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New Mexico State University
Graduate Catalog
2012-2013

PHYSICS

Department website: http://physics.nmsu.edu/

(575) 646-3831

physics@nmsu.edu

S. Zollner, department head, Ph.D. