Physics William F. Oliver, III
Department Chair
226 Physics Building
479-575-2506
E-mail: physics@cavern.uark.edu
Rajendra Gupta
Chair, Graduate Affairs Committee
226 Physics Building
479-575-2506
Web: http://www.uark.edu/depts/physics/
• University Professor Salamo
• Professors Gea-Banacloche, Gupta, Harter, Lacy, Lieber,
Pederson, Singh, Vyas, Xiao
• Adjunct Professor Naseem
• Research Professor Vickers
• Associate Professors Bellaiche, Oliver, Stewart, Thibado
• Assistant Professors Li, Fu
• Adjunct Assistant Professors Schultz, Stewart
Degrees Conferred:
M.S. in Applied Physics (APHY)
M.A., M.S., Ph.D. (PHYS)
Areas of Concentration: Atomic and molecular, condensed matter, laser, quantum optical physics, surface physics, theoretical physics, and physics education.
Primary Areas of Faculty Research: Atomic and molecular; condensed matter; laser; quantum optical physics; surface physics; theoretical physics; and physics education.
Prerequisites to Degree Program: Prospective students must satisfy the requirements of the Graduate School as described in this catalog and have the approval of the Graduate Admissions Committee of the Department of Physics. In addition, to be admitted to graduate study in physics without deficiency, candidates should have an undergraduate degree with the equivalent of a 30-hour major in physics including intermediate-level courses in mechanics, electricity and magnetism, quantum physics and thermal physics, and mathematics through differential equations. Students who present less than the above may be admitted with deficiency dependent on degree track subject to the approval of the department’s Graduate Admissions Committee. Students may eliminate deficiencies while concurrently enrolling in graduate courses, provided prerequisites are met. While submission of Graduate Record Examination scores is not required for admission, students who have taken the GRE advanced physics test are urged to submit their test scores to the physics department to facilitate advising and placement.
Prospective students from foreign countries in which English is not the native language must submit TOEFL scores of 550 or above. To be considered for a teaching assistantship, a Test of Spoken English score of 50 or above is required.
Requirements for the Master of Arts Degree: The department offers a Masters of Arts Degree – Education concentration. This program is designed for in-service secondary school teachers or students interested in teaching physical sciences in Community Colleges. Students choosing this degree program must notify the Graduate Affairs Committee by April 30 in their first year of study. An advisory committee is then formed consisting of the research adviser as chair and two other members of the graduate faculty, at least one of whom must be from the physics department.
The M.A. degree requires 30 semester hours of graduate work. Prospective candidates for the Master of Arts degree – Education concentration are expected to have earned credit in courses equivalent to PHYS 2054, PHYS 2074, PHYS 3614, and PHYS 3113. Deficiencies may be removed either by taking the appropriate courses or by examination.
The candidate’s program must include at least six semester hours of physics courses numbered 5000 or above, and at least three hours of 502V. Not more than nine semester hours of credit toward this degree will be allowed from physical science and graduate education courses. All courses selected to apply to this degree must be approved by the student’s adviser in accordance with the above requirements. Recommended courses include PHYS 400V, PHYS 4113, PHYS 4213, PHYS 4621L, PHYS 588V, and PHYS 590V.
During year one of their graduate studies at the University of Arkansas, students will take PHYS 5811 Research and Operations Management Seminar in both fall and spring semesters and will take MEPH 5821 Ethics for Scientists and Engineers in their first summer. During year two, students will take PHYS 6811 Research and Operations Management Seminar in both fall and spring semesters and will take MEPH 5831 Proposal Writing and Management in their second summer. In addition, all students participate in two days of industrial style inventiveness and teaming training during the week directly preceding the start of fall classes. PHYS 5811, PHYS 6811, MEPH 5821, and MEPH 5831 cannot be counted as electives to meet the requirements for graduation.
Each person receiving the Master of Arts degree – Education concentration must have at least one hour of Master’s Research, satisfied by a written research report based either on the 502V or a 588V project. A final comprehensive oral exam is given by the advisory committee.
Requirements for the Master of Science Degree: Students may choose between four Master of Science degrees in the physics department. These are the M.S. Physics (31-hour thesis path); M.S. Physics (37-hour non-thesis path); M.S. Applied Physics (31-hour thesis path); and M.S. Applied Physics (37-hour non-thesis path). All four M.S. degree curricula prepare a student for the Physics Ph.D. degree.
Students wishing to enter an M.S. degree program must notify the Graduate Affairs Committee by November 30 of their first year of study. An advisory committee is then formed consisting of the research adviser as chair, two members of the physics faculty, and one member of the graduate faculty not from the physics department.
