Physics

Head:
Dean Zollman

Director of graduate studies:
Brett Esry (recruit),
Michael J. O'Shea (advise)

Graduate Faculty:

Itzhak Ben-Itzhak, Ph.D., Technion, Israel.

Chander P. Bhalla, (Emeritus) Ph.D., Tennessee.

Timothy A. Bolton, Ph.D., MIT.

Kevin Carnes, Ph.D., Purdue.

Amitabha Chakrabarti, Ph.D., Minnesota.

Zenghu Chang, Ph.D., Chinese Academy of Sciences.

C. Lewis Cocke, Ph.D., Cal. Tech.

Kristan L. Corwin, Ph.D., University of Colorado at Boulder.

Basil Curnutte, (Emeritus) Ph.D., Ohio State.

E. Brock Dale, (Emeritus) Ph.D., Ohio State.

Brett DePaola, Ph.D., Texas at Dallas.

Brett D. Esry, Ph.D., Colorado.

Charles C. Fehrenbach, Ph.D., University of Michigan.

Nathan Folland, (Emeritus) Ph.D., Iowa State.

Thomas J. Gray, (Emeritus) Ph.D., Florida State.

Siegbert J. Hagmann, (Emeritus) Ph.D., Cologne, Germany.

Glenn Horton-Smith, Ph.D., Stanford University.

Hongxing Jiang, Ph.D., Syracuse.

Vinod Kumarappan, Ph.D., Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai, India.

Bruce Law, Ph.D., Victoria, New Zealand.

Ronald Lee, (Adjunct) Ph.D., Iowa State University.

James C. Legg, (Emeritus) Ph.D., Princeton.

Chii-Dong Lin, Ph.D., Chicago.

Jingyu Lin, Ph.D., Syracuse.

Igor V. Litvinyuk, Ph.D., Florida State University.

Stephen Lundeen, Ph.D., Harvard University.

Yurii Maravin, PhD, Southern Methodist University.

Michael J. O'Shea, Ph.D., Sussex, England.

Talat S. Rahman, (Emeritus) Ph.D., Rochester.

Bharat Ratra, Ph.D., Stanford

Neville W. Reay, (Emeritus) Ph.D., Minnesota.

N. Sanjay Rebello, Ph.D., Brown.

Patrick Richard, Ph.D., Florida State.

Ronald A. Sidwell, (Emeritus) Ph.D., Indiana.

Christopher M. Sorensen, Ph.D., Colorado.

John D. Spangler, Adjunct, Ph.D., Duke University

Noel R. Stanton, Ph.D., Cornell.

Uwe Thumm, Dr. rer. nat., Freiburg, Germany.

Eckhard von Toerne, Dr. rer. nat., Bonn University, Germany.

Xiao-Min Tong, Ph.D., Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Science.

Brian Washburn, PhD, Georgia Institute of Technology.

O. Laurence Weaver, Ph.D., Duke.

Gary M. Wysin, Ph.D., Cornell.

Dean A. Zollman, Ph.D., Maryland.

Theodore J. M. Zouros, Adjunct, Ph.D., Yale University.

Program description

The research programs of the Department of Physics are focused in the areas of atomic, molecular and optical physics, condensed matter physics, educational physics, computational physics, cosmology, and high energy physics. We have concentrated our major research commitments in these areas to maintain strength and balance. The Department of Physics offers graduate programs leading to the Ph.D. degree. These are described here with the research interests of the faculty. Our graduate core curriculum is an excellent foundation for work in a large variety of specialties.

Program requirements

For regular admission to the graduate program, a bachelor's degree in physics, a minimum upperclass GPA of 3.0, and the results of the GRE advanced test in physics are required. Candidates with degrees in mathematics, chemistry or engineering will also be considered. Students from non-English speaking countries are required to show proficiency in English via the TOEFL exam. The minimum acceptable score for admission is 550 (213 for the computer based GRE). Applications for admission to the program in the fall semester should be completed by February 1.

Careers

Graduate study in physics provides training for many varied academic and technological careers. Graduates in physics at all levels have found attractive careers in industrial and governmental laboratories and in academic departments. Graduates from K-State are presently engaged in communications research, x-ray laser development, genetic research, university teaching and research in various areas of physics, petroleum research, and industrial electronics, and many other fields. M.S. graduates generally occupy skilled technical positions and Ph.D. graduates generally occupy positions requiring independent work in a wide range of areas.

