Review of formalism of nonrelativistic quantum mechanics including symmetries and invariance. Approximation methods and scattering theory. Elementary quantum theory of radiation. Introduction to one-particle relativistic wave equations.
Concepts of relativistic quantum mechanics, elementary quantum field theory, and Feynman diagrams. Application to many particle systems. Students who have not taken PHYS 701 but have an equivalent background in Quantum Mechanics may seek the instructor's consent to register in this course.
PHYS 703Introduction to Quantum Field Theory0.50 units
Review of relativistic quantum mechanics and classical field theory. Quantization of free quantum fields (the particle interpretation of field quanta). Canonical quantization of interacting fields (Feynman rules). Application of the formalism of interactin quantum fields to lowest-order quantum electrodynamic processes. Radiative corrections and renormalization.
Statistical basis of thermodynamics; microcanonical, canonical and grand canonical ensembles; quantum statistical mechanics, theory of the density matrix; fluctuations, noise, irreversible thermodynamics; transport theory; application to gases, liquids, solids.
Phase transitions. Fluctuation phenomena. Kubo's theory of time correlation functions for transport and spectral properties; applications selected from a variety of topics including linearized hydrodynamics of normal and superfluids, molecular liquids, liquid crystals, surface phenomena, theory of the dielectric constant, etc. Students who have not taken PHYS 704 but have an equivalent background in Statistical Physics may seek the instructor's consent to register in this course.
Solutions to Maxwell's equations; radiation theory; normal modes; multipole expansion; Kirchhoff's diffraction theory; radiating point charge; optical theorem. Special relativity; transformation laws for the electromagnetic field; line broadening; dispersion; Kramers-Kronig relations. Magnetohydrodynamics and plasmas.
Introduction to group theory; symmetry, the group concept, representation theory, character theory. Applications to molecular vibrations, the solid state, quantum mechanics and crystal field theory.
Emphasis on atomic structure and spectroscopy. Review of angular momentum, rotations, Wigner-Eckart theorem, n-j symbols. Energy levels in complex atoms, Hartree-Fock theory, radiative transitions and inner shell processes. Further topics selected with class interest in mind, at least one of which to be taken from current literature.
Review of potential theory of scattering. Applications chosen from elastic and inelastic neutron, X-ray, light, charged-particle, and atomic and molecular beam scattering.
Angular momentum and the rotation of molecules; introduction to group theory with application to molecular vibrations; principles of molecular spectroscopy; spectra of isolated molecules; intermolecular interactions and their effects on molecular spectra; selected additional topics (e.g., electronic structure of molecules, experimental spectroscopic techniques, neutron scattering, correlation functions, collision induced absorption, extension of group theory to molecular crystals, normal coordinate analysis, etc.).
PHYS 717Intermediate and High Energy Physics0.50 units
Strong, electromagnetic and weak interactions. Isospin, strangeness, conservation laws and symmetry principles. Leptons, hadrons, quarks and their classification, formation, interactions and decay.
Physical properties of atomic liquids; distribution functions and equilibrium properties, elementary perturbation theories and integral equation theories; simple metals, simple computer simulation; virial expansions and thermodynamic derivatives of g(r); experimental determination of g(r).
PHYS 735Photoconductivity and Luminescence0.50 units
Electron processes in crystals, photoconductive processes. Electrode effects, imperfection and energy band transitions, scattering traps and trapping effects. Recombination kinetics, luminescence. Experimental methods and analysis.
PHYS 736Optical Properties of Semiconductors0.50 units
Reflection and refraction of electromagnetic waves at dielectric and conducting interfaces. Dispersion, absorption processes, photo effects, magneto-optical effects, emission of radiation.
PHYS 741Electron Microscopy and Electron Diffraction0.50 units
Introduction to electron optics and the electron microscope; kinematical and dynamical theories of electron diffraction by perfect crystals and by crystals containing lattice imperfections, limited area electron diffraction, dark-field microscopy, interpretation of electron diffraction patterns and diffraction contrast effects in electron microscope images, selected experimental methods in electron microscopy.
PHYS 742Basic Theory of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance0.50 units
Quantum mechanics of spins in magnetic field; Bloch equations; NMR apparatus; the various nuclear spin interactions; spin temperature; density matrix; spin-lattice relaxation; double resonance.