Students in this degree program can choose either a 31 semester hour thesis path or a 37 semester hour non-thesis path.
All four M.S. degrees share the following academic requirements:
1. Completion of PHYS 501V Seminar - Introduction to Research; PHYS 5073 Mathematical Methods of Physics I; PHYS 5413 Quantum Mechanics I; and PHYS 5333 Advanced Electromagnetic Theory.
2. Completion of one of the three courses in the Techniques in Research block (PHYS 5123 Condensed Matter Physics; PHYS 5133 Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics; or PHYS 502V Individual Study in Advanced Physics).
3. Completion of at least one of the following three courses (PHYS 5754 Applied Nonlinear Optics; PHYS 5713 Solid State Physics, or PHYS 5513 Atomic and Molecular Physics).
Students who have had similar courses at another institution may substitute up to 12 credit hours of other courses in lieu of those listed above, on a course-by-course basis, upon petitioning the Graduate Affairs Committee.
Elective courses will be used for the remaining required degree hours, and may include additional courses from item 3. The minimum number of physics elective hours, the maximum number of non-physics technical elective hours, and the minimum number of total elective hours are shown in the table.
Physics Technical Total
Electives Electives Electives
M.S. Physics thesis 9 0 9
M.S. Physics non-thesis 18 0 18
M.S. Applied Physics thesis 3 6 9
M.S. Applied Physics non-thesis 9 9 18
During year one of their graduate studies at the University of Arkansas, students will take PHYS 5811 Research and Operations Management Seminar in both fall and spring semesters and will take MEPH 5821 Ethics for Scientists and Engineers in their first summer. During year two, students will take PHYS 6811 Research and Operations Management Seminar in both fall and spring semesters and will take MEPH 5831 Proposal Writing and Management in their second summer. In addition, all students participate in two days of industrial style inventiveness and teaming training during the week directly preceding the start of fall classes. PHYS 5811, PHYS 6811, MEPH 5821, and MEPH 5831 cannot be counted as electives to meet the requirements for graduation.
Students will select electives from courses listed in the graduate catalog as appropriate to their field of specialization, with course selection approved by their advisory committee. For the purposes of this degree requirement, any Astronomy (ASTR) graduate course listed in the Graduate Catalog and taught through the physics department will be considered a physics elective.
Requirements for Thesis-Path M.S. Degrees: Completion of six master’s thesis hours under PHYS 600V and a written thesis successfully defended in a comprehensive oral exam given by the student’s advisory committee.
Requirements for Non-thesis Path M.S. Degrees: Completion of three hours under PHYS 502V Individual Study in Advanced Physics and a written project report successfully defended in a comprehensive oral exam given by the student’s advisory committee. Students who pass the Physics Ph.D. candidacy examination will be considered to have satisfied the PHYS 502V requirement of the non-thesis path M.S. degrees.
Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree: Students choosing this degree program must notify the Graduate Affairs Committee by November 30 of their first year of physics graduate study at the University of Arkansas. An advisory committee will be formed containing the research adviser as chair, three members of the physics faculty, and one member of the graduate faculty not from the physics department.
To be admitted to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree the student must a) pass the candidacy exam, b) form a dissertation committee, c) be approved by the physics faculty, and d) file a Declaration of Intent with the Graduate School.
The candidacy examination consists of written and oral parts. The written part is taken at the end of the spring semester of the student’s first year as a physics graduate student at the University of Arkansas; the oral part is taken in the fall of the student’s second year.
The written exam covers quantum mechanics, advanced electromagnetic theory, and junior-level classical mechanics. The minimum passing score is 60 percent, but students failing this part will be allowed to take the exam the following year for a final time.
The oral exam is a presentation of the student’s research and should include a discussion of future research plans. Students judged insufficient in this category may come back for a second and final attempt by the fall of the following year. The oral exam committee consists of three faculty members in the appropriate research field (inasmuch as this is feasible) and the student’s research adviser, although the latter acts only in an advisory capacity to the committee.
Ph.D. students must complete a minimum of 40 semester-hours in graduate courses beyond their Bachelor of Science degrees. Courses taken to fulfill the requirements for one of the four University of Arkansas M.S. physics degrees can be included in this 40 semester-hour requirement. Students who have had similar courses as part of an M.S. physics program at another institution may obtain a waiver for up to 21 credit hours, on a course-by-course basis, upon petitioning to the Graduate Affairs Committee.
