• Course title: Classical and Quantum Transport
• Number of ECTS: 4
• Course code: MCMP-32
• Module(s): Module 1.2
• Language:
• Mandatory: Yes

In this course, students will learn to describe transport in nonequilibrium systems. Transport phenomena (electric current, heat transport, motion of fluids) are ubiquitous both in classical as well as in quantum physics. We will discuss the most important equations of classical transport theory (Boltzmann equation, Navier-Stokes equation). Regarding quantum systems, we will mostly focus on electronic transport for which we will use scattering theory and the theory of open quantum systems. The student will learn the basic techniques applicable to noninteracting systems (Landauer-Büttiker theory) and interacting systems (master equations, Born-Markov approximation).

A student who takes this course will become familiar with the most important transport phenomena, which are ubiquitous in both classical and quantum physics and engineering. He/she will understand how to derive them and how to solve them by applying them to simple situations.

See “Objectives”.

Task 1:
Students must hand in solutions to the homework assignments every week. Homework solutions will be graded, and students must present their solutions regularly during the exercise class. Students must reach more than 50% of points to pass.
Task 2:
The students need to pass the final written exam at the end of the semester. Students need to reach more than 50% of the points to pass.
Assessment rules: 
Books, notes, devices, etc. are not allowed during the final exam. The students can work in groups in the homework assignments, but each students must submit individually.
Assessment criteria:
Final grade will be weighted average.

——————————————————————————————————————————————–

Retake exam offered 

If a student has passed the homework part, he/she can retake the exam without redoing the homework assignments.

 

Books will be recommended in class but are not essential. Lecture notes will be available.

• Course title: Advanced experimental and Theoretical Laboratory Classes (Part 1)
• Number of ECTS: 4
• Course code: MCMP-49
• Module(s): Module 1.7
• Language: EN
• Mandatory: Yes

The module aims at

• 
  familiarizing the student with modern research topics in experimental and theoretical condensed-matter physics;
  


• 
  fostering the student’s ability to autonomously achieve scientific tasks;
  


• 
  introducing the student to modern experimental techniques and challenging theoretical approaches;
  


• 
  strengthening the student’s experimental and analytic skills;
  


• 
  developing the student’s capability to interpret and properly describe scientific results.
  

A student who passes this course is expected to be able

• 
  to tackle new scientific tasks in experimental and theoretical condensed-matter physics;
  


• 
  to familiarize themselves with modern experimental tools and challenging theoretical approaches;
  


• 
  to work on a modern research topic with a proper autonomy;
  


• 
  to work out and defend scientific reports.
  

Students must undertake 40 hours of TP classes from the following:

• Electrochemical and thin film properties of copper (8 hours);
• Raman spectroscopy I (8 hours) + Raman spectroscopy II (8 hours);
• Photoluminescence spectroscopy (16 hours);
• Ellipsometry (8 hours).
• Rheology (16 hours);
• X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (8 hours);
• Scanning Force Microscopy and Spectroscopy (16 hours);
• Scanning electron microscopy with X-ray microanalysis (16 hours);
• X-ray diffraction (8 hours);
• Quantitative Microscale Imaging in Biological Physics (16 hours);
• Numerical simulation of many-body quantum systems (16 hours);
• Solar cells (8 hours).

Subjects are not final and may change before the start of the semester and from one semester to another.

Abstracts of the different TP classes will be provided to students at the beginning of the semester.

Students will be paired in groups by the class coordinator, who will also decide which classes they must attend.

Groups and class schedules will be communicated on the first day of the semester via Moodle.

All communications will be delivered through Moodle

 

Task 1: Two weeks before the start of the class, students must contact the class supervisor to obtain information and study materials. This step is compulsory to be allowed into the class.
Task 2: Participate in the lab class.
Task 3:  Write a scientific report, which will be evaluated by the TP class supervisor.
Assessment rules:  Before being allowed into a lab class, students will receive preparatory materials from the supervisor. The supervisor will evaluate the students’ responses to determine if they acquired sufficient knowledge on the topic before starting the class.

Assessment criteria:  The final grade will be determined by averaging the marks obtained in the various TP classes

Each student must complete 40 hours of lab classes. After each lab class, the student must write a scientific report, which will be evaluated and marked by the supervisor. All the marks will be combined and averaged to determine the final grade.

Retake exam not offered

 

 

Support Literature : Handouts describing topics and tasks and literature references indicated therein

 

 

• Course title: Magnetism
• Number of ECTS: 2
• Course code: MCMP-54
• Module(s): Module electives 1.8
• Language: EN
• Mandatory: No

The lecture aims at
introducing the student to the basic principles of magnetism and magnetic materials
applying these principles to problems in fundamental and applied magnetism
developing the ability to critically assess certain issues in the field

After completion of the course, the student is expected to understand and explain

the basic quantities in magnetism (magnetic moments, magnetic fields, magnetization, units, etc.)
the basic phenomenology and the various manifestations of magnetism (hysteresis loop, domains and domain walls, spontaneous magnetization, Dia-, Para-, Superpara, Ferro-, Antiferro-, Ferrimagnetism, etc.)
the basic magnetic interactions and anisotropies (exchange interaction, magnetocrystalline anisotropy, magnetostriction, magnetodipolar interaction, Zeeman interaction, etc.)
simple models for magnetism (Mean-Field theory, Curie-Weiss law, Bloch law (magnons), Stoner-Wohlfarth model, micromagnetism, etc.)
the basics of the main experimental techniques (ac+dc magnetization, neutron scattering, spin-polarized STM, Kerr microscopy, Lorentz microscopy, magnetic force microscopy, Mössbauer spectrocopy, etc.)
the basics of magnetic materials (hard and soft magnets, ferrofluids, nanoparticles, thin films and multilayer structures, etc.)

