Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

Advanced electromagnetism, magnetism of materials and magnetic resonance, and advanced statistical mechanics are the fundamental topics for any advanced-level Physics degree. They provide fundamental background knowledge and problem solving skills that are essential in any area of modern theoretical, experimental, and applied physics. This unit also provides you with an essential platform for further studies and research in physics and applied physics in Honours and at the post-graduate level.

Aims

The aim of this unit is to provide you with an advanced understanding of fundamental physical phenomena related to electro-magnetism and wave propagation, quantum and statistical basis of nuclear magnetism and magnetic resonance, statistical mechanics, quantum statistics, and general statistical thermodynamics.

Objectives

On completion of this unit, you should:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of physical effects and methods of analysis associated with electromagnetic wave propagation, dissipation and generation in different media and structures.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental physical principles of magnetic resonance and its applications in physics, chemistry, molecular biology and the biomedical sciences.
3. Characterise statistical systems of classical and quantum particles, and understand statistical behaviour of real macroscopic objects.
4. Solve complex problems in the indicated areas of physics.
5. Apply the obtained knowledge and skills in new physics contexts.

Content

Advanced Electromagnetism:
- Maxwell's Equations.
- Phasor representation, polarisation - plane, circular, elliptical.
- Theory of dispersion of dielectric permittivity.
- Power and the Poynting vector.
- Electromagnetic waves in matter: Reflection and Transmission
- Waveguides: rectangular and circular propagation, propagation modes.
- Excitation of waveguides and resonators.
- Fundamentals of theory of optical fibres, dielectric and hollow waveguides.
- Interaction of electromagnetic waves with phonons, free and bound electrons.

Magnetic Resonance:
- Magnetism of materials; physical basis of diamagnetism and paramagnetism.
- Diamagnetism in atoms and molecules; chemical shift.
- Quantum description of spin paramagnetism: Zeeman levels, resonance condition and selection rules.
- Level populations, equilibrium magnetisation and Curie law.
- Classical and quantum descriptions of spin dynamics; Bloch equations.
- Fourier transform NMR.
- Spin relaxation; spin-echo and inversion-recovery experiments.
- Solid-state NMR and dipolar spin Hamiltonian.

Advanced Statistical Mechanics:
- Revision of the microscopic approach to entropy.
- Equilibrium of a system in a heat bath. Boltzmann distribution, partition function.
- Paramagnetism.
- Thermodynamic potentials. Maxwell's relations and their application to particular systems.
- Perfect and real gases.
- Phase equilibria. Equilibrium conditions. The Clausius-Clapeyron equation, the critical point.
- Perfect quantum gas.
- Gibbs distribution. Fermi-Dirac and Bose-Einstein distributions.
- Bose-Einstein condensate.
- Fluctuations in statistical systems.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

In this unit you will attend approximately 52 hours of lectures covering the content as described above. You will also be required to undertake directed private study to supplement the lectures.

Assessment

In this unit you will attend approximately 52 hours of lectures covering the content as described above. You will also be required to undertake directed private study to supplement the lectures.The assessment will consist of assignments (problem sets) covering each of the three sections; a mid-semester exam; and a final exam.

Assessment name: Problem Solving Task
Description: Class problems (Formative)
Approximate Timing: Weekly or fortnightly
Relates to objectives: 1 - 5
Weight: 25%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: See description

Assessment name: Examination (Theory)
Description: Mid-semester examination (Formative and summative)
Relates to objectives: 1, 4, 5
Weight: 25%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 8

Assessment name: Examination (Theory)
Description: End-semester examination (Summative)
Relates to objectives: 1 - 5
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Exam Period

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

1. Griffith DJ (1999) Introduction to Electrodynamics, Prentice Hall (prescribed)

2. Hore PJ (1995) Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Oxford University Press (prescribed)

3. Hore PJ, Jones JA & Wimperis S (2000) NMR: The Toolkit, Oxford University Press (recommended)

4. Nelson JH (2003) Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy, Pearson (recommended)

5. Mandl F (1995) Statistical Physics, New York: John Wiley & Sons (prescribed)

6. Schroeder V (2000) An Introduction to Thermal Physics, Addison Wesley Longman

Risk assessment statement

There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with this unit; you will attend lectures in traditional classrooms and lecture theatres.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 06-Feb-2013