printer friendly pagePHYSICS 212: Statistical Mechanics
Principles, ensembles, statistical equilibrium. Thermodynamic functions, ideal and near-ideal gases. Fluctuations. Mean-field description of phase-transitions and associated critical exponents. One-dimensional Ising model and other exact solutions. Renormalization and scaling relations. Prerequisites:
PHYSICS 131, 171, or equivalents.
Terms: Aut
| Units: 3
Instructors:
Shenker, S. (PI)
PHYSICS 216: Back of the Envelope Physics
This course will cover order of magnitude or approximate, low-tech approaches to estimating physical effects in various systems. One goal is to promote a synthesis of understanding of basic physics (including quantum mechanics, electromagnetism, and physics of fluids) through solving various classic problems. Another goal will be to learn how to decide which terms in complicated equations can be omitted or simplified - and to obtain general features of the solution without solving them in their full complexity. We will be applying techniques such as scaling and dimensional analysis - with the overarching goal to develop physical intuition.
Terms: Spr
| Units: 2
Instructors:
Simon, J. (PI)
;
Tan, T. (TA)
PHYSICS 220: Classical Electrodynamics
Special relativity: The principles of relativity, Lorentz transformations, four vectors and tensors, relativistic mechanics and the principle of least action. Lagrangian formulation, charges in electromagnetic fields, gauge invariance, the electromagnetic field tensor, covariant equations of electrodynamics and mechanics, four-current and continuity equation. Noether's theorem and conservation laws, Poynting's theorem, stress-energy tensor. Constant electromagnetic fields: conductors and dielectrics, magnetic media, electric and magnetic forces, and energy. Electromagnetic waves: Plane and monochromatic waves, spectral resolution, polarization, electromagnetic properties of matter, dispersion relations, wave guides and cavities. Prerequisites:
PHYSICS 121 and
PHYSICS 210, or equivalent;
MATH 106 or
MATH 116, and
MATH 132 or equivalent.
Terms: Win
| Units: 3
Instructors:
Raghu, S. (PI)
PHYSICS 223: Stochastic and Nonlinear Dynamics (APPPHYS 223, BIO 223, BIOE 213)
Theoretical analysis of dynamical processes: dynamical systems, stochastic processes, and spatiotemporal dynamics. Motivations and applications from biology and physics. Emphasis is on methods including qualitative approaches, asymptotics, and multiple scale analysis. Prerequisites: ordinary and partial differential equations, complex analysis, and probability or statistical physics.
Terms: Aut
| Units: 3
Instructors:
Fisher, D. (PI)
PHYSICS 230: Graduate Quantum Mechanics I
Fundamental concepts. Introduction to Hilbert spaces and Dirac's notation. Postulates applied to simple systems, including those with periodic structure. Symmetry operations and gauge transformation. The path integral formulation of quantum statistical mechanics. Problems related to measurement theory. The quantum theory of angular momenta and central potential problems. Prerequisite:
PHYSICS 131 or equivalent.
Terms: Win
| Units: 3
Instructors:
Kivelson, S. (PI)
PHYSICS 231: Graduate Quantum Mechanics II
Basis for higher level courses on atomic solid state and particle physics. Problems related to measurement theory and introduction to quantum computing. Approximation methods for time-independent and time-dependent perturbations. Semiclassical and quantum theory of radiation, second quantization of radiation and matter fields. Systems of identical particles and many electron atoms and molecules. Prerequisite:
PHYSICS 230.
Terms: Spr
| Units: 3
Instructors:
Laughlin, R. (PI)
PHYSICS 234: Advanced Topics in Quantum Mechanics (PHYSICS 134)
Scattering theory, partial wave expansion, Born approximation. Additional topics may include nature of quantum measurement, EPR paradox, Bell's inequality, and topics in quantum information science; path integrals and applications; Berry's phase; structure of multi-electron atoms (Hartree-Fock); relativistic quantum mechanics (Dirac equation). Undergraduates register for
PHYSICS 134 (4 units). Graduate students register for
PHYSICS 234 (3 units). Prerequisite:
PHYSICS 131.
Terms: Win
| Units: 3
Instructors:
Susskind, L. (PI)
PHYSICS 240: Introduction to the Physics of Energy
Energy as a consumable. Forms and interconvertability. World Joule budget. Equivalents in rivers, oil pipelines and nuclear weapons. Quantum mechanics of fire, batteries and fuel cells. Hydrocarbon and hydrogen synthesis. Fundamental limits to mechanical, electrical and magnetic strengths of materials. Flywheels, capacitors and high pressure tanks. Principles of AC and DC power transmission. Impossibility of pure electricity storage. Surge and peaking. Solar constant. Photovoltaic and thermal solar conversion. Physical limits on agriculture.
Terms: Aut
| Units: 3
Instructors:
Laughlin, R. (PI)
PHYSICS 241: Introduction to Nuclear Energy
Radioactivity. Elementary nuclear processes. Energetics of fission and fusion. Cross-sections and resonances. Fissionable and fertile isotopes. Neutron budgets. Light water, heavy water and graphite reactors. World nuclear energy production. World reserves of uranium and thorium. Plutonium, reprocessing and proliferation. Half lives of fission decay products and actinides made by neutron capture. Nuclear waste. Three Mile Island and Chernobyl. Molten sodium breeders. Generation-IV reactors. Inertial confinement and magnetic fusion. Laser compression. Fast neutron production and fission-fusion hybrids. Prerequisities: Strong undergraduate background in elementary chemistry and physics.
PHYSICS 240 and
PHYSICS 252 recommended but not required. Interested undergraduates encouraged to enroll, with permission of instructor.
Terms: Win
| Units: 3
Instructors:
Laughlin, R. (PI)
PHYSICS 252: Introduction to Particle Physics I (PHYSICS 152)
Elementary particles and the fundamental forces. Quarks and leptons. The mediators of the electromagnetic, weak and strong interactions. Interaction of particles with matter; particle acceleration, and detection techniques. Symmetries and conservation laws. Bound states. Decay rates. Cross sections. Feynman diagrams. Introduction to Feynman integrals. The Dirac equation. Feynman rules for quantum electrodynamics and for chromodynamics. Undergraduates register for
PHYSICS 152. Graduate students register for
PHYSICS 252. (Graduate students will be required to complete additional assignments in a format determined by the instructor.) Prerequisite:
PHYSICS 130.
Terms: Spr
| Units: 3
Instructors:
Vernieri, C. (PI)
;
Ntounis, D. (TA)
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