Research facilities

Experimental atomic, molecular and optical (AMO) physics research is based in the James R. Macdonald (JRM) Laboratory, which is a Department of Energy funded national user facility attached to the physics building. The JRM lab contains a 7-million-volt Tandem Van de Graaff accelerator coupled with a superconducting linear accelerator, an Electron Beam Ion Source (EBIS), and an Electron Cyclotron Resonance Ion source (ECRIS). With these facilities it is possible to prepare fully stripped ions of atoms from hydrogen to chlorine at all energies between 100 eV and 200 MeV. The Laboratory has a new ultra-short pulse, ultra-high intensity TiS laser. The laboratory also is well equipped with magnetic and electrostatic devices, various particle and photon detectors, and high-power pulsed and CW lasers. Data acquisition and analysis are done using ten VAX Station 4000 workstations and a large collection of PC's.

Facilities for semiconductor material fabrication and device processing include: two MOCVD systems for the epitaxial growth of III-nitride semiconductor materials (GaN, InGaN, AlGaN); an inductively coupled plasma (ICP) dry etching system; a scanning electron microscope (SEM) based electron-beam lithograph system; and photolithograph systems. The semiconductor laboratory also possesses the world's first (and the present only) picosecond time-resolved laser spectroscopy system with excitation and detection capabilities expanding from IR to deep UV (1.7 microns < ( < 0.195 microns). The laboratory is also equipped with other facilities such as SEM and AFM systems for structural characterization, a variable temperature (10 K - 650 K) Hall-effect measurement system for transport characterization, and e-beam evaporator for metalization.

Facilities for magnetic research include a computer controlled sputter system with three sputter guns, a shared x-ray facility with the Department of Chemistry, and a SQUID magnetometer to measure magnetic moment (1.8 - 400 K, applied magnetic fields up to 55 kOe). Electron microscopy facilities are also available at Kansas State and are used regularly by physics faculty.

Facilities for the study of liquid interfaces and layers include phase modulated ellipsometry and a recently developed ellipsometric microscope which possesses submonolayer thickness resolution and micron spatial resolution.

A light scattering laboratory is used for study of liquids, aerosols and particulates. Dynamical properties, growth of particles and fractal geometry are studied.

The high energy physics group operates a 520 square foot clean room with probe station and wire bonder for silicon detector test and fabrication. Further space and facilities for detector development exist in the physics high bay building. The Kansas State-High Energy Physics group also makes extensive use of the Kansas State Electronics Design Laboratory. In addition, the group operates two high performance PC computing networks running the NT and Linux operating systems.

The physics department has a cluster of high-end and low-end Unix and Linux workstations connected via the ethernet. Additionally, a consortium of faculty are part of the Center for Scientific Supercomputing which provides the local backbone for high performance computing through its 48 processors of the HP/Convex Exemplar S-class and V-class machines which are housed in Cardwell Hall. Cardwell Hall is connected via fast switches with large bandwidth to the Internet and Internet 2. Kansas State University is also part of the Great Plains Network (GPN), a six-state consortium of state networks and research universities, for the purpose of providing high performance interconnectivitiy among GPN sites and to provide high bandwidth access to Internet 2. Researchers in the physics department have easy access to all national supercomputer centers.

Financial support

The department is continually awarded outside support for research and teaching. The extramural research support for the department has averaged over $6.5 million during each of the last four years. This support is important for the graduate student because it is an indication that the research conducted by the department is regarded highly by the research peers who review the department's proposals. It also indicates that a large number of graduate research assistantships are available in the department. Exceptional students can compete for university graduate fellowships and graduate fellowships offered by the Graduate School. Applications must be completed by January 15 to be considered for a fellowship. The schedule for teaching assistants is about 8 to 10 hours per week in laboratory sections in the introductory physics courses. Summer appointments as research assistants are generally available. The stipend is sufficient for a comfortable life in Manhattan.

Research areas

Experimental atomic physics

The experimental atomic, molecular and optical physics group is involved in a diverse program that investigates the interaction of highly-charged ions with various target media. The ions are created as beams by several ion sources and accelerators located in the J. R. Macdonald Laboratory for atomic physics. The ion beams used in the experiments have a well-defined charge and energy and are thus ideally suited to investigating the behavior of collisions under a variety of well-defined conditions. Single- and multi-electron atomic and molecular processes are investigated by observing the final ionic species and their decay products. The targets in these collisions consist of ground state and laser-excited atoms and molecules, as well as atomic and molecular ion beams. Many measurements are precise enough to provide information about the specific quantum mechanical states involved in the reaction. The results of these observations are compared to the theoretical predictions made by the Kansas-State theory group as well as by theorists elsewhere. The close interplay between theorists and experimentalists often leads to a better understanding of the physics and in some cases suggests new phenomena, experimental methods, or improved calculation methods. The combination of strong groups in both theory and experiment within the same department makes Kansas State one of the leading atomic physics groups in the world. Because of this, we have attracted researchers from around the world to come to Kansas State to carry out their experiments.

A new ultra-short pulse, ultra-high intensity laser system is being used to study the interaction of the laser light with atoms, ions and molecules. High harmonic generation, ionization, electron re-scattering adn molecular breakup are a few of the problems being investigated. The theorists are working in close collaboration with the experimentalists in these endeavors.

Experimental condensed matter physics

The experimental condensed matter group at K-State is conducting research in a wide range of often inter-related areas.

Research on condensed phases include the physics of aggregates, their optics (scattering and absorption), morphology, how they form and how they move; particularly in the context of aerosols, synthesis and properties (magnetic and optical) of nanoparticles and their assemblies (such as superlattices and gels) and of water, especially supercooled, and aqueous solutions.

Semiconductor research within the condensed matter physics group focuses on III-nitride wide bandgap semiconductors, GaN, AlGaN, and InGaN. These semiconductors are recognized as important technological materials for the fabrication of optoelectronic devices operating in the blue/UV spectral region and electronic devices capable of operating under high power and high temperature conditions. Our effort can be divided into four areas:

Optical Studies. Our objectives are to investigate the mechanisms of optical transitions and their dynamic processes and to study the physics components of nitride-based optoelectronic devices.
Transport Studies. Our objectives are to study the mechanisms of p-type doping and properties of deep level impurities in GaN and AlGaN epilayers and the electronic transport properties in two-dimensional electron gas system in AlGaN/GaN heterostructures.
Materials Growth by MOCVD. Our objectives are to develop innovative approaches for synthesizing III-nitride epitaxial layers, heterostructures, and quantum wells (QWs) with reduce dislocations and to fabricate novel device structures.
Device Fabrication. Our effort is focused on the III-nitride micron and submicon-size optoelectronic devices, including optically and electrically pumped micro-disks, micro-rings, micro-waveguides, and micro-pyramids. Our objective here is to develop a knowledge base for future optoelectronic devices based on III-nitrides, in particular for UV/blue micro-size LEDs, microcavity LEDs, microcavity lasers, and vertical cavity surface emitting lasers. The physical realization of microstructures and micro-devices based on III-nitrides is achieved by e-beam- and photo-lithography patterning, advanced inductively-coupled-plasma etching technique, metal contact metalization.

Phase transitions at liquid surfaces and within multilayer liquid films are being studied via optical techniques in order to better understand the physics at the boundaries of bulk materials. Surface structure is strongly influenced not only by the interactions at interfaces but also by any phenomena which is occurring in the adjacent bulk medium. We have therefore been studying (i) the coupling between bulk second order phase transitions and surface phenomena where we have observed universal surface critical behavior in both semi-infinite systems and within thin films and (ii) surface interactions and how these influence and govern surface phase transitions and surface dynamics on a molecular level. A more complete understanding of surface phenomena will be of benefit for many important technological and biological processes, such as, surface chemical reactions, lubrication, and fluid flow through biological membranes or porous media.

