Modules from the fourth year
Core/Optional modules
Astrophysical Plasmas
Lecturer(s): Dr N C Woolsey
No. of lectures: 18
Credit value: 10
Plasma is made up of electrons and ions, and these respond to magnetic and electric fields that fill much of the space between the interior of the Sun to the upper layers of the Earth's atmosphere and beyond. This module will start with a description of astrophysical plasmas and an introduction to basic plasma physics and gas dynamics used to describe them.
This introduction is followed by a discussion of the dynamics of the interstellar medium, the processes that heat and cool interstellar medium, and the effects of stellar winds, shocks and jets. These processes are presented in terms of magnetohydrodynamic plasma. This leads to the discussion of magnetic fields, the acceleration of cosmic rays and an energy budget of the interstellar medium.
Finally, we discuss the use of laboratory plasma in the study of fundamental plasma processes that occur in astrophysical plasmas. The approach is to identify and use dimensionless scaling of plasma models to illustrate how the enormous astrophysical scales are reduced to those of a typical experiment.
Electromagnetic Theory
Lecturer(s): Dr R G Keesing
No. of lectures: 18
Credit value: 10
Maxwell's equations describe the whole plethora of phenomena encountered in electro-magnetism. By their nature they are Lorentz invariant and thus can be cast in tensor form and transformed into all space-time frames of reference. This requires their being put into the form of the EM field tensor and in this form a large range of problems can then be solved.
However this procedure is really only useful for phenomena involving non-accelerating charges. Thus in order to handle problems in which charges are in an arbitrary state of motion it is necessary to derive the Lienard-Wiechert potentials. These are then used to describe the electromagnetic fields of accelerating charges which leads to the analysis of the properties of synchrotron radiation, and the way in which energy is absorbed from an external field, amongst other things.
Electron Microscopy
Lecturer(s): Prof E D Boyes, Prof P L Gai
No. of lectures: 18
Credit value: 10
The properties of nanomaterials and microfabrications depend on the structure-chemistry-property relationships which can be studied directly with electron microscopy (EM). The module introduces the general concepts and physics background of EM, develops system components and surveys selected applications in the physical sciences.
It is intended as a stand alone course and as an introduction to the use of the main types of instruments. A number of application demonstrations and practical classes are included in the course work. The goal is to provide a background to understand and practice basic electron microscopy methods, to provide some appreciation of the application potential and to give hands-on driving experience with the main classes of instruments (SEM, TEM).
High Performance Computing
Lecturer(s): Dr M I J Probert
No. of lectures: 18
Credit value: 10
The aim of this lecture module is to show how the historical developments in high performance computing have come about, how these impact on current technologies, how to best utilise these technologies for numerically intensive calculations, and what future developments are likely. The lectures will be supplemented by practical workshops where some of the key principles will be put into practice.
Magnetism and Magnetic Materials
Lecturer(s): Prof K O'Grady
No. of lectures: 18
Credit value: 10
The aims of this module are (a) to develop an understanding of the basic properties of magnetic materials and to extend that knowledge to the behaviour of magnetic materials on reduced length scale, ie nanomagnetism. (b) To understand domain processes and reversal processes for bulk materials, eg permanent magnets and soft materials, 2-dimensional materials, eg thin films, and small entities, ie nanoparticles. And (c) to understand the requirements for applications of such materials in information storage, magnetoelectronic devices, sensors, etc.
Molecular Biophysics
Lecturer(s): Dr R J Greenall
No. of lectures: 18
Credit value: 10
Physics has become very important in biological research over the last few decades. As many biologists and biochemists have focussed on biological systems at the molecular level, they have increasingly needed to use the concepts, models, analytical tools and experimental techniques of the physical sciences. This applies also to the emerging topics of bionanotechnology and soft materials.
For example, many processes in biological cells are studied via thermodynamics and statistical mechanics and the operation of muscle has been studied using optical tweezers. In this module we will review some of these ideas from physics before applying them to specific biological systems. We will meet a mix of experimental and theoretical approaches.
Nanophysics
Lecturer(s): Prof J Yuan
No. of lectures: 18
Credit value: 10
This module aims to introduce the fundamental physics important at nanoscale, such as tunnelling, surface proximity effect, quantum size effect, and Coulomb blockade effect; as well as important nanomaterials and nanosystems of current interests such as atomic clusters, quantum dots, nanowires, quantum wells as well as single electron devices.
The course will also give an overview of the nanotechnology of fabrication and characterization. Also, it will give you a flavour of the state-of-the-art developments as well as challenges in fundamental science and applications of nanophysics, a rapid developing area of science in the new century.
Nuclear Astrophysics
Lecturer(s): Dr A M Laird
No. of lectures: 18
Credit value: 10
In this module we will consider the synthesis of nuclei in astrophysical environments with the aim of developing an understanding of how the elements which we and our surroundings are made of were created. We will discuss nucleosynthesis in various astrophysical environments, starting with the Big Bang and ranging from steady state solar interiors to the more energetic conditions found in novae, supernovae and X-ray bursts.