Introduction
– Basic Quantities (magnetic moment, orbital and spin angular momentum, Hund rules, …)
– Units, Fields, …
– Bohr-van Leeuwen Theorem
Basic Forms of Magnetic Media
– Dia-, Para-, Superpara-, Ferro-, Antiferro-, Ferrimagnetism
– Magnetic Susceptibility (Curie and Curie-Weiss-Law)
– Weiss Molecular Field Theory
Magnetic Interactions and Anisotropies
– Heisenberg Exchange Interaction
– Crystal Fields
– Spin-Orbit Interaction ( magnetocrystalline anisotropy)
– Magnetostriction
– Dipole-Dipole Interaction ( shape anisotropy)
Theory of Micromagnetism
– Magnetic Energies (continuum approximation)
– Magnetic Domains (Bloch and Néel walls)
– Stoner-Wohlfarth Model
– Magnons (Bloch T3/2-Law)
Observational Techniques
– Neutron Scattering
– Kerr Microscopy
– Lorentz Microscopy
– Spin-Polarized Scanning Tunneling Microscopy
– Magnetic Force Microscopy
– Mössbauer Spectroscopy
Magnetic Materials
– Hard and Soft Magnets
– Nanoparticles
– Ferrofluids
– Nanowires
– Thin Films and Multilayers

ORAL EXAM (about 30 minutes) at the end of the semester during exam session

 

Retake exam offered

Retake exam modalities:
 Oral exam (about 30 minutes) as before

Support: PowerPoint presentation


[1] C. Kittel, Physical Theory of Ferromagnetic Domains, Reviews of Modern Physics 21, 541 (1949).

[2] S. Blundell, Magnetism in Condensed Matter (Oxford University Press, 2001).

[3] A. Aharoni, Introduction to the Theory of Ferromagnetism (Oxford University Press, 2000).

[4] S. Chikazumi, Physics of Ferromagnetism, 2nd ed. (Oxford University Press, 1997).

[5] A. Hubert and R. Schäfer, Magnetic Domains (Springer, Berlin, 1998).

[6] B.D. Cullity and C.D. Graham, Introduction to Magnetic Materials, 2nd ed. (Wiley, 2009). 

• Course title: Solid state spectroscopy I – Vibrational spectroscopies
• Number of ECTS: 1
• Course code: MCMP-55
• Module(s): Module electives 1.8
• Language: EN
• Mandatory: No

The objective of the course is to introduce students to vibrational spectroscopies in solids, explain their importance in solid state physics and describe their experimental aspects.

The student who passes this course will be able:

• 
  to describe lattice vibrations and their importance
  


• 
  to compute phonons using simple models 
  


• 
  to identify the experimental methods to measure them
  

Lattice dynamics:

• Group theory and symmetry
• Computations and models

Experimental techniques:

• Infrared spectroscopy
• Inelastic scattering of light: Raman and Brillouin spectroscopies
• Inelastic X-ray scattering
• Inelastic neutron scattering

30 minutes oral exam, no document allowed.

Retake exam – rules: identical to the first exam

Support :

PowerPoint presentation and other supporting material provided by the teacher.

 

• Course title: Discrete-time stochastic processes
• Number of ECTS: 6
• Course code: F1_MA_MAT_FM-1
• Module(s): Module electives 1.8
• Language: EN
• Mandatory: Yes

Introduction to basic concepts of modern probability theory

On successful completion of the course, the student should be able to:

• Understand and use concepts of modern probability theory (e.g., filtrations, martingales, stopping times)


• Apply the notion of martingale to model random evolutions


• Know and apply classical martingale convergence theorems


• Describe and manipulate basic properties of Brownian motion 

Radon-Nikodym Theorem, conditional expectations, martingales, stopping times, optional stopping theorems, Doob’s inequalities, martingale convergence theorems, martingale central limit theorem, Brownian motion.

Exam modalities for the first session 
Combined Assessment (40% Homeworks, 60% Written In-person Final Exam).

Exam modalities for the retake exam
Combined Assessment (40% Homeworks, 60% Written In-person Final Exam).

Absence Plan
In the case of justified absence in the final exam a replacement exam during the same semester will be offered.

 

 

• Rick Durrett: Probability Theory and Examples


• Yuval Peres, Peter Morters: Brownian Motion

• Course title: Partial Differential Equations I
• Number of ECTS: 7
• Course code: F1_MA_MAT_GM-3
• Module(s): Module electives 1.8
• Language: EN
• Mandatory: No

The goal of the course it to get acquainted with Partial differential equations (PDE) as a powerful tool for modeling problems in science, providing functional analytic techniques in order to deal with PDE.