Magnetic nanostructures such as nanoscale particles, single layers and multilayers containing rare-earths are prepared by sputter deposition. Making materials small modifies their properties in a number of interesting ways and in this work we look at how the properties of permanent magnets based on Nd₂Fe₁₄B and SmCo₅ are modified. Magnetic properties down to 1.8 K are studied in fields up to 55 kOe and the structure of the materials is characterized with x-ray diffraction and electron microscopy. Our effort can be divided into two areas: 1) improving the hard magnetic properties of permanent magnets (coercivity, energy product) by preparing these materials in very small form, 2) understanding how the observed improvements can be explained in terms of size and interfacial effects.

Experimental high energy physics

The High Energy Physics group has strong research programs in collider physics. Kansas State physicists are playing a key role in building the silicon vertex detector for the next upgrade of the D0 experiment at Fermilab, and are now analyzing data from the frontier of high energy proton-antiproton collisions from the previous D0 experiment. To remain at the energy frontier, they are also heavily involved in preparations for the CMS experiment now under construction at CERN.

The High Energy Physics group is also strong in neutrino physics. K-State physicists have major roles in data analysis and Monte Carlo simulation for the KamLAND experiment and the proposed Double CHOOZ and Braidwood experiments. HEP group members are leaders in the background working group of Braidwood and the on-line group of Double CHOOZ, and have initiated several local research projects to advance the future development of Braidwood, Double CHOOZ, and KamLAND.

Theoretical and Computational Physics

The department offers a diversified program in theoretical and computational physics, including atomic, solid state, soft condensed matter, molecular and surface physics, statistical mechanics, materials physics, cosmology and particle astrophysics. There is significant interaction between experimentalists and theorists within the department and there is also collaboration with faculty in chemistry, biochemistry and engineering. Seminars are held weekly in several of these areas.

Computational physics students are trained to solve accurately and efficiently problems in physics using a wide range of computational techniques. An important aspect of the training is the presentation of problem solutions in a way that can be easily visualized and understood. Various algorithms for molecular dynamics simulation, Monte Carlo methods, ab-initio electronic structure calculations and solutions of generalized Langevin equations are being developed. A strong focus in this area is in the development of efficient algorithms to best exploit the benefits of parallel architecture in modern computers.

A broad range of computational facilities is available in our department with the main computations being carried out using the departmental cluster of Compaq Alpha workstations, high-end and low-end Unix and Linux workstations, and the high performance computational environment provided by clusters of Linux computers. A number of faculty members and their students use supercomputers at national centers in their work, in addition to facilities housed on our own campus.

Some studies of mathematical methods in physics have also been carried out by our faculty and graduate students. These include: studies in group theory with application to atoms, molecules, and nuclei; development of the method of hyperspherical coordinates; and development of complex integration with application to Coulomb wavefunctions. Mathematical aspects of formulations of the few-body and many-body problem have also been developed in our department.

There is strong national and international collaboration with other colleagues. We have a steady exchange with scientists in Argentina, Brazil, China, Denmark, England, France, Finland, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, Pakistan, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and Taiwan. We participate actively in conferences ranging from regional to international. Professors, graduate students and post-doctoral fellows all take part in these meetings.

Theoretical atomic and molecular physics

A broad range of topics in both scattering theory and atomic and molecular structure are studied. These studies are often initially motivated by the need to understand experimental results; they provide broader perspectives on electronic interactions in atoms that are then further tested in experiments. To complement this focus on experimentally driven results, investigations of a fundamentally theoretical nature are also carried out including the development of novel theoretical and computational methods. Theoretical models for collisions of ions, electrons, and photons with atoms and molecules over a broad range of energies are being developed to understand the transfer of energy and momentum among the collision partners. These studies are developed to understand the results of experiments performed at Kansas State and at other laboratories. The study of atomic structure covers a detailed mapping of the de-excitation of atoms and ions produced in such collisions. Our studies of multiply excited states of atoms using hyperspherical coordinates are revealing the similarity between the collective electronic excitations of atoms and the rotational-vibrational modes of polyatomic molecules. Our investigations of interactions of ions (atoms) with surfaces and clusters (such as C60) contribute to a better understanding of corrosion, catalysis, and the still new field of fullerene chemistry.

