participate.
36794	Lecture	NSM	9:00AM -10:20AM	MW	Loomis Laboratory	Oono, Y	Part of Term: 1 Date Range: 01/18/05-05/04/05 Credit: 4 hours Section Info: NONEQUILIBRIUM STATISTICAL MECHANICS: AN INTRODUCTION. Standard and practical tools for the study of nonequilibrium processes (e.g., Langevin equation, van Hove theory) will be outlined with general theoretical discussions. (The lecture notes used the last time this course was offered are available as a PDF file from www.rinst.org. Main topics will remain.)