SPRING 2016

Details of courses Physics

1

Course code

PHY 320

2.

Course Title

Physics Lab V

Credits

Course Coordinator &

participating faculty

Shouvik Datta*,Seema Sharma

Nature of Course

Pre requisites

Objectives (goals, type of

students for whom
useful, outcome etc)

This lab course offers the essential experiments that a student frequently
comes across during the lecture courses in advanced electrodynamics and
basic quantum physics. These experiments illustrate physics of the
electromagnetic radiation, their propagation, and interaction with matter.
The modern physics experiments are aimed to illustrate the quantum nature
of interactions at the subatomic scales. At the end of this course, the student
should feel more at home with the abstract physics formalism in addition to
the general appreciation for the experimental physics.

Course contents

Complete at least 7 experiments from the following list:

(details of topics
/sections with no. of
lectures for each)

1) Ionic conductivity
2) Magnetic Susceptibility measurement by Gouy's method
3) Skin depth measurement
4) Faraday effect
5) Generation and transmission of Electromagnetic waves (Lecher
Wire)
6) Microwave propagation
7) Constant deviation spectrometer
8) Blackbody radiation
9) Franck Hertz experiment
10) Determination of ionization potential

Evaluation /assessment

a. End-sem Examination - 30%

b. Mid-sem Examination- 20%
c. Continuous Evaluations & Lab Records for Each Experiment - 50%

10

Suggested readings

Text Book(s)
1. The Art of Experimental Physics: D.W. Preston and E.R. Dietz (1991),
John Wiley.
2. An introduction to Error Analysis, John R. Taylor, University Science
Books.
3. Advanced Practical Physics: B.L. Worsnop and H.T. Flint, Asia
Publishing House
4. Analytical Experimental Physics: M. Ference Jr., H.B. Lemon and R. J.
Stephenson (1970) University of Chicago Press.
5. The Art of Electronics: P. Horowitz and W. Hill (1989) 2nd edition,
Cambridge University Press.

Course code

PHY 322

Course Title

Statistical Mechanics-I

Credits

Course Coordinator

Anil Gangal

Nature of Course

L&T- Lectures & Tutorials

Pre requisites

Elementary classical and quantum physics, methods of mathematical physics

Objectives

It is an essential course for students interested in majoring in Physics. The

course shall give an introduction to microscopic understanding of the laws of
thermodynamics.
This course will be a prerequisite for Statistical Physics- II, and condensed
matter physics

Course contents

A) Revisiting classical thermodynamics and Probabilistic method,

B) Elementary Kinetic theory
C) Ensemble Theory , microscopic basis of Thermodynamics relations,
Simple applications , gases ,liquids ,solutions
D) Bose and Fermi statistics, Bose Einstein Condensation, Fermi Gas,
E) Introduction to phase transitions
About 15 lectures for parts A& B ; about 15 lectures for part C and about 10
lectures for parts D&E

Evaluation /assessment

End-sem examination ...35 %

Mid-sem examination .35%
Quiz 10%
Test based on assignments.20%

10

Suggested readings

Text Book(s)
a. Fundamental of Statistical and Thermal Physics, by F. Reif,
McGraw Hill Publication
b. Statistical Physics of Particles , by M. Kardar, Cambridge
University Press (2007)
c. Statistical Mechanics , by Kerson Huang, Wiley; second
edition ( 1987)
d. Statistical Mechanics by R.K. Pathria; P.D.Beale, Academic Press;
3 edition ( 2011)
e. Statistical Mechanics by F. Schwabl ; Springer Verlag second
edition(2006)

Course code

PHY324

Course Title

Quantum Mechanics II

Credits

Course Coordinator

Rejish Nath

Nature of Course

L- lectures alone

Pre requisites

Quantum Mechanics I

Objectives (goals, type of

students for whom
useful, outcome etc)

Will explore different techniques in quantum mechanics aiming to address

more realistic problems than we did in quantum mechanics 1.