Theoretical condensed matter physics

The Theoretical Condensed Matter Physics group works in a number of related areas, trying to understand structural, physical, chemical, electronic, vibrational, magnetic, optical, and other properties of solids and condensed phases. The types of systems studied include polymer mixtures and block copolymers, polymer films on rough substrates, metals and semiconductors and their alloys, surfaces, nanocrystallites and nanostructures, chemisorbed gases, magnetic layers, and fine magnetic particles. Theorists working in condensed matter theory apply quantum mechanics, statistical mechanics and advanced computational techniques such as ab-initio electronic structure calculations and classical and quantum Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics simulations, to model the fundamental interactions between atoms and molecules in a material. All of our theorists use computation as an important tool. In addition to achieving a basic theoretical understanding of how atomic interactions lead to interesting macroscopic behavior, an important goal of our condensed matter theorists is to describe many phenomena of technological importance, such as corrosion, catalysis, wetting, phase changes, magnetic and electronic data storage, and friction and nanotribology. Ultimately, theory developed in collaboration with experimentalists will contribute towards the development of novel materials and new and interesting devices based on those materials.

Cosmology and particle astrophysics

The K-State cosmology group focuses on developing and testing models for the large-scale matter and radiation distributions in the universe. Of particular interest are the predictions these models make for the cosmic microwave background radiation anisotropy and other cosmological tests. Other interests include dark energy, inflation, dark matter, cosmological simulations of low- and intermediate-redshift large-scale structure, cosmological magnetic fields, and the analysis of cosmic microwave background radiation anisotropy data sets from satellite and ground- and balloon-based observations.

Physics education

The Physics Education Research Group at K-State investigates and develops ways to improve physics teaching. In recent years the work of this group has concentratted on the development of learning materials for the high school and college level, the use of modern technology, and the training and support of science teachers, and research on student difficulties in learning physics. Current research is focusing on measuring and tracking changes in students' states of understanding through instruction, providing real-time feedback on students' states to students and instructors and developing tools that instructors can use in thier classes to learn more about students' states of understanding. A major component of the Education Group's research focuses on investigating students' mental models about the physical principles underlying everyday devices, measuring the change of these models with instruction, measuring transfer of learning from the classroom to everyday contexts or from one everyday context to another and developing curriculum based on this research by addressing physics used in everday devices. Another project is designing assessment tools that address the materials students learn and their retention in core engineering science courses in math and physics, the level of understanding of the students (facts and procedures versus the broader picture) and to what extenet the students can transfer what they have learned in these math and physics courses to thier engineering courses. The most recent component of research is creating a proof-of-concept demonstration of a new type of digital library for physics teaching. This concept goes beyond simply creating a collection of teaching and learning materials. It provides continuously improving assistance and expertise for teachers and students of all levels.

Physics courses

Undergraduate and graduate credit

PHYS 506. Advanced Physics Laboratory. (3) II. The completion of experiments of current and/or historical interest in contemporary physics. Students develop skills in and knowledge of measurement techniques using digital and analog instruments. Various data analysis techniques are used. One hour rec. and six hours lab per week. Pr.: PHYS 325 and the ability to write computer programs in one of the following languages: Java, BASIC, Pascal, FORTRAN, C, or C++.

PHYS 515. Physics for Science Teachers. (1-4) Study of current topics in physics, with laboratory experience and demonstration of the processes or phenomena under consideration. Topics and activities will be directed toward providing teachers with material for demonstrations and student experiments or projects. Examples of topics are: solar power, laser applications, holography, and subnuclear particles, relativity, or the historical development of some physical concept. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 hours credit. Pr.: One year of college physics.

PHYS 522. Mechanics. (4) II. Principles of statistics and dynamics of systems of particles and rigid bodies. Topics include Newton's laws for one particle, non-inertial reference frames, central forces, system of particles, rigid body statics and motion in a plane and in three dimensions, Lagrangian mechanics and Hamilton's equations, oscillating systems and normal coordinates. Three hours of lec. and one hour rec. per week. The recitation will focus on mathematical methods and techniques applied to problem solving. Pr.: PHYS 224.