On successful completion of the course the student should be able to: 

• Apply methods of Fourier Analysis to the discussion of constant coefficient differential equations


• Work freely with the classical formulas in dealing with boundary value problems for the Laplace equation


• Prove acquaintance with the basic properties of harmonic functions (maximum principle, mean value property) and solutions of the wave equation (Huygens property)


• Solve Cauchy problems for the heat and the wave equations


• Give a pedagogic talk for peers on a related topic 

Fourier transform, the classical equations, spectral theory of unbounded operators, distributions, fundamental solutions.

Written exam

Literatur

1. Rudin: Functional analysis


2. Jost: Postmodern analysis


3. Folland: Introduction to partial differential equations.


4. Reed-Simon: Methods of mathematical physics I-IV

• Course title: Physics didactics 1
• Number of ECTS: 3
• Course code: BA_PHYS_GEN-36
• Module(s): Module electives 1.8
• Language: FR, DE, EN
• Mandatory: No

découvrir la richesse de l’enseignement de la physique
planifier et vivre des situations d’enseignement en classe
planifier des expériences de démonstration
analyser ses propres performances pour mieux s’orienter dans son choix professionnel
comprendre l’enseignement de la physique dans différents ordres d’enseignement.

Learn about the challenges posed by teaching then teaching physics then in multilingual and academic environments, communicating, use of new techniques/possibilties

Students will get the opportunity to teach in a ‘real life’ situation in a secondary school class. Furthermore there are courses on how to prepare, student pre – and misconceptions, evaluative and formative assessment, practical work and latest multi media methods e.g. Chat GPT, online teaching pros and cons, use of news in press, fake news,… 

Assessment is done by handing in a portfolio at the end of the semester.

This portfolio documents the different course subjects, activities, lesson plans, teaching performance etc. Attendance is mandatory to fulfill the requirements and no ECTS will be given for non-attendance. Elements evaluated: regular attendance, participation, assignments, preparation, execution and analysis of practical part

Graded to 20 marks.
Assessment rules: portfolio has to be handed in by a deadline announced to the students 
Assessment criteria: Practical part : 50 %
Courses, assignments, participation : 50% 

Retake exam not offered

Notes de cours:
G. de Vecchi, L’enseignement scientifique, Delagrave, 2002, ISBN: 2-206-08471-6
H. Gudjons, Handlungsorientiert lehren und lernen, Klinkhardt, 2008, 2008, ISBN: 978-3-7815-1625-0
Kirchner Girwidz Häußler, Physikdidaktik, Springer, 2001, ISBN: 3-540-41936-5
H. Klippert, Methodentraining, Beltz 2005, ISBN: 3-407-62545-6
A.B. Arons Teaching Introductory Physics, Wiley, 1996, ISBN: 978-04711-37078
M. Reiss Understanding Science Lessons, Open University Press, 2001, ISBN: 978-0335-197699
H.K. Mikalsis (Hrsg.) Physik Didaktik, Cornelsen Scriptor, 2006, ISBN: 378-3589221486
Edited by J.Osborne and J. Dilon Good Practice in Science teaching, OUP 2010 ISBN: 978-033523858-3

Science learning and teaching, Routledge 3rd ed. , J. Wellington and G. Ireson ISBN 978-0-415-61972-1

Journals:  Physik in unserer Zeit, Praxis der Naturwissenschaften, The Physics Teacher, American Journal of Physics,.. 

• Course title: Scientific Python
• Number of ECTS: 1
• Course code: F1_MA_MAT_MMCS2-4
• Module(s): Module electives 1.8
• Language: EN
• Mandatory: Yes

• Introduction


• Getting started


• Basics of Python


• Array computations with numpy


• Array computations with numpy (cont.)


• Plotting with matplotlib


• Tabular data manipulation with pandas


• Tabular data manipulation with pandas (cont.)


• Writing good quality and robust Python code

First session

You should feel comfortable writing basic scientific programs in Python, and be able to participate fully in future courses that require an element of programming.

Retake exam
Retake exam not possible, course must be retaken.

This course covers the basics of scientific programming with Python. It is aimed at people who have done some programming before, perhaps on an undergraduate course, but need a refresher before starting their Masters or Doctoral degrees at the University.
https://jhale.github.io/scientific-python/ 

A coursework will be distributed at the end of the class. To pass the course and receive the ECTS credits you must complete the coursework.

• Course title: Solid State Physics
• Number of ECTS: 6
• Course code: MCMP-27
• Module(s): Module 1.1
• Language: EN
• Mandatory: Yes

The course introduces the students to the atomic and electronic structure of solid crystalline materials. The goal of solid-state physics is to understand the macroscopic properties (such as hardness, color, electrical conductivity, heat capacity, etc.) from the microscopic structure of the material. The lattice dynamics (phonons) of crystalline materials will be studied in oder to understand the thermal properties of matter. The electronic structure of metals, semiconductors, and insulators will be treated in detail, as well as their optical properties.

A student who passes this course will be able to:
– explain the most common crystal structures and their determination by X-ray scattering
– describe the reaction of crystals to various stresses
– understand the storage and transport of heat in solids
– explain the difference between metals, semiconductors and insulators based on their electronic structure
– understand the link between optical properties and electronic excitations
-understand the basic concepts that dictate superconductivity
The course will enable the student to study the literature on current research topics in the field of solid-state physics.