Course contents

Angular Momentum algebra

(Details of topics
/sections with no. of
lectures for each)

Harmonic oscillator states

Hydrogen atom,
Approximation methods, WKB method,
Time dependent and independent perturbation theory
Scattering theory
Introduction to relativistic quantum mechanics

Evaluation /assessment

a. End-sem examination- 30%

b. Mid-sem examination- 30%
c. Quiz- 25%
d. Project work/term papere. Assignments- 15%

10

Text Book(s)

Suggested readings
(with full list of authors,
publisher, year, edn etc.)

1 ) Cohen Tannoudji, Vol 1 and 2.

2) Sakurai, Modern Quantum Mechanics

Course code

PHY341

Course Title

Physics at nano scale

Credits

Course Coordinator

Ashna Bajpai

Nature of Course

L- lectures alone

Pre requisites

Solid State Physics , Quantum Mechanics

Objectives (goals, type of

students for whom
useful, outcome etc)

Physics at nano scale aims to give effects of down scaling in electronic,

optical and magnetic properties of material , and introduce current research
trends in the field.
Useful for senior undergrads and int PhD/ PhD students in physics

Course contents
(details of topics
/sections with no. of
lectures for each)

Nanoscience & Nanotechnology? Historical perspective Size effects :

relevant examples from current research topics ; Fundamental and
Technological aspects (3 lectures)
Electrons in Solids ; Review of Solid State Physics Concepts and what to
expect in reduced dimensions ? (3 lectures) ;
Quantum confinement, quantum wells, wires and dots. ( 3 lectures) Length
scales, relevance to the associated physical properties. Clusters: noble metal,
semiconductors, magnetic. Effective mass, Excitons, Plasmons, (3 lectures).
Synthesis of nanomaterials: physical, chemical, biological methods. ( 2
Lectures)
Analysis techniques: microscopy techniques, electron
microscopes, scanning probe microscopes, diffraction techniques ,X-ray and
electron, spectroscopy techniques , optical and electron, ( 2 lectures); nano
fabrication : patterning , lithography, self assembly (1 lecture)

Properties of nano materials : Nano Electronics; Nano Photonics, Nano

Magnetism; Introduction to spintronics, GMR, CMR etc. Nano Mechanics;
Bionanotecnology, (6 lectures)
Some special materials: CNTs, Graphene, Porous Materials/ Battery
Material; Surfaces and Interfaces (5 Lectures).

Evaluation /assessment

Environmental effects and nano technology ( 1 lecture)

a. End-sem examination- 30%
b. Mid-sem examination-30%
c. Quiz- 30 % (two)
d.

10

Suggested readings
(with full list of authors,
publisher, year, edn etc.)

Research paper Reading - 10%

Text Book(s)
1. . Nanotechnology: Principles and Practices: S.K. Kulkarni (2009) Capital
Pub. Co., New Delhi
2. . Introduction to Nanotechnology: C.P. Poole, Jr. and F.J. Owens (2008)
Wiley-India edition
3. Optical Properties of Semiconductor Nanocrystals (Cambridge Studies
in Modern Optics): S.V. Gaponenko (1997) Cambridge University Press
4. The Physics of Micro/NanoFabrication: I. Brodie and J.J. Muray (1992)
Springer, Plenum Press
5. Introduction to Solid State Physics by Kittel

Course code

PHY342

Course Title (credits)

Nonlinear Dynamics

Credits:

3 credits

Course Coordinator

G Ambika

Nature of the course

L- lecture alone

Pre requisites

None

Objectives (goals, type of

students for whom
useful, outcome etc)