PHYS 532. Electromagnetic Fields I. (4) I. An introduction to electricity and magnetism. The first of a two semester study of Maxwell's equations in both integral and differential forms. Topics include electrostatics with vector calculus; electrostatic potential solutions in rectangular, cylindrical, and spherical coordinates; dielectrics; electrostatic energy and capacitance; magnetostatics with vector calculus; Biot-Savart law; vector and scalar potentials for magnetisml magnetic permeability; Faraday's law in integral and differential form; magnetic energy and inductance; displacement current; lumped oscillations and LCR systems; impedance. Three hours of lec. and one hour recitation per week. The recitation will focus on mathematical methods and techniques applied to problem solving. Pr.: PHYS 224 and MATH 240.

PHYS 553. Introduction to the Physics of Lasers. (3) I. A study of the physics of lasers. Survey of current laser systems. Technological applications. Pr.: PHYS 214.

PHYS 620. Teaching University Physics. (3) in alternate years. A discussion of techniques which will aid in the development of understanding the concepts in physics. Emphasis is placed on models of learning and teaching techniques which can be applied to the teaching of contemporary physics to university students. These models and techniques are used to analyze a teaching approach of topics, such as quantum mechanics, which is important to today's physicist. Three class hours per week. Pr.: PHYS 562.

PHYS 623. Oscillations, Waves, and Relativity. (3) I, in alternate years. A study of the theoretical aspects of linear and non-linear oscillating systems and the theory of special relativity. Topics include periodic motion, coupled oscillations, Fourier analysis, mechanical and electromagnetic waves. Special relativity is introduced through its foundation in electromagnetism. Pr.: PHYS 472, 522, and 532.

PHYS 633. Electromagnetic Fields II. (3) II. Second of a two semester study of Maxwell's equations in both integral and differential forms. Special relativity; Lorentz transformations; relativistic invariants; transformation properties of electric and magnetic fields and potentials; Lorentz force and electrodynamics; electromagnetic fields of a point charge; electromagnetic waves; solutions to the wave equation in rectangular, cylindrical, and spherical geometries; wave propagation in matter; reflection, refraction, and transmission; wave guides and fiber optics; Fresnel equations; polarization; dipole radiation. Three lectures per week. Pr.: PHYS 532.

PHYS 636. Physical Measurements Instrumentation. (5) II. A laboratory-oriented course to acquaint students with electronic circuits, their interfacing with measuring instruments, and their use in making physical measurements. Two hours lec. and six hours lab a week. Pr.: PHYS 214 or 224.

PHYS 639. Computations in Physics. (3) II, in alternate years. An introduction to applying computational and numerical techniques to solve problems of interest to physicists. Topics include the application of computational analysis and solution to physical problems in both classical, and quantum physics including particle structure and motion, interaction of particles with fields, and model building for simulation of physical phenomena. A practicum is an integral part of the course. Students will use both personal computers and advanced workstations. One hour lecture, two hours of computer lab per week. Pr.: PHYS 472.; one physics course at the 500 level; and a working knowledge of FORTRAN, BASIC, C or Pascal computer language.

PHYS 642. Nuclear Physics. (3) An introduction to the structure of the nucleus, radioactivity, and nuclear energy; the application of quantum mechanics to describe nuclear physics. Offered on sufficient demand. Pr.: PHYS 562.

PHYS 651. Introduction to Optics. (4) I, in alternate years. Introduction to modern concepts in optics: electromagnetic waves, propagation of light through media, geometrical optics of lenses, mirrors and simple optical instruments, polarization, interference, coherence, and diffractions. Taught in a studio format; three hours of lecture and two hours of laboratory per week. Pr.: PHYS 214.

PHYS 652. Applied Optics and Optical Measurement. (3) II, in alternate years following PHYS 651. Topical approach oriented toward measurements including coherence, Fourier Optics, holography, light scattering, interferometry, laser technology. Three hours of lecture per week. Pr.: PHYS 651.

PHYS 655. Physics of Solids. (3) I, in alternate years. An introduction to the physics of solids with an emphasis on energy band structures, electrical and optical properties of solids and solid state devices. Three hours of lecture per week. Pr.: PHYS 662.

PHYS 662. Introduction to Quantum Mechanics. (4) II. Concepts and mathematical models of quantum physics. Solutions to the time independent Schrödinger equation, descriptions of one-electron and multi-electron atoms, electron spin and magnetic moments. Three hours lec. and one hour reciation per week. The recitation will focus on mathematical methods and techniques applied to problem solving. Pr.: PHYS 325, 522.

