PHYS 598

Spring 2007 All Classes

All Classes

Special Topics in Physics

Credit: 1 TO 4 hours.

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 2007
CRN	Type	Section	Time	Day	Location	Instructor	Section Details
36788	Lecture	MMB	1:00PM -2:20PM	TR	Loomis Laboratory	Goldbart, P	Part of Term: 1 Date Range: 01/16/07-05/02/07 Credit: 4 hours Section Title: Math Methods in Physics II 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.
36793	Lecture	PLX	1:00PM -2:20PM	TR	Loomis Laboratory	Oono, Y	Part of Term: 1 Date Range: 01/16/07-05/02/07 Credit: 4 hours Section Title: Nonlinearity and Complexity Section Info: NONLINEARITY AND COMPLEXITY: BIOLOGY FOR THEORETICAL PHYSICISTS. How should physicists cope with truly complex systems (biological systems)? In Part I, some concepts such as chaos, renormalization, randomness, etc., will be introduced that are relevant to complex systems and nonlinear systems. In Part II (the main part), we will critically analyze what complexity means and then phenomenologically survey the world of organisms. The course will inevitably be an open-ended one: can we extract some general framework to understand biological systems? A fairly complete set of lecture notes will be available. Restriction(s): Restricted to Graduate - Urbana-Champaign.
36792	Lecture	QOI	9:00AM -10:20AM	TR	Loomis Laboratory	Kwiat, P	Part of Term: 1 Date Range: 01/16/07-05/02/07 Credit: 4 hours Section Title: Quantum Optics and Information Section Info: TOPICS IN QUANTUM OPTICS AND INFORMATION. The field of quantum information uses the nonclassical, often counter-intuitive, features of quantum physics (including the wave-particle duality, superposition, and entanglement) to surpass the information-processing capabilities of systems restricted by classical physics. We will first focus on experiments highlighting the underlying fundamental quantum phenomena, including tests of nonlocality, quantum erasers, the quantum Zeno effect, multi-particle interference, and fast- and slow-light. Building on this, we will then consider various topics in quantum communication, including quantum cryptography and teleportation, and some basic quantum information theory. Next we will survey the main quantum computation algorithms and techniques for error correction, concluding by discussing the main experimental "qubit" systems under investigation. There are ~8 problem sets, and 1.5 papers. Note: This course satisfies one of the Physics Department "breadth" requirements. Prerequisites: PHYS 580 is recommended. Advanced undergraduates admitted with consent of instructor. Restriction(s): Restricted to Graduate - Urbana-Champaign.