Nuclear Physics II
Lecturer(s): Dr M A Bentley
No. of lectures: 18
Credit value: 10
This module is a continuation of the Nuclear Physics modules given in years 2 and 3 and they are a prerequisite for the fourth year module. The module is aimed at providing a more detailed understanding of the nucleus and of its decay processes. Gamma, Beta and Alpha decay will be studied.
Current research going on at York will be considered and linked to topics studied.
Phase Transitions and Critical Phenomena
Lecturer(s): Prof R W Chantrell
No. of lectures: 18
Credit value: 10
The melting of a metal, the existence of super-conductivity at very low temperatures, and the occurrence of magnetic order are all examples of phase transitions where the symmetry of a system is broken abruptly, e.g., during a cooling procedure. The understanding of phase transitions is essential for the understanding how order occurs spontaneously in nature. In this course we will explore basic properties of phase transitions, using theoretical models as well as computational methods.
Physical Optics II
Lecturer(s): Prof G J Pert
No. of lectures: 18
Credit value: 10
The development of routinely available coherent light from lasers has transformed the scope of optics. The essentially linear nature of propagation in optical media as a consequence of its electro-magnetic structure ensures that general solutions of the Helmholtz equation can be developed in terms of Fourier transforms. This structure is enhanced by two powerful mathematical theorems governing convolution and correlation. This approach allows a quantitative understanding of coherence and the design of optical instruments.
A range of important applications using modern optical methods will be discussed. These include optical instruments, in particular the microscope; laser cavities, and mode structure; holograms of all types and optical fibres, the core of modern communications.
Plasma Physics for Fusion
Lecturer(s): Prof H R Wilson
No. of lectures: 18
Credit value: 10
Fusion, whether by inertial confinement or magnetic confinement, requires deuterium and tritium to be heated to such high temperatures that the electrons are stripped from the ions. The resulting conducting gas is called a plasma. Plasmas are common place around the universe so the topic of plasma physics is important in many branches of science including astrophysics and solar physics, as well as having industrial applications.
This course aims to introduce the basic plasma physics principles through a combination of physical pictures and mathematical anaylses, often using examples from fusion to provide specific applications.
Quantum Mechanics III
Lecturer(s): Prof M Babiker
No. of lectures: 18
Credit value: 10
To introduce the concepts of ladder operators and indicate their uses, outline and contrast various methods for solving the ground state energy of the He atom and other multi-electron atoms, and to study the quantum physics associated with the H2 + ion and H2 molecule.
The module will also introduce you to methods for solving various types of scattering problem in quantum mechanics and give some applications.
Quantum Mechanics IV
Lecturer(s): Prof R W Godby
No. of lectures: 18
Credit value: 10
The aim of this module is to study the consequences of the time-dependence of the wavefunction in quantum mechanics (including the derivation of Newton's laws of classical mechanics from the appropriate limit of quantum mechanics) and the "second quantisation"approach as well as its use in the quantisation of fields (such as electromagnetic waves) in quantum field theory.
Radiation and Matter
Lecturer(s): Prof G J Tallents
No. of lectures: 18
Credit value: 10
An understanding of the basic features of lasers is first given leading to a more general discussion on the interaction of light with atoms. The properties of laser cavities are first investigated, leading to an understanding of the stable operating range for cavities and the associated mode structures.
The quantum mechanics of the atom-radiation interaction are considered in the semi-classsical limit (treating the radiation field classically) to determine transition probabilities. Some of the spectroscopic background for the understanding of plasma emission processes important in astrophysical and laboratory plasmas is presented.
Satellite Remote Sensing
Lecturer(s): Prof P F Bernath (Department of Chemistry)
No. of lectures: 18
Credit value: 10
A global view of the Earth's atmosphere can only be obtained from satellite platforms. In recent years satellite remote sensing has given us global distributions of trace gases as well atmospheric temperature, pressure, humidity and clouds. Satellite observations are now indispensable tools to monitor atmospheric chemical processes and to predict the weather. Satellite instruments are used both for scientific research and for "operational" purposes such as monitoring extreme events (e.g., hurricanes) or numerical weather forecasting.
In the near future, satellite instruments will be key components for the prediction of "chemical weather" (i.e., the prediction of air quality). The lectures will give a basic introduction to the subject starting from the physical principles of radiative transfer and concluding with a short survey of atmospheric satellites.
Other modules
MPhys Project and Research Skills
Co-ordinator(s): Prof R Wadsworth
Credit value: 60
The MPhys project is an open-ended investigation which you conduct on your own. Each project has a specific staff supervisor who will give advice and assistance as needed at regular supervisory meetings. Project work builds on the expertise that you have already acquired in the last three years. The aim is to develop your ability to design, carry out and report on an extended investigation. The project will provide an opportunity for creativity and original thought on your part.
The fourth year Research Skills course centres on the MPhys project. In seminar groups, students give a talk on a published paper related to their project, and a presentation on the progress of their project. The year concludes with the Project Conference, wherein students present a talk and poster about their project to staff and students.