PHYS 664. Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics. (3) I. An introduction to thermodynamics developed from the concepts of statistical physics. Applications include the gas laws, concepts of heat and work, phase transitions, and kinetic theory with applications to statistical physics. Pr.: PHYS 522; MATH 240.

PHYS 691. Introduction to Astrophysics. (3) II, in alternate years. An introduction to the application of physical principles to understanding astronomical objects. Topics include properties of stars, stellar evolution, galaxies, and cosmology. Three hours of lec. per week. Pr.: PHYS 325, 522, 532.

PHYS 692. Introduction to Cosmology. (3) II, in even years. An introduction to the physics and astrophysics of the hot big bang model to the Universe. Three hours lecture a week. Pr.: PHYS 522.

PHYS 694. Particle Physics. (3) II, in alternate years. An experimental and phenomenological introduction to high energy physics. The course will emphasize understanding the experimental basis of what is known about the subnuclear domain. Students will be asked to design simple conceptual experiments in addition to solving problems. Three hours of lec. per week. Pr.: PHYS 325.

PHYS 701. Cosmology. (3) I, in even years. A general-relativity-based discussion of the physics of the hot big bang model of the Universe. Pr.: PHYS 692.

PHYS 707. Topics in Physics. (Var.) I, II, S. Special topics courses. Topics and credits announced for the semester in which offered. May be given in conjunction with lecture series by visiting scientists. Pr.: Graduate standing or senior standing and consent of instructor.

PHYS 709. Applied Quantum Mechanics. (3) I. A study of Schrödinger's theory of quantum mechanics and its application to one electron atoms, multielectron atoms, quantum statistics, spectra of molecules and selected topics in quantum excitations of solids, nuclear physics, and elementary particles. Three hours of lec. per week. Pr.: PHYS 662.

Graduate credit

PHYS 800. Problems in Physics I. (1) II. Independent study of the solution of advanced problems in physics at a level appropriate to the M.S. degree. Pr.: Graduate standing and consent of instructor.

PHYS 801. Mathematical Methods of Physics. (3) I. Mathematical techniques for the solution of physical problems. Mathematical topics employed include vector and tensor analysis, matrices, group theory, complex variable theory, differential equations, Sturm-Liouville theory, orthogonal functions, special functions, Fourier series, integral transforms, and the calculus of variations. Pr. PHYS 522 and PHYS 532.

PHYS 802. Computational Methods in Physics. (4) II. Methods of solving physical problems using digital computers including numerical differentiation and integration, error analysis and curve fitting, interpolation, ordinary and partial differential equations, matrix operations, eigenvalues, special functions of mathematical physics. Monte Carlo simulations, and stability of solutions. Two hours lec. each week and a self-paced practicum. Pr.: CIS 580 or MATH 655, PHYS 801, and a working knowledge of FORTRAN, C or C++.

PHYS 806. Journal Club. (Var.) I. Seminar in current topics in physics. Pr.: Graduate standing in physics.

PHYS 807. Graduate Physics Seminar. (1) I, II. Lecture by faculty and graduate students on topics of current research interest. Pr.: Graduate standing in physics. May be repeated.

PHYS 808. Advanced Problems. (Var.) I, II, S. Independent study in a special problem in physics at the graduate level chosen with the advice of a faculty mentor. Pr.: Graduate standing and consent of instructor.

PHYS 811. Quantum Mechanics I. (3) II. Fundamental concepts and general formalisms of quantum theory and its applications to bound states, scattering or few state systems. Introduction to quantum applications of operators and state vectors. Pr. PHYS 709 and 801.

PHYS 821. Advanced Dynamics. (3) II. Study of Lagrangian and Hamiltonian mechanics. Includes canonical transformations, the Hamilton-Jacobi equation, and elements of classical chaos theory. Pr.: PHYS 801.

PHYS 831. Electrodynamics I. (3) I. The interaction of electrical charges with each other and radiation as described by the theory of Maxwell and Lorentz. Topics include Coulomb's law and vector fields, Ampere's law and magnetic fields. Faraday's law and inductive fields, continuity relations and conservation laws. Pr.: PHYS 532 and 801.