Ph.D. students must take PHYS 501V Seminar – Introduction to Research, PHYS 5073 Mathematical Methods of Physics I, PHYS 5413/5423 Quantum Mechanics I and II, PHYS 5333 Advanced Electromagnetic Theory, PHYS 5713 Solid State Physics, PHYS 5513 Atomic and Molecular Physics, PHYS 5103 Advanced Mechanics, and PHYS 5213 Statistical Mechanics.
Ph.D. students must also take one of the two-semester course sequences in the Research Techniques block (PHYS 5123/6123 Condensed Matter Physics I and II; PHYS 5133/6133 Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics I and II; or PHYS 502V Individual Study in Advanced Physics).
Nine additional hours in elective physics graduate courses will be required, and they must be selected from courses listed in the graduate catalog appropriate to the student’s field of specialization and approved by the student’s advisory committee. For the purposes of this degree requirement, any Astronomy (ASTR) graduate course listed in the Graduate Catalog and taught through the physics department will be considered a physics elective. Additional elective courses outside of the physics department may be taken with dissertation committee approval.
During year one of their graduate studies at the University of Arkansas, students will take PHYS 5811 Research and Operations Management Seminar in both fall and spring semesters and will take MEPH 5821 Ethics for Scientists and Engineers in their first summer. During year two, students will take PHYS 6811 Research and Operations Management Seminar in both fall and spring semesters and will take MEPH 5831 Proposal Writing and Management in their second summer. In addition, all students participate in two days of industrial style inventiveness and teaming training during the week directly preceding the start of fall classes. PHYS 5811, PHYS 6811, MEPH 5821, and MEPH 5831 cannot be counted as electives to meet the requirements for graduation.
Ph.D. students must also earn 18 hours of credit in Doctoral Dissertation, submit a dissertation, and defend it successfully in a comprehensive oral examination given by the advisory committee.
ASTR4013 Astrophysics (FA, Odd years) Introduction to astrophysics for seniors and graduate students. The course covers stellar evolution, interstellar medium, galactic nucleogenesis and observational cosmology. Prerequisite: PHYS 3614, CHEM 3504, or graduate standing.
ASTR5033 Planetary Systems (FA) The nature of the solar system and other planetary systems as deduced from observations and theoretical modeling. Structure and evolution of terrestrial and jovian planets and their satellites. Planetary atmospheres, magnetospheres, and the solar wind; planetary interiors. Theoretical and observed properties of exoplanetary systems; astrobiology.
PHYS400V Laboratory and Classroom Practices in Physics (1-3) (FA, SP, SU) The pedagogy of curricular materials. Laboratory and demonstration techniques illustrating fundamental concepts acquired through participation in the classroom as an apprentice teacher. Prerequisite: PHYS 3113 or PHYS 3414.
PHYS4073 Introduction to Quantum Mechanics (FA) A survey of quantum mechanics from the wave mechanical point of view. Required course for B.S. Physics majors. Prerequisite: PHYS 3614 and MATH 3404.
PHYS4103 Physics in Perspective (SP, Odd years) Human implications of physics, including life’s place in the universe, the methods of science, human sense perceptions, energy utilization, social impacts of technology, and the effect of physics on modern world views. No credit given toward a B.S. major in physics. Prerequisite: PHYS 3603 or PHYS 3614.
PHYS4113 Physics in Perspective (SP, Odd years) Human implications of physics, including life’s place in the universe, the methods of science, human sense perceptions, energy utilization, social impacts of technology, and the effect of physics on modern world views. Credit allowed for only one of PHYS 4113 or PHYS 4103. Prerequisite: PHYS 3614.
PHYS4203 Physics of Devices (SP, Even years) Principles of physics applied in a selection of technologically important devices in areas including computing, communications, medical imaging, lasers, and energy utilization. Students will utilize technical journals. No credit given toward a B.S. major in physics. Prerequisite: PHYS 3603 or PHYS 3614.
PHYS4213 Physics of Devices (SP, Even years) Principles of physics applied in a selection of technologically important devices in areas including computing, communications, medical imaging, lasers, and energy utilization. Students will utilize technical journals. Credit allowed for only one of PHYS 4203 or PHYS 4213. Prerequisite: PHYS 3614.
PHYS4333 Thermal Physics (SP, Even years) Equilibrium thermodynamics, statistical physics, and kinetic energy. Prerequisite: PHYS 3614.
PHYS4621L Modern Physics Laboratory (FA) Advanced experiments, projects, and techniques in atomic, nuclear, and solid state physics.
PHYS4653 Subatomic Physics (IR) Nuclear structure and nuclear reactions. Nature and properties of elementary particles and resonances, their interactions and decays. Phenomenological theory and discussion of experimental evidence. Prerequisite: PHYS 3614.