PHYS 745Selected Topics in Experimental Physics0.50 units
A modular course in which each module deals with an established technique of experimental physics. Four modules will be offered during the winter and spring semesters. Typical topics are neutron diffraction, light scattering, acoustics, molecular beams, NMR, surface analysis, etc.
Optoelectronic component fabrication, light propagation in linear and nonlinear media, optical fiber properties, electro-optic and acousto-optic modulation, spontaneous and stimulated emission, semiconductor lasers and detectors, noise effects in fiber systems.
PHYS 748Microprocessors in the Physics Laboratory0.50 units
Interfacing and programming of microprocessors for applications in physics, including signal averaging, auto- and cross-correlation analysis, multichannel spectrum analysis, and Fourier transformation. Consideration of hardware versus software methods for optimization of speed and system size.
The physics of cellular structure and function; membrane theories, diffusion and active transport, bioelectric phenomena; intracellular motion, thermodynamics; selected topics of current interest and seminar.
Physical methods of determining macromolecular structure: energetics, intramolecular and intermolecular forces, with applications to lamellar structures, information storage, DNA and RNA, recognition and rejection of foreign molecules.
Physical properties and biological effects of different kinds of radiation: action of radiation on various cellular constituents: target theory, genetic effects, repair of radiation damage, physics of radiology and radiotherapy, isotopic tracers.
Specialized cells and organs; the nerve impulse and its propagation, muscle contraction, sensory transducers, the central nervous system; haemodynamics, the red blood corpuscle, homeostasis; selected topics of current interest, and seminar.
PHYS 765Quantum Theory of Solid Surfaces 10.50 units
Brief historical review. Molecular orbital approach to surface and chemisorption states. Use of Kronig-Penny, Mathieu potential and Nearly-Free-Electron models. Crystal composition, next-nearest neighbour interactions, sp-hybridization and applied field effects on surface states will be discussed.
Review of basics of quantum information and computational complexity; Simple quantum algorithms; Quantum Fourier transform and Shor factoring algorithm: Amplitude amplification, Grover search algorithm and its optimality; Completely positive trace-preserving maps and Kraus representation; Non-locality and communication complexity; Physical realizations of quantum computation: requirements and examples; Quantum error-correction, including CSS codes, and elements of fault-tolerant computation; Quantum cryptography; Security proofs of quantum key distribution protocols; Quantum proof systems. Familiarity with theoretical computer science or quantum mechanics will also be an asset, though most students will not be familiar with both.
At the Director's discretion a PhD student may receive course credit for a term of specialized studies at another institution. Formal evaluation is required.
Introduction to statistical theory and distribution laws. Statistical theory of the galactic system. Stellar motions in the solar vicinity. Galactic rotation. Space distribution of stars and their relation to the galaxy. Distribution of various galactic objects. Application to extra-galactic systems.
PHYS 784Advanced techniques in General Relativity and Applications to Black Holes0.50 units
Review of elementary general relativity. Timelike and null geodesic congruences. Hypersurfaces and junction conditions. Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulations of general relativity. Mass and angular momentum of a gravitating body. The laws of black-hole mechanics.
PHYS 785Introduction to Quantum Field Theory for Cosmology0.50 units
Introduction to scalar field theory and its canonical quantization in flat and curved spacetimes. The flat space effects of Casimir and Unruh. Quantum fluctuations of scalar fields and of the metric on curved space-times and application to inflationary cosmology. Hawking radiation.
PHYS 786Introduction to General Relativity with Applications to Cosmology0.50 units
Introduction to the differential geometry of Lorentzian manifolds. The priniciples of general relativity. Causal structure and cosmological singularities. Cosmological space-times with Killing vector fields. Friedmann-Lemaitre cosmologies, scalar, vector and tensor perburbations in the linear and nonlinear regimes. De Sitter space-times and inflationary models.
Friedmann-Robertson-Walker metric and dynamics; big bang thermodynamics; nucleosynthesis; recombination; perturbation theory and structure formation; anisotropies in the Cosmic Microwave Background; statistics of cosmological density and velocity fields; galaxy formation; inflation.
PHYS 890Inter-university Graduate Course in Biophysics0.50 units
This graduate course is offered using the combined biophysical resources of the Universities of Brock, Guelph, McMaster and Waterloo. Three topics constitute the equivalent of a one-term 3 hrs./week graduate course. Information about the course and the selection of individual topics can be obtained from the department course co-ordinator. Registration and credit will occur in the term of the last module.