This is an introductory course in the subject. All the novelties of nonlinear

dynamics will be introduced.
The emphasis is to provide a basic training to students to work out the fixed
points, their stability and bifurcations in dynamical systems, to model real-

world systems like population dynamics, epidemics, chemical reactions,

lasers, neurons, nonlinear oscillators etc. and to characterize their different
possible states including chaos.
Students will also receive training in the computational analysis of time
series data, power spectra, bifurcation diagrams, fractals and so on.
There will be a few sessions on recent trends viz. collective behavior on
complex networks, synchronization, control of chaos etc.
8

Course contents

Nonlinear Dynamical systems-Introduction; classification, chaos,

continuous and discrete dynamical systems- 1 lecture
Discrete dynamical systems, 1-d systems: logistic map, bifurcations, period
doubling, chaos, Lyapunov exponent, circle map; 2-d systems: Henon map,
quasiperiodicity, Arnold tongue- 5 lectures
Continuous dynamical systems : classification of fixed points, stability
analysis, limit cycles, bifurcations, predator-prey systems, Lorenz system,
Rossler system, pendulum-5 lectures
Measures of chaos- Poincare map- Basin boundary- FFT- Lyapunov
exponents- Fractals- Dimensions- Multi fractals- f- alpha spectrum- 4
lectures
Chaos in Hamiltonian systems- 2 lectures
Nonlinear Time series analysis- 2 lectures
Special topics- stochastic resonance, secure communication, control of
chaos etc.- 2 lectures
Coupled systems- Spatio-temporal
synchronization - 4 lectures

chaos,

coupled

map

lattice,

Complex networks- random, small world and scale free networks, degree
distribution, path length, clustering coefficient, dynamics on networks-4
lectures
9

Evaluation /assessment

a. End-sem examination- 30%

b. Mid-sem examination-30 %
c. Project work/seminar/ Assignments - 20%
d. quiz- 20 %
PhD students registering for the course will have one extra project

10

Suggested readings

1. Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos, Steven Strogatz, Pegasus Books.

2. Chaos and Nonlinear Dynamics, Hilborn, Oxford University Press
(2009).
3. Nonlinear Dynamics, Lakshmanan and Rajasekar, Springer(2003).
4. Networks, an introduction- M Newman, Oxford University
Press(2010)

Course code

PHY 361

Course Title

Quantum Information

Credits

3/4

Course Coordinator

M. S. Santhanam

Nature of Course

Lectures

Pre requisites

Quantum Mechanics I

Objectives (goals, type of

students for whom
useful, outcome etc)

To understand the basic principles, techniques and algorithms of quantum

information and computation.

Course contents
(details of topics
/sections with no. of
lectures for each)

Qubits and their measurements, superdense coding, ensembles, Schmidt

decomposition, Bell inequality. Quantum entanglement and its measures.
Quantum computation, quantum Fourier
factorisation, physical implementations.

transform,

search

and

Quantum information, noise, fidelity measures, error correction, entropy

and information.
9

Evaluation /assessment

a. End-sem examination : 40%

b. Mid-sem examination : 30%
c. Quiz : 30%

10

Suggested readings

Text Book(s)

(with full list of authors,

publisher, year, edn etc.)

1. Quantum computation and Quantum Information, M. A. Nielsen and

I. L. Chuang, (Cambridge Univ Press, 2011)
2. Preskill's lecture notes on quantum computation :
www.caltech.edu/people/preskill/ph229

Course code

PHY 420

Course Title

Atomic and Molecular Physics

Credits

Course Coordinator &

participating faculty(if
any)

Dr. Mukul Kumar (IISER Bhopal)

Local Co-or Dr T.S. Mahesh

Nature of Course

L- lectures alone

(Please mark or tick the

appropriate one)
6

Pre requisites

Quantum Mechanics II

Objectives (goals, type

of students for whom
useful, outcome etc)

As the name of the course suggests the course aims to learn physics of
the atoms and molecules. The course content is designed in such a
way that it will have applications in all frontier research areas in
Physics.

