PHYS1560
Modern Physics Laboratory [ Course Website ] [ Lab Website ]
This course is designed to provide students with experience in experimental research techniques used in modern physics. Emphasis is placed on experimental methods and procedures, the relationship among various observable quantities and data analysis. Six experiments are performed during the semester concentrating on three areas of modern physics: condensed matter physics, optics and nuclear physics. Subjects studied include superconductivity, Compton scattering, radioactivity, properties of lasers, nuclear and electron spin resonance, holography, Johnson noise, laser spectroscopy, and transport properties of semiconductors. Students working in pairs spend 6 to 8 hours in the laboratory each week. In addition, there is a one-hour lecture/discussion section per week. Some knowledge of electronics is useful but formal background in the subject is not required. Theoretical physics at the level of PHYS 1410 and PHYS 1420 is necessary for an understanding of experiments.
