PHYSICS 210: Advanced Mechanics (PHYSICS 110)
Lagrangian and Hamiltonian mechanics. Principle of least action, Euler-Lagrange equations. Small oscillations and beyond. Symmetries, canonical transformations, Hamilton-Jacobi theory, action-angle variables. Introduction to classical field theory. Selected other topics, including nonlinear dynamical systems, attractors, chaotic motion. Undergraduates register for
Physics 110 (4 units). Graduates register for
Physics 210 (3 units). (Graduate student enrollees will be required to complete additional assignments in a format determined by the instructor.) Prerequisites:
MATH 131P, and PHYS 112 or MATH elective 104 or higher. Recommended prerequisite: PHYS 130.
Terms: Aut
| Units: 3-4
Instructors:
Qi, X. (PI)
PHYSICS 211: Continuum Mechanics
Elasticity, fluids, turbulence, waves, gas dynamics, shocks, and MHD plasmas. Examples from everyday phenomena, geophysics, and astrophysics.
Terms: Win
| Units: 3
Instructors:
Zhang, S. (PI)
PHYSICS 216: Back of the Envelope Physics
Techniques such as scaling and dimensional analysis, useful to make order-of-magnitude estimates of physical effects in different settings. Goals are to promote a synthesis of physics through solving problems, including problems that are not usually thought of as physics. Applications include properties of materials, fluid mechanics, geophysics, astrophysics, and cosmology. Prerequisites: undergraduate mechanics, statistical mechanics, electricity and magnetism, and quantum mechanics.
Terms: Aut
| Units: 3
Instructors:
Blandford, R. (PI)
;
Lewandowski, M. (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: Spr
| Units: 3
PHYSICS 230: Quantum Mechanics
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:
Susskind, L. (PI)
;
Lamprou, L. (TA)
PHYSICS 231: Quantum Mechanics
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:
Hayden, P. (PI)
;
Ghazi Nezami, S. (TA)
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); graduate students required to complete additional assignments in a format determined by the instructor. Prerequisites:
PHYSICS 130,
PHYSICS 131.
Terms: Aut
| Units: 3-4
Instructors:
Hayden, P. (PI)
PHYSICS 240: Introduction to the Physics of Energy
Energy as a consumable. Forms and interconvertability. World joule nnbudget. Equivalents in rivers, oil pipelines and nuclear weapons. nnQuantum 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. PREREQUISITES: Strong undergraduate background in elementary chemistry and physics. PHYS 240 and PHYS 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. (Graduates student enrollees will be required to complete additional assignments in a format determined by the instructor.) Prerequisite:
PHYSICS 130. Pre- or corequisite:
PHYSICS 131.
Terms: Spr
| Units: 3
Instructors:
Peskin, M. (PI)
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