Course contents

Brief review of Hydrogen atom and periodic table; Significance of four

quantum numbers; Concepts of atomic orbital
One Valance Electron Atom: Review of [Orbital magnetic dipole
moment; Orbital, spin and total angular momenta; Spin-orbit
interaction and fine structures]; Intensity of spectral lines; General
selection rules; Details of Stark, Zeeman (Normal and anomalous) and
Paschenbeck effects
Many Valance Electrons Atom: Two Valance Electrons Atom: Para
and ortho states and the role of Paulis Exclusion principle, He atom,
Identical particles, Slater determinant; LS and JJ coupling scheme
Approximation Methods: The Hatree-Fock method; The Thomas-Fermi
model of the atom
Width and shape of spectral lines; Hyperfine structure of lines; Lamb
shift; Principal of ESR with experimental setup; chemical shift
Molecules: Concept of valance and bonding; Born-Oppenheimer
approximation; Hydrogen molecule Heitler-London method
Molecular orbital and electronic configuration of diatomic molecules
(H 2 , C 2 , O 2 , NO, and CN); Vibrational structure and vibrational
analysis; Frank-Condon principle; Dissociation energy; Rotational
spectra; Raman spectra and influence of nuclear spin
End-sem examination-

(details of topics
/sections with no. of
lectures for each)

Evaluation
/assessment
(evaluation
components with
weightage, Pl keep
equal weightage for
end sem and mid sem
exams)

10

Mid-sem examinationQuizProject work/term paperAssignments-

Suggested readings

Text Book(s)

(with full list of

authors, publisher,
year, edn etc.)

P. W. Atkins and R. S. Friedman, Molecular Quantum

Mechanics 3rd Ed.
W. Demtroder, Atoms, Molecules and Photons.
G. W. Woodgate, Elementary Atomic Structure.
H. S. Friedrich, Theoretical Atomic Physics.
R. Eisberg and R. Resnick, Quantum Physics of Atoms,

Molecules, Solids, Nuclei, and Particles.

H. E. White, Introduction to Atomic Spectra.
B. H. Bransden and C. J. Joachain, Physics of Atoms and
Molecules.
H. G. Kuhn, Atomic Spectra.
F. A. Cotton, Chemical Applications of Group Theory.
C. N. Banwell, Fundamentals of Molecular Spectroscopy.
G. M. Barrow,Introduction to Molecular Spectroscopy.

Course code

PH 421

Course Title

Classical and Quantum Optics

Credits

Course Coordinator

T. S. Mahesh

Nature of the course

L&T- Lectures & Tutorials

Pre requisites

Electrodynamics
Quantum Mechanics - I

Objectives (goals, type of

students for whom
useful, outcome etc)

Introduction to modern concepts in Classical Optics and Quantum Optics. As

far as possible, theoretical concepts will be discussed along with
experimental details.

Course contents

1. Light as waves and particles

2. Diffraction, Interference, Coherence.
3. Nonlinear Optics
4. Optical Instruments: waveguides, microscopes, etc.
5. Image formation
6. Quantization of Electromagnetic Field
7. Photon Statistics
8. Photon Antibunching
9. Coherent States and Number States
10. Light-Atom Interactions
11. Quantum Optical Devices

Evaluation /assessment

End-sem exam- 30 %
Mid-sem exam - 30 %
Quizes 20 %
Assignments - 20.%

10

Suggested readings

Text books:
1. Optical physics by Lipson, Lipson, and Lipson; Cambridge University
Press; 4 edition (2010)
2. Optics by Eugene Hecht; Addison-Wesley; 4 edition (2001)
3. Quantum Optics: An Introduction by Mark Fox, Oxford University Press,
2006.
4. Quantum Optics by Girish S. Agarwal, Cambridge University Press, 2013

Course code

PHY422

Course Title

Nuclear and Particle Physics

Credits

Course Coordinator

Sourabh Dube

Nature of Course

L&T- Lectures & Tutorials

Pre requisites

Quantum Mechanics II (PHY322)

Objectives (goals, type of

students for whom
useful, outcome etc)

This will be an introductory course on particle and nuclear physics, it will be

useful for 4th year BS-MS, and IPhD students. The course will include
historical developments and current state of the field, and will focus on basic
concepts as applied to the real world. A discussion of modern day
experimental techniques will also be included.

Course contents

Historical development, Relativistic kinematics, Basic interactions of

fundamental particles, quark model, symmetries (C,P,T, CPT), the neutral
kaon system, shell and collective model of nuclei, nuclear fission and fusion,
modern experimental techniques

Evaluation /assessment

a. End-sem examination- 35%

b. Mid-sem examination- 35%
c. Quiz- 15%
d. Term paper- 15%
(PhD students registering for the course will be expected to complete a more
extensive term paper)

10

Suggested readings

Recommended Book(s)
1. Introduction to Elementary Particles, Griffiths (Wiley)
2. Introduction to High Energy Physics, Perkins (Cambridge)

3. Subatomic physics, Henley and Garcia (World Scientific)

Other material will be discussed in class.

Course code

PHY430

Course Title

Physics Lab VII

Credits

Course Coordinator &

participating faculty

Umakant D. Rapol* and C. V. Dharmadhikari

Nature of Course

Laboratory sessions alone

Pre requisites

Basic knowledge in atomic physics, solid state physics and statistical

mechanics

Objectives

Introduction to advanced experiments in atomic physics, solid state physics,

interaction of radiation with matter.

Course contents
(details of topics
/sections with no. of
lectures for each)

Evaluation /assessment

1. Zeeman Effect
2. Field Emission Microscopy
3. -Ray Spectroscopy
4. Scanning Tunneling Microscopy
5. Compton Scattering
6. X-ray Diffraction
7. Rutherford Scattering
8. Thermoluminescence
9. Scanning Tuneeling Microscopy
10. -Ray Spectroscopy
11. Electron Diffraction
1. End-sem examination 30 %
2. Mid-sem examination- 30 %
3. Skill evaluation 10 % (awarded at the time of experiments bieng
performed by the students)
4. Lab records 30 %

10

Suggested readings

Text Book(s)
1. Analytical Experimental Physics, Michael Ference Jr., Harvey B.
Lemon and Reginald J. Stephenson, University of Chicago Press, 1970
2. 3. The art of experimental Physics, Daryl W. Preston and Eric R.
Dietz, John Wiley 1991

Course code

PHY 461

Course Title

Quantum Field Theory - I

Credits

Course Coordinator

Nabamita Banerjee

Nature of Course

L&T- Lectures & Tutorials

Pre requisites

Classical Mechanics, Quantum Mechanics

Classical Theory of Fields (suggested)

Objectives (goals, type of

students for whom
useful, outcome etc)

Goal:To make students familiar with canonical Quantization formalism for

scalars, fermions and gauge fields. We aim to discuss up to Quantum
Electrodynamics.
Useful: For students in theoretical physics and students in experimental high
energy physics.

Course contents

1.

Introduction (2)

2.

Classical theory of Fields, Symmetries (4)

3.

Scalar Field Theory (12)

4.

Dirac Field (3)

5.

Electromagnetic Fields (3)

6.

Quantum Electrodynamics (2)

Total: 26 lectures and 4 tutorials

9

Evaluation /assessment

a. End-sem examination- 40%

b. Mid-sem examination- 40%
c. Assignments-20%

10

Suggested readings

Text Book(s)

(with full list of authors,

publisher, year, edn etc.)

1.An introduction to Quantum Field Theory----- M. Peskin & D.

Schroeder
2. Quantum Field Theory ----- L Ryder
3. Quantum Field Theory in a Nutshell ---- A. W. Zee

1.

Course code

PHY463

Course Title

Advanced Condensed Matter Physics

Credits

Course Coordinator

Mukul Kabir

Nature of Course

L- lectures alone
PhD Students: There will be extra term-paper /project/presentation/selfreading on various advanced topics
BS-MS and iPhD students: No such term-paper/project/presentation/selfreading. Encouraged to attend such extra sessions.

Pre requisites

Condensed Matter Physics I (BS-MS students), Quantum Mechanics

Objectives

This course will cover topics on interacting many-body phenomena, which

will be a good foundation for those who are interested in theoretical,
experimental, and computational research in condensed matter. Lecture
notes will be provided for most of the topics.

Course contents

Section #1: Interacting electrons 6

Topics: Many-body problem, Hartree-Fock approximation in second
quantization, Brief overview on Density Functional Theory, and beyond.
Section #2: Linear response theory - 5
Topics: Fluctuation-dissipation theorem, Scattering, F-sum rule
Section #3: Physics of disorder: - 5
Topics: Kubo formula for conductivity, Scaling theory of localization,
Quantum hall effect
Section #4: Magnetism: - 12
Topics: Local moment magnetism, exchange interaction, Band magnetismStoner theory, spin density wave, Anderson model, Kondo problem
Section #5: Fermi liquid theory 4
Topics: Electron spectral function, Quasi-particles and Landau interaction
parameter, Fermi liquid in Kondo problem
Section #6: Superconductivity - 4
Topics: Landau diamagnetism, London equation and effect of disorder,
Ginzburg-Landau theory, vortices, Type II superconductor

Evaluation /assessment

PhD students (PHY658):

1. Quiz + Assignment + Term Paper/Project: 40%
2. Mid-sem Exam: 30%
3. End-Sem Exam: 30%
BS-MS and iPhD students (PHY463):

1. Quiz + Assignment: 40%

2. Mid-sem Exam: 30%
3. End-Sem Exam: 30%
10

Suggested readings

1. Advanced Solid State Physics Phillip Phillips

2. Solid State Physics, by N W Ashcroft and N D Mermin, Harcourt College
Publishers. (College Ed.)
3. Theory of Quantum liquid, Pines and Nozieres, Westview Press
4. Theory of Superconductivity. J. Robert Schrieffer, Westview Press

Course code

PHY 464

Course Title

Astrophysical Processes

Credits

Course Coordinator

Prasad Subramanian

Pre requisites (also

mention if this is prerequisite for a later
course)

Classical Mechanics, Mathematical Methods, Electrodynamics. Desirable a

first course in Astrophysics, Fluid Dynamics, Plasma Physics (in order of
importance)

Objectives (goals, type of

students for whom
useful, outcome etc)

This is envisaged to be an advanced undergraduate course on physical

processes underlying a range of astrophysical situations. It will be useful to
students aspiring to take up Astronomy and Astrophysics, Space Physics and
related areas. IISER Pune has a sizeable number of students keenly
interested in Astronomy and Astrophysics, and the need for a second course,
over and above the first course in Astrophysics (that is currently being
offered every other year) is very evident. Together with Fluid Dynamics and
Plasma Physics, this course will help fill an important gap in our course
offerings.

Course contents

Basics of stellar astrophysics as a template for physical processes operative

in astrophysics.
Elements of radiative processes and radiative transfer with examples
spanning galaxy clusters to the solar corona.
Elements of gas dynamics in astrophysical situations with a wide range of
examples.
Particle acceleration in astrophysics and its ubiquity from supernova
shocks to the solar corona.
Elements of cosmic ray physics both as a template for acceleration

processes and as an indirect aid for understanding other phenomena.

8

Evaluation /assessment

Two quizzes: 15 % each

Midterm: 30%,
Final 40%

Suggested readings

Astrophysics for Physicists; Arnab Rai Choudhuri (Cambridge)

Theoretical Astrophysics (volumes I-III); T. Padmanabhan (Cambridge)
The Physics of Astrophysics; Frank Shu (University Science Books)