PHYS4713 Solid State Physics (SP) Crystal structure, diffraction and symmetry. Lattice vibrations, elasticity and optical properties. Electronic structure, band theory, transport and magnetism. Course emphasizes applications and current topics in semiconductors, optics and magnetism. Pre- or Corequisite: PHYS 3414 and PHYS 4073.
PHYS4803 Mathematical Physics (IR) Development of mathematics used in advanced physics, including tensors, matrices, group theory, special functions and operators. Prerequisite: MATH 3404.
PHYS501V Seminar (1-3) (FA, SP, SU) Regular informal discussions of research reported in journals and monographs.
PHYS502V Individual Study in Advanced Physics (1-3) (FA, SP) Guided study in current literature.
PHYS5073 Mathematical Methods of Physics I (FA) Applications of complex variables, differential equations, special functions, Green’s functions, and matrix analysis to problems in physics. Introduction to numerical and statistical techniques used in physics research. Prerequisite: MATH 3423.
PHYS5083 Mathematical Methods of Physics II (SP) Applications of matrices, tensors, and linear vector spaces to problems in physics. Introduction to groups and their representations, and symmetry principles in modern physics. Prerequisite: PHYS 5073.
PHYS5103 Advanced Mechanics (FA, Even years) Dynamics of particles and rigid bodies. Hamilton’s equations and canonical variables. Canonical transformations. Small oscillations. Prerequisite: PHYS 5073.
PHYS5123 Research Techniques I: Condensed Matter Physics (SP) Experimental and theoretical approaches to research in condensed matter, with introduction to laboratory equipment and techniques used in MS level researh in these areas. Literature survey of current research topics. This course focuses on basic research techniques available in the department (on campus). Prerequisite: graduate standing
PHYS5133 Research Techniques I: Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics (SP) Experimental and theoretical approaches to research in atomic, molecular, and optical physics, with introduction to laboratory equipment and techniques used in MS level research in these areas. Literature surveys of current research topics. This course focuses on basic research techniques available in the department (on campus). Prerequisite: graduate standing.
PHYS5213 Statistical Mechanics (FA, Odd years) Classical and quantum mechanical statistical theories of matter and radiation. Prerequisite: PHYS 4333 and PHYS 4073 or PHYS 5413.
PHYS5333 Advanced Electromagnetic Theory (SP) Electrostatic boundary-value problems, Maxwell’s equations, plane waves, waveguides, cavities, radiating systems, special relativity and relativistic electrodynamics. Prerequisite: PHYS 5073.
PHYS5413 Quantum Mechanics I (FA) Non-relativistic quantum mechanics; the Schrodinger equation; the Heisenberg matrix representation; operator formalism; transformation theory; spinors and Paull theory; the Dirac equation; applications to atoms and molecules, collision theory, semiclassical theory of radiation. Prerequisite: PHYS 5064.
PHYS5423 Quantum Mechanics II (SP) Non-relativistic quantum mechanics; the Schrodinger equation; the Heisenberg matrix representation; operator formalism; transformation theory; spinors and Paull theory; the Dirac equation; applications to atoms and molecules, collision theory, semiclassical theory of radiation. Prerequisite: PHYS 5064 and PHYS 5413.
PHYS5513 Atomic and Molecular Physics (SP, Odd years) Survey of atomic and molecular physics with emphasis on the electronic structure and spectroscopy on 1 and 2 electron atoms, and diatomic molecules. Includes fine and hyperfine structure. Zeeman and Stark mixing of states, collision phenomena, radiative lifetimes, and experimental techniques. Prerequisite: PHYS 4073 or PHYS 5413.
PHYS5523 Theory of Relativity (IR) Conceptual and mathematical structure of the special and general theories of relativity with selected applications. Critical analysis of Newtonian mechanics; relativistic mechanics and electrodynamics; tensor analysis; continuous media; and gravitational theory. Prerequisite: PHYS 5103.
PHYS5713 Solid State Physics (SP, Even years) Crystalline structure, lattice dynamics. Debye theory, electron theory of metals, band theory of solids, superconductivity, and magnetism. Prerequisite: PHYS 4073 or 5413.
PHYS5734 Laser Physics (SP) A combined lecture/laboratory course covering the theory of laser operation, laser resonators, propagation of laser beams, specific lasers such as gas, solid state, semiconductor and chemical lasers, and laser applications. Prerequisite: PHYS 3414 and PHYS 3544.
PHYS574V Internship in College or University Teaching (3-9) (FA, SP, SU) Supervised field experiences in student personnel services, college administration, college physics teaching, institutional research, development, or other areas of college and university work. May be repeated for 3 hours. Pre- or Corequisite: PHYS 400.
PHYS5754 Applied Nonlinear Optics (FA, Odd years) A combined lecture/laboratory course. Topics include: practical optical processes, such as electro-optic effects, acousto-optic effects, narrow-band optical filters, second harmonic generation, parametric amplification and oscillation, and other types of nonlinear optical spectroscopy techniques which are finding current practical applications in industry. Prerequisite: PHYS 3414 and PHYS 3544.
PHYS5774 Introduction to Optical Properties of Materials (SP, Odd years) A combined lecture/laboratory course covering crystal symmetry optical transmission and absorption, light scattering (Raman and Brillouin) optical constants, carrier mobility, and polarization effects in semi-conductors, quantum wells, insulators, and other optically important materials. Prerequisite: PHYS 3414 and PHYS 3544.
PHYS5794 Lightwave Communication (SP, Even years) A laboratory-based course in light propagation in planar and fiber waveguides, optical coupling, operation principles of semiconductor lasers, detectors, and LEDs, hands-on experience with applications in communication systems. Prerequisite: PHYS 3414 or ELEG 3703.
PHYS5811 Research and Operations Management Seminar (FA, SP, SU) Weekly seminar of physics candidates for the Master of Science degree to discuss issues that impact a technical group’s research and operational effectiveness. Topics include ethics, applications of procedures, cultural impact on operations, and team-based methodologies as well as current events in the interaction between technology and human affairs. May be repeated for 6 hours. Prerequisite: physics graduate standing.
PHYS5823 Advanced Device Design (FA) Study of the state-of-the-art physics of materials applied to advanced technology devices. Students will define new devices based on current physics research on campus, and will predict both technological and market success of the devices using technology market space analysis techniques. Prerequisite: physics graduate standing.
PHYS5833 Advanced Device Prototypes (SP) Continuation of PHYS 5823, with reduction to practice of devices defined in PHYS 5823. Student teams will develop deeper understanding of the physics of materials identified, predict the characteristics of devices made from those materials, and fabricate and characterize prototype devices. Prerequisite: PHYS 5823.
PHYS588V Selected Topics in Experimental Physics (1-3) (IR)
PHYS590V Master of Arts Research (1-6) (FA, SP, SU)
PHYS600V Master of Science Thesis (1-6) (FA, SP, SU)
PHYS6123 Research Techniques II: Condensed Matter Physics (FA) Experimental and theoretical approaches to research in condensed matter, with introduction to laboratory equipment and techniques used in PhD level research in these areas. This course concentrates on advanced research techniques, including examination of specific research methods and apparatus at research partner academic and industrial sites. Prerequisite: PHYS 5123.
PHYS6133 Research Techniques II: Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics (FA) Experimental and theoretical approaches to research in atomic, molecular, and optical physics, with introduction to laboratory equipment and techniques used for PhD level research in these areas. This course concentrates on advanced research techniques, including examination of specific research methods and apparatus at research partner academic and industrial sites. Prerequisite: PHYS 5133.
PHYS6413 Quantum Mechanics III (FA, Even years) Relativistic quantum mechanics, second quantization, with applications to quantizing electromagnetic fields and to many-body theory. Introduction to Feynman diagrams. Prerequisite: PHYS 5423.
PHYS6613 Quantum Optics (FA, Odd years) Properties of light and its interaction with atoms, particular attention given to the laser and recent experiments. Classical theory of resonance; Optical Bloch Eqs.; 2 level atoms in steady fields; pulse propagation; semiclassical theory of the laser, coherent states and coherent functions; gas, solid, and dye lasers; photon echoes and superradiance; quantum electrodynamics and spontaneous emission. Prerequisite: PHYS 5413 or equivalent.
PHYS6713 Advanced Solid State Theory (IR) Quantum mechanical approach to the theory of solids, including such topics as group theory, crystalline field theory, electron-photon interactions, band theory of solids, transport phenomena, superconductivity, and magnetic properties of solids. Prerequisite: PHYS 5713 and PHYS 5413.
PHYS6811 Research and Operations Management Seminar (FA, SP, SU) Weekly seminar of physics candidates for the Doctor of Philosophy degree to discuss issues that impact a technical group’s research and operational effectiveness. Topics include ethics, applications of procedures, cultural impact on operations, and team-based methodologies, as well as current events in the interaction between technology and human affairs. May be repeated for 12 hours. Prerequisite: physics graduate standing and PHYS 5811.
PHYS700V Doctoral Dissertation (1-18) (FA, SP, SU) |