PHYS 841. Lasers and Quantum Optics. (3) The theory of lasers and laser-matter interactions: rate equations, line broadening, mode structure, Q-switching, three and four wave mixing, linear and stimulated light scattering. Pr.: PHYS 662 or equiv.

PHYS 850. Theory of Atomic Structure and Atomic Interactions. (3) I, in alternate years. The quantum mechanics of atomic structure and spectra: one and two electron atoms, many electron atoms, molecular structure and spectra, atomic collision theory for electron-atom and ion-atom collisions. Pr.: PHYS 662.

PHYS 860. Electron and Ion Impact Phenomena. (3) II, in alternate years. Atomic collision phenomena; experimental techniques in accelerator-based atomic physics; charged particle and photon spectroscopy; elastic, inelastic, and rearrangement collisions; and applications. Pr.: PHYS 662.

PHYS 881. Introduction to Solid State Physics. (3) I, in alternate years. Introduction to the physics of condensed matter: crystal lattices; lattice dynamics; electron energy bands; fermi surfaces; optical, magnetic, and transport properties of insulators, semiconductors, and metals. Pr.: PHYS 662 or conc. enrollment.

PHYS 899. Research in Physics. (Var.) I, II. S. Master's level research. Pr.: Consent of instructor.

PHYS 907. Advanced Topics in Physics. (Var.) Critical studies of selected advanced topics. Pr.: Comparison of graduate introductory courses in the field of study or permission of the instructor.

PHYS 910. Problems in Physics II. (1) Independent study of the solution of advanced problems in physics at a level appropriate to the Ph.D. degree. Pr.: PHYS 800 and consent of instructor.

PHYS 911. Quantum Mechanics II. (3) I. Formalisms and applications of quantum theory, including symmetry in quantum systems, space-time symmetries, the rotation group, many body systems, and an introduction to relativistic quantum mechanics. Pr.: PHYS 811.

PHYS 912. Advanced Quantum Mechanics. (3) On sufficient demand. Relativistic quantum mechanics; scattering theory; second quantization and the many-body problem. Introduction to quantum electrodymatics. Pr. PHYS 911.

PHYS 913. Advanced Topics in Mathematical Physics. (3) Critical studies of selected advanced topics. May be repeated once for credit. Pr.: PHYS 801.

PHYS 914. Quantum Field Theory. (3) On sufficient demand. Topics may include second quantization, quantization of the free scalar and Dirac fields, quantum electodynamics, quantization of the electromagnetic fild, propagators and Feynman rules, or other contemporary topics in quantum field theory. Pr.: PHYS 911.

PHYS 931. Electrodynamics II. (3) II. The interaction of electrical charges with each other and radiation as described by the theory Maxwell and Lorentz. Topics include the propagation and production of radiation, Lorentz transformations and relativistic dynamics. Pr.: PHYS 831.

PHYS 953. Advanced Topics in Atomic Interactions. (Var.) Critical studies of advanced topics in atomic interactions. Pr.: PHYS 662.

PHYS 971. Statistical Mechanics. (3) I. The study of equilibrium states of physical systems involving many particles. Introduces basic concepts of statistical ensembles and presents applications to non-interacting systems for both classical and quantum-mechanical particles. Discusses aspects of interacting classical systems, including a brief introduction to phase transitions and critical phenomena. PHYS 662, 664, 821.

PHYS 981. Solid State Physics. (3) II, in alternate years. Continuation of PHYS 881. Quantized lattice vibrations, methods of band structure calculations, effective mass formulations, applications to optical absorption, excitons, magnetism, and superconductivity. Pr.: PHYS 811, 662.

PHYS 982. Advanced Topics in Solid State Physics. (3) Critical studies of selected advanced topics. May be repeated once for credit. Pr.: PHYS 881.

PHYS 999. Research in Physics. (Var.) I, II. S. Doctoral level research. Pr.: Consent of instructor.

For more information

For additional information and application materials please contact:
Dr. Dean Zollman Head
Kansas State University
Department of Physics
116 Cardwell Hall
Manhattan, KS 66506-2601
785-532-6786
E-mail: graduate@phys.ksu.edu
Home Page: http://www.phys.ksu.edu/