 
 

crystal structures (reciprocal lattice, X-ray diffraction, crystal bonds, crystal defects)
elastic properties (continuum mechanics, elastic tensors)
phonons (quantisation, dispersion, Debye and Einstein model, specific heat and heat conduction)
electrons (band structure, Sommerfeld model, Bloch functions, quasi free electrons, tight binding model, defects in semiconductors)
solid state optics (model dielectric functions, electronic transitions)
superconductivity

Task 1:  home-assignment (the student must achieve at least 50% of the total possible marks to be allowed to take the oral exam). Final oral exam at the end of the semester

Assessment rules:  80% oral exam and 20% TD mark

Mark consists of two parts: 20% TD mark + 80% oral exam mark
TD: Exercise sheet, 1 week time to solve the problems
1 exercise sheet per week
Oral final  exam – entrance requires at least 50% of total points in the TD
Oral exam – 50 minutes (25min: Dale; 25min: Redinger)

Assessment criteria: 
QA during oral exam. Questions will be based on the content of the course. Written notes will be taken. Marks will be discussed by the two Professors after all the exams in order to assure a fair assessment of all students. Both parts (Prof. Dale Prof. Redinger) will be weighted equally.

Retake exam offered 

Retake exams can only be accepted if oral exam requirement fulfilled

Retake exam – rules:
Marks from TD 50% or 10/20 minimum
Marks from TD will be carried over and 80%-20% rule still applies

 

Support : Lecture Slides
Literature :
– C. Kittel, Introduction to Solid State Physics, Wiley
– H. Ibach and H. Lüth, Solid-State Physics, An Introduction to Principles of Materials Science,Springer
– N.W. Ashcroft and N.D. Mermin, Solid State Physics, Saunders College Publishing
– Rudolf Gross, Achim Marx, Festkörperphysik, Oldenbourg Verlag (in German)
– P. Yu and M. Cardona, Fundamentals of Semiconductors: Physics and Materials Properties, Springer
– K. Kopitzki, Einführung in die Festkörperphysik, Teubner (in German)
– G. Burns, Solid State Physics, Academic Press, used only

• Course title: Computational Methods
• Number of ECTS: 4
• Course code: MCMP-21
• Module(s): Module 1.3
• Language: EN
• Mandatory: Yes

The main idea of the course is to provide knowledge and practical experience of the numerical techniques that constitute the basis of Computational Physics and Chemistry. Some emphasis will be put on the analysis of the outcome of the variation of physical parameters and numerical hyperparameters for the given problem.

For a given physical problem, students will be capable of writing a program to find its numerical solution and analyze the resulting data.
Students will have an overview of standard numerical algorithms adopted in computational Physics and Chemistry as well as their limitations.

The main idea of the course is to provide knowledge and practical experience of the numerical techniques that constitute the basis of Computational Physics and Chemistry. Some emphasis will be put on the analysis of the outcome of the variation of physical parameters and numerical hyperparameters for the given problem.

The first part of the course will consolidate the basics of Python3 programming and cover the basic algorithms necessary to solve simple equations. The second part will introduce more advanced methods with applications to physical problems. Specifically, we will treat

Introduction to Python and relevant packages

Numerical differentiation and integration

Linear algebra solvers

Root finding and minimization

Ordinary differential equations

Partial differential equations

Monte Carlo methods

Molecular dynamics

Basics of machine learning

Each lecture will be comprised of an introduction to the theory behind a given technique, followed by a practical session centered on its implementation and application to well-known problems.

 

Task 1: Homework’s weekly assignments.
Task 2: Final project.
Task 3: Written Exam.
Assessment rules:
Students hand in homework individually, no equipment is required/allowed for written exams.
Assessment criteria: 
Weights for final grade: Task 1: 20%, Task 2: 50%, Written Exam: 30%,
Each graded out of 20
The final mark is calculated as a weighted average according to the abovementioned weights.

 

The most recommended textbooks
Numerical Methods in Physics with Python, Alex Gezerlis (Cambridge University Press, 2020)
Numerical Analysis 9th ed., Richard L. Burden and J. Douglas Faires (Brooks/Cole, 2011)
Computational Methods for Physicists, Simon Sirca and Martin Harvat (Springer, 2012)
Other textbooks of note
Numerical Methods for Scientists and Engineers, Richard W. Hamming (Dover publications)
Numerical Recipes series, William H. Press, Saul A. Teukolsky, William T. Vetterling and Brian P. Flannery (Cambridge university press)
Numerical Methods, E. A. Volkov (Hemisphere publishing corporation)
General resources on Python
https://www.codecademy.com/learn/learn-python-3
https://www.learnpython.org/en/
https://lectures.scientific-python.org

• Course title: Colloids and Liquid Crystals
• Number of ECTS: 4
• Course code: MCMP-41
• Module(s): Module 1.4
• Language: EN
• Mandatory: Yes

The objective of this course is to introduce students to the world of colloids and liquid crystals and make them discover these soft states of matter with their distinctive and useful physical properties. 
Main Objectives
1.To understand what a liquid crystal is and the distinctive characteristics from the anisotropic properties.
2.To be able to identify colloidal systems, understand the key colloidal scale interactions and the physics of colloid stabilization and destabilization.
3.To associate nano- or microscale to macroscopic properties as consequence of self-assembly/self-organization processes.
4.To get acquainted with the theories for describing colloids and liquid crystals. 
5.To get acquainted with some characterization tools and their working principles. 
 

A student who passes this course will be able to:
– Identify liquid crystalline and colloidal systems and describe, prepare and analyze them using the proper physics and physical chemistry tools, both in terms of concepts and experimental equipment;
– Explain the characteristics of the two main classes of liquid crystals and account for their typical phase behavior in response to relevant thermodynamic control parameters.
– Describe the concept of liquid crystal director and account for its relation to macroscopic properties, its interaction with electric and magnetic fields, as well as the consequences of director field deformations.
– Master the concept of an order parameter and apply it to describe phase transitions as well as to correlate characteristics on the molecular and macroscopic scales.
– Elucidate the propagation of light in liquid crystals and colloids, in particular considering anisotropy (birefringence), periodic internal structures (structural color) and refractive index heterogeneity (scattering).
– Illustrate the basic mechanism of function of liquid crystal displays.
– Define the conditions for colloidal stability or instability, accounting for the effect of salts.
– Account for the impact of colloid dispersity and how it can be reduced by fractionation.
This course will enable the student to read the academic literature dealing with the fundamental properties of liquid crystals and colloids. It also provides a firm basis to follow more advanced courses in soft condensed matter. 

– Definition of colloids and liquid crystals and the key concepts for describing them. 
– Overview of liquid crystal classes (thermotropic/lyotropic) and phases (nematic, cholesteric, smectic, …) and colloid types (associated/unassociated, suspensions, emulsions, gels, …).
– Self-assembly and self-organization.
– Basics of optics of anisotropic media and application to the case of liquid crystals.
– Liquid crystal elasticity and topological defects.
– Viscosities, dielectric/magnetic properties of liquid crystals; response to electric/magnetic fields.
– Design and principles of liquid crystal displays (LCDs).
– Chiral systems and their peculiar properties.
– Key colloidal interactions: van der Waals attraction (and analysis by the Hamaker approach), hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic effect, electrostatic interactions in liquids, capillary forces.
– Poisson-Boltzmann and DLVO theories; electrostatic double layer, Debye screening length, hydrodynamic radius, Zeta potential, ionic strength, electrostatic screening.
– Steric versus electrostatic stabilization. Destabilization using salt, polymer bridging or depletion attraction. Sedimentation, centrifugation and flocculation.
– Experimental methods for studying colloids and liquid crystals.

Combined evaluation (mid-term exam + final exam).

Task 1:
mid-term exam

Task 2:
Attendance to TD classes and hand-in (not graded) homeworks for the TD classes (to be solved by students on the board) 

Task3:
Final exam(written)
Assessment rules: 
During the exam students need to use calculators, not connecting to online resources. No books or notes consultation.
Assessment criteria: 
Total score out of 20
(mid-term exam 30% + activity in TD participation 10% + final exam 60%)
Retake exam (oral) offered with additional required pre-exam test (written, 1 h) in case the intermediate evaluation (mid-term exam) was below threshold (10/20)  and/ or the participation to the TDs was insufficient.
Retake exam – rules: 
Students need to use calculators, not connecting to online resources, no books or other consultation allowed (written test).
Total score: sum between the following scores: 10% from the activity in TDs, written test (30%) – if any – and oral (60%), otherwise 90% oral exam. 

 

Support:
Lecture slides available on Moodle 
Literature:
Main course books:
“Introduction to Liquid Crystals: Chemistry and Physics”, by 
Peter J. Collings, Michael Hird, CRC Press, ISBN-13: 9780748404834 – CAT# TF1996
“An Introduction to Interfaces Colloids; The bridge to Nanoscience” by John C. Berg, World Scientific Press, ISBN-13: 978-981-4293-07-5
Additional reference books:
“The Physics of Liquid Crystals”, P.G. de Gennes, J. Prost, 
Oxford University Press, ISBN-0 19 8520247
“Intermolecular and Surface Forces” by Jacob Israelachvili, Academic Press, imprint of Elsevier, ISBN: 978-0-12-375182-9
‘Colloidal Dispersions”, W. B. Russel, D. A. Saville, and W. R. Schowalter. Cambridge University Press, 1989, ISBN 978-0-521-42600-8
Total score, sum between the following scores: 10% from the activity in TDs, written test (30%) – if any – and oral (60%), otherwise 90% oral exam. 

 

• Course title: Laser Physics
• Number of ECTS: 4
• Course code: MCMP-40
• Module(s): Module 1.5
• Language: EN
• Mandatory: Yes

The objective of this course is to introduce students to lasers and the fundamental concepts in optics and physics that are at the basis of their operations. 
Main Objectives
1. To understand what a laser is and how it works
2. To understand the properties of a laser beam
3. To know fundamental aspects of interaction between light and matter
4. To learn what are the principal uses of lasers in a scientific environment
5. To understand different type of lasers and different regimes of operation
6. To introduce nonlinear optics
 

A student who passes this course will be able to:
– Describe the physical processes that make possible a laser
– Explain what the fundamental ingredients in a laser are and what is their role in the lasing action
– Describe the propagation of a laser beam
– Elucidate the coherence properties of the light emitted by a laser
– Describe the continuous and pulsed operation regimes
– List typical laser and explain their peculiarities
– Explain the fundamental aspects of nonlinear optics
– Describe the main scientific applications of laser light
This course will enable the student to read the academic literature dealing with laser physics and acquire knowledge useful in advanced courses of optics and photonics.
 

