PY4T02

Module PY4T02 Electron and Photon Physics

Cohort: SS Theoretical Physics

Credits: 5

Lecturer: Professors P. Eastham, J.M.D. Coey

Duration: Hilary Term, Quantum Theory of Light and Matter, 12 lectures, Metal Physics and Superconductivity, 12 lectures

Assesment: End of Year Exam.

Description: Part I: Quantum Theory of Light and Matter: This course provides an introduction to the quantum theory of light and its physical consequences. Planck radiation law; Photon shot noise; Hamiltonian for the electromagnetic field; Classical and non-classical states of light; Light-matter coupling; Jaynes-Cummings model and Rabi oscillations.

Part II: Metal Physics and Superconductivity: This course provides a basic account of the phenomena and theory of superconductivity and its applications, including high-Tc oxide superconductors. Resistivity of normal metals: impurity scattering, temperature dependence of resistivity due to electron-phonon scattering. Superconductivity: zero resistance, Meissner effect, thermodynamic treatment of the phase transition. Energy gap from specific heat and tunneling. Type I and II superconductors. Phenomenological Ginzburg-Landau theory. Penetration depth. Cooper pairs. Correlation length. Results of BCS theory Flux quantization, tunneling, ac and dc Josephson effects.