PH2501: Applied Physics
Module Provider: |
Physics |
Number of credits: |
10 [5 ECTS credits] |
Level: |
I (Intermediate) |
Terms in which taught: |
Spring |
Module Convenor: |
Dr
RJ
Stewart |
Pre-requisites: |
PH1002
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Co-requisites: |
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Modules excluded: |
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Current from: |
2005/6 |
Aims:
To enable students to develop an understanding of basic electronics and optics.
To provide students with an understanding of the concepts of circuit design and analysis, and to develop problem solving skills in applications to a range of electronic systems.
To give students an understanding of the very basic optics that every physicist should know, and at least somewhere to start on a few more advanced topics. |
Assessable learning outcomes:
After the module each student should be able to:
Employ circuit theorems to analyse dc and ac circuits
Design simple filter circuits
Employ the complex representation to determine the transfer function of an ac circuit
Sketch a Bode plot of first and second order systems
State the ideal and non-ideal properties of an operational
Design simple circuits involving operational amplifiers
Define negative feedback
Employ the infinite gain approximation
Determine the circuit response functions in operational amplifier systems involving negative feedback.
Specify what approximations are used in obtaining a solution to an optical problem in the paraxial limit of geometrical optics.
Define and use the concepts of refractive index, dispersion and optical path.
Use Snell's law.
Use the complex amplitude to calculate a quantity proportional to the measured irradiance.
Use graphical ray-tracing to obtain the image position and magnification for a thin positive lens, a thin negative lens and a mirror in air, in the paraxial approximation.
Obtain and use a conjugate formula in a suitable sign-convention, to calculate the image position and magnification for a single refracting surface, a thin lens and a mirror in air, in the paraxial approximation.
Describe the optical principles of the human eye, the astronomical telescope, the hand magnifier and the compound microscope, and carry out simple calculations of image position and magnification.
Describe the principle of light propagation in optical fibres and calculate the numerical aperture of a fibre.
Define interference. Explain the principle of Young's experiment and obtain an expression for the fringe separation.
Describe the idea of coherence in simple terms.
Explain the origin and form of interference fringes formed in a wedge, and in a parallel-sided plate and solve simple problems based on their application.
Describe the optical arrangement and principle of operation of an interferometer which uses each of these fringe types, and solve simple problems based on their application.
Describe the conditions under which diffraction of a light beam becomes important.
Explain physically the form of the Rayleigh-Sommerfeld diffraction integral in terms of the Huygens Fresnel principle.
Explain the meaning of the Fraunfhofer diffraction limit, and its significance.
Obtain the form of the Fraunhofer diffraction pattern of a rectangular aperture, sketch it, and perform simple calculations based on an understanding of its significance.
Write down the form of the Fraunhofer diffraction pattern of a circular aperture, sketch it, and perform simple calculations based on an understanding of its significance.
Describe the difference between the Fraunhofer and Fresnel diffraction limits.
Describe the principle of a diffraction grating, obtain the diffraction grating formula for a beam at normal incidence and calculate the positions of diffracted orders in a spectrometer.
Describe the states of polarization of a light beam in terms of the relative phase and amplitude of the components of the electric field.
Describe how the polarization-state of a beam may be changed using a retarder and using a polarizer. Explain Malus' Law. |
Additional outcomes:
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Outline content:
Electronics (DC, AC circuits, filters, operational amplifiers, microprocessors and stepper motors). Essentials of Optics (Geometric optics and instrumentation, diffraction and interference phenomena, polarisation) |
Brief description of teaching
and learning methods:
The teaching approach is via lectures (2 per week) and workshops (1 per week) Detailed notes are handed out for much of the course because of the fairly high mathematical content.
The recommended text for the Essentials of Optics part of the course is Optics by Eugene Hecht (Addison - Wesley) Fourth Edition. This is an excellent text, well worth buying. Its one disadvantage is its use of an outmoded sign convention in geometrical optics - students should be aware that Dr. O'Leary will use a different sign convention, which is now far more widely used by workers in the field. |
Contact hours:
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Autumn |
Spring |
Summer |
| Lectures |
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20 |
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| Tutorials/seminars |
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| Practicals |
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10 |
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| Other contact (eg study visits) |
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| Total hours |
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30 |
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| Number of essays or assignments |
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| Other (eg major seminar paper) |
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Assessment:
Coursework
Submitted solutions to examples selected from the workshop problems; departmental tests
Relative percentage of coursework 40%
Examinations
A formal closed-book examination in the Summer Term, worth 60% of the total mark for the module.
Requirements for a pass
40%.
Reassessment arrangements
A single 2h examination in September, 100%. |
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