– Spontaneous and stimulated emission
– Gain media and rate equations
– Laser cavity and relative modes
– Solid state lasers
– Gas lasers
– Semiconducting lasers
– Coherence of laser radiation
– Propagation of a Gaussian beam
– Q-switching and mode locking
– Introduction to nonlinear optics
– Lasers in science

Oral exam


Assessment criteria: The oral examination accounts for 100% of the mark. But the submission of 2 out of 3 exercise sheets during the course of the semester is necessary condition to be ad mitted to the exam.
Retake exam offered

Retake exam rules: Same condition for the normal exam IF the exercise requirement has already been achieved

Support :
Lecture slides 
Literature :
Book: Principles of Lasers, by O. Svelto, Springer, ISBN 978-1-4419-1302-9 
Advanced Book: Ultrafast Optics, by A.M. Weiner, Wiley, ISBN 978-0-471-41539-8 
 

• Course title: Classical and Quantum Information Theory
• Number of ECTS: 4
• Course code: MCMP-45
• Module(s): Module 1.6
• Language: EN
• Mandatory: Yes

Acquiring a working knowledge of fundamental concepts in classical and quantum information theory

Elements of classical and quantum information theory, probability and statistics.

Over the last decades, physics has evolved to identify the role of information as a unifying umbrella, transforming the understanding of biophysics, statistical mechanics, and condensed matter theory. Quantum Information theory has emerged as a new field merging quantum physics, information theory, and computer science.
This course covers elements of information theory both in the classical and quantum levels. The first part introduces the elements of the classical theory, introducing various information measures and their relation to physics. The second part focuses on the quantum information science, including measurement theory, quantum metrology, quantum information processing, and quantum computation.

Task 1: Written exam.
Task 2: Participation during CM and TD and working out assignments in TD.
Assessment rules: No electronic devices or lecture notes are allowed during the exam.
Assessment criteria:  60% theory, 40% exercises
Retake exam offered
Retake exam rules : The retake exam will have the same format as the final exam.
No special conditions apply. Continuous evaluation carries over to retake exam.

References:

J. A. Thomas and T. M. Cover, Elements of Information Theory , 2nd ed. ( Wiley , 2006)
Isaac Chuang, Michael Nielsen, Quantum Computation and Quantum Information (Cambridge, 2000).

 

• Course title: Semiconductors and Solar Cells
• Number of ECTS: 4
• Course code: MCMP-33
• Module(s): Module 2.4
• Language: EN
• Mandatory: Yes

This course aims at:
giving a short overview/repetition on the electronic structure of semiconductors (bands and defects)
introducing the students to charge carrier statistics
educating the students on the optical properties of semiconductors
training the students in basics of pn junctions
introducing the students to junctions under illumination and the functioning of solar cells
introducing the students to the thermodynamic balances in solar cells

A student who passes this course will be able to:
– understand the role of doping in semiconductors
– describe qualitatively and quantitatively absorption and light emission in semiconductors
– delineate qualitatively and quantitatively the behaviour of pn junctions in the dark and under illumination
– explain qualitatively and quantitatively the efficiency limits in solar cells
The course will enable the student to study the literature on current research topics in the field of semiconductor physics.

Electronic structure of semiconductors
Charge carrier statistics
Excitation and recombination
The equilibria in a solar cells 
p/n junction in the dark and under illumination

Task 1: active and successful participation in TD
Assessment rules: submit homework via moodle
Assessment criteria: regular participation and at least 2/3 of the problems attempted – are prerequisite to participate in oral exam
Task 2: Written mid term exam
Assessment rules: first part no resources besides the students’ brain, second part: open book (any paper resources allowed), no electronic devices
Assessment criteria: weight on final grade 1/3
At least 6/20 point prerequisite to take oral exam
Task 2: Oral exam in exam period
Assessment rules: 30min oral exam
Assessment criteria: weight on final grade 2/3

Support :
Lecture Slides
 
Literature :
– R. F. Pierret, Advanced Semiconductor Fundamentals, Prentice Hall
– P. Yu and M. Cardona, Fundamentals of Semiconductors: Physics and Materials Properties, Springer
– K. Seeger, Semiconductor Physics, Springer
– S.M. Sze, K.K. Ng, Physics of Semiconductor Devices, Wiley
– P. Würfel, Physics of Solar Cells, Wiley
– M. Grundmann, The Physics of Semiconductors, Springer
– J. Pankove, Optical Processes in Semiconductors, Dover
– W. Mönch, Electronic Properties of Semiconductor Interfaces, Springer
 

• Course title: Nonequilibrium soft and active matter
• Number of ECTS: 4
• Course code: MCMP-47
• Module(s): Module 2.5
• Language: EN
• Mandatory: Yes

Students will be given an overview of the techniques required to model and analyze fluctuations for a large class of systems in soft and living matter. First, we will present the equivalence between Langevin equation, Fokker-Planck equation, and path probability to describe the time-evolution of a stochastic process. On this basis, we will establish the essential properties of equilibrium, including steady-state properties (Boltzmann distribution, equipartition theorem) and relaxation to steady state (linear response, fluctuation-dissipation theorem, Green-Kubo formulas). We will also discuss how the laws of thermodynamics extend to stochastic processes (stochastic thermodynamics, fluctuation theorems), with applications to colloidal engines. Then, we will introduce a specific class of nonequilibrium systems, which extract energy from their environment to sustain an individual directed motion, known as *active matter*. We will discuss the consequences of self-propulsion in specific examples. For many-body systems, we will show that it can lead to collective effects without any equilibrium equivalent, which will be rationalized based on coarse-grained hydrodynamic equations.

Students will become familiar with techniques of statistical mechanics to analyze fluctuations beyond steady state, both for equilibrium and nonequilibrium systems, including recent progress in stochastic thermodynamics.

> Modeling fluctuations: Langevin equation, Fokker-Planck equation, path probability
> Symmetry of fluctuations: fluctuation-dissipation, linear response, fluctuation theorems
> Stochastic thermodynamics: energetics at microscopic scale, first and second laws, engines
> Active matter: particle-based approach, collective effects, consequences of irreversibility
> Field theories: coarse-graining microscopic dynamics, extended Landau-Ginzburg approach

Oral and/or written exam.

Relevant literature
– Van Kampen, ‘Stochastic processes in physics and chemistry’
– Gardiner, ‘Handbook of stochastic methods’
– Risken, ‘The Fokker-Planck equation’
– Chaikin, Lubensky, ‘Principles of condensed matter physics’
– Chandler, ‘Introduction to modern statistical mechanics’.

• Course title: Advanced experimental and theoretical laboratory classes (Part 2)
• Number of ECTS: 3
• Course code: MCMP-13
• Module(s): Module 2.6
• Language:
• Mandatory: Yes

The module aims at

• 
  familiarizing the student with modern research topics in experimental and theoretical condensed-matter physics
  


• 
  fostering the student’s ability to autonomously achieve scientific tasks
  


• 
  introducing the student to modern experimental techniques and challenging theoretical approaches
  


• 
  strengthening the student’s experimental and analytic skills
  


• 
  developing the student’s capability to interpret and properly describe scientific results
  

A student who passes this course is expected to be able

• to tackle new scientific tasks in experimental and theoretical condensed-matter physics


• to familiarize himself with modern experimental tools and challenging theoretical approaches


• to work on a modern research topic with a proper autonomy


• to work out and defend scientific reports

• Scanning Tunneling Microscopy and Spectroscopy (16 hours)
• Scanning electron microscopy with X-ray microanalysis (16 hours)
• X-ray diffraction (8 hours)
• Quantitative Microscale Imaging in Biological Physics (16 hours)
• One dimensional quantum systems (16 hours)
• Rheology (16 hours)
• Scanning Tunneling Microscopy and Spectroscopy (16 hours)
• Scanning electron microscopy with X-ray microanalysis (16 hours)
• X-ray diffraction (8 hours)
• Quantitative Microscale Imaging in Biological Physics (16 hours)
• One dimensional quantum systems (16 hours)
• Rheology (16 hours)

Written reports on experiments; continuous control

Support :
Handouts describing topics and tasks and literature references indicated therein
Literature :
Handouts describing topics and tasks and literature references indicated therein

• Course title: Literature Seminar
• Number of ECTS: 2
• Course code: MCMP-7
• Module(s): Module 2.7
• Language: EN
• Mandatory: Yes

The course aims at introducing the student to basic topics of condensed-matter physics as well as teaching him/her to read scientific literature, and to present and defend its contents in an oral presentation.

A student who passes this course will be able to:
read and understand the main ideas of a scientific article
present and defend a piece of scientific research to an audience

Seminar topics are proposed by the professors from the Departement of Physics and Materials Science along with a corresponding corpus of scientific literature. The seminar is prepared during one-to-one appointments between students and teachers and delivered in front of the group at the end of the semester. Examples of past topics include – for illustration purposes only: 

Solution of the 1D Ising model
Capillary waves at gas liquid interfaces
Skyrmion lattices in metallic and semiconducting B20 transition metal compounds
Dynamic nuclear polarization
Graphene and other two-dimensional materials: physical properties and potential technological applications.
Topological insulators: what are they, how do they work, and what is their technological relevance?

Oral presentation (seminar)

Support / Literature: Scientific articles and references therein as provided by the teachers.

• Course title: Didactics for Physics 2
• Number of ECTS: 3
• Course code: BA_PHYS_GEN-26
• Module(s): Module Options 2.8
• Language: EN
• Mandatory: No

• découvrir la richesse de l’enseignement de la physique


• planifier et vivre des situations de TP en classe


• expérimenter différentes méthodes modernes d’enseignement


• analyser ses propres performances pour mieux s’orienter dans son choix professionnel


• évaluer la performance des élèves


• comprendre l’enseignement de la physique au secondaire et secondaire technique

Connaître les multiples facettes de l’apprentissage et de l’enseignement de la physique et les défis posés à l’enseignant.

Engagement régulier, élaboration d’un portfolio personnel (pièces créées à partir des éléments traités en cours), présentation du portfolio

Notes de cours
G. de Vecchi, L’enseignement scientifique, Delagrave, 2002, ISBN: 2-206-08471-6
H. Gudjons, Handlungsorientiert lehren und lernen, Klinkhardt, 2008, 2008, ISBN: 978-3-7815-1625-0
Kirchner Girwidz Häußler, Physikdidaktik, Springer, 2001, ISBN: 3-540-41936-5
H. Klippert, Methodentraining, Beltz 2005, ISBN: 3-407-62545-6
A.B. Arons Teaching Introductory Physics, Wiley, 1996, ISBN: 978-04711-37078
M. Reiss Understanding Science Lessons, Open University Press, 2001, ISBN: 978-0335-197699
H.K. Mikalsis (Hrsg.) Physik Didaktik, Cornelsen Scriptor, 2006, ISBN: 378-3589221486

• Course title: Partial Differential Equations II
• Number of ECTS: 8
• Course code: MAMATH-156
• Module(s): Module Options 2.8
• Language: EN
• Mandatory: No

Learning tools in order to deal with PDE, understanding the interplay between local and global problems and techniques.

Distributions as generalized functions continued, Sobolev spaces, elliptic regularity,
elliptic operators on compact manifolds, some non-linear equations.

Written exam

Literatur

• Jost: Postmodern analysis


• Folland: Introduction to partial differential equations


• Reed-Simon: Methods of mathematical physics I-IV


• Aubin: Nonlinear analysis on manifolds

• Course title: Knowledge Discovery and Data Mining
• Number of ECTS: 5
• Course code: MICS2-13
• Module(s): Module Options 2.8
• Language: EN
• Mandatory: No

We understand Data Mining (Knowledge Discovery) as a life-cylce process from  data to information and insights. In times of Big data, Data Mining has become a central interest both for industry and academia. In this course, we discuss several data-related aspects like preprocessing or pricacy as well as selected aspects of Machine Learning. An expansive definition of Data Mining, which is the derivation of insights from masses of data by studying and understanding the structure of the constituent data, and selected applications complete the course.

* Explain the fundamental concepts of data mining and knowledge discovery
* List the properties of data relevant for deriving interesting and useful information/observation from that.
* Explain machine learning algorithms and strategies to deploy the discovered results
* Argue the importance of domain knowledge during the data analysis with its scope and limitations

* Definition and Process.
* Data Mining, Data Science, and the Big Data Hype.
* Data Quality and Preprocessing
* Data Privacy and Security.
* Data and Information Visualization.
* Machine Learning for Clustering, Classification, Association Discovery, Sequential Pattern Analysis, and/or Time Series Analysis.

60% oral or written examination; 40% midterm tests

Selected references:

* M. Berry, G. Linoff: Mastering Data Mining, John Wiley Sons, 2000.
* U. Fayyad, G. Piatetsky-Shapiro, P. Smyth, R. Uthurusamy: Advances in Knowledge
Discovery and Data Mining, AAAI/MIT Press, 1996.
* J. Han, M. Kamber: Data Mining: Concepts and Techniques, 2nd edition, Morgan
Kaufmann, ISBN 1558609016, 2006.
* I. Witten, E. Frank, M. Hall: Data Mining: Practical Machine Learning Tools and
Techniques, 3nd Edition, Morgan Kaufmann, 2011.

• Course title: Communicating science
• Number of ECTS: 3
• Course code: MCMP-48
• Module(s): Module Options 2.8
• Language:
• Mandatory: No

Learn to simplify without loss of accuracy when dealing with non-experts
Know your audience
Learn how to deal with nervousness 
Learn how to explain things simply
Improvement of presentation skills (interactive, body language, pace)

Presentation skills
Organizational skills 
Teaching skills
Outreach skills

The course is a mix of theoretical introductions, practical experiences within the group and finally outreach activites in direct contact with the public (high school students, general public at events). All field work will be performed within the frame of the Scienteens Lab’s workshops. This requires some flexibility regarding the personal schedule.

Active participation
Attendance
Written final project, report, presentation or movie

Support :

The course material is dynamically evolving within the group and part of the course process. Exemplary material will be provided and the participants can bring examples themselves.
Literature :
Pierre Laszlo: Communicating Science, A Practical Guide 
Carmine Gallo: Talk Like TED
…and many more

• Course title: Master Thesis 1
• Number of ECTS: 30
• Course code: MCMP-50
• Module(s): Module 3.1
• Language:
• Mandatory: Yes

• Course title: Master Thesis 2
• Number of ECTS: 30
• Course code: MCMP-52
• Module(s): Module 4.1
• Language: EN
• Mandatory: Yes

The objective of the master thesis is to develop the student’s autonomy in the different dimensions of a research work. 

By the end of the project, the student shall be able to know and report on the state of the art in the research field, master relevant research methods, produce original results and defend them in writing and orally.

Master thesis 2 is a continuation of the research project started in Master thesis 1.

Task 1: Master thesis
Assessment rules: The Master thesis is an original document written by the student. It has to undergo a plagiarism check. The length of the document is left to the appreciation of the supervisor(s) and may depend on the nature of the research work. The grade is agreed on by the supervisor and the co-evaluator. 
Assessment criteria: The report is graded based on the clarify of the hypothesis, the quality and presentation of the scientific results, the compliance with the standards of scientific writing. 
Task 2: Oral defense of the Master thesis
Assessment rules: The defense is held in front of the supervisor(s) and co-evaluator and is open to other members of the department. The defense consists in a 30-minute presentation followed by about 20 minutes of questions. All attending professors may participate in the deliberation. 
Assessment criteria: In addition to the intrinsic scientific content evaluated in the written report, the defense is graded based on the quality of the oral presentation and the ability to answer scientific questions raised by the audience. 
The final mark is the average of the two marks for the written thesis and the oral defense. 

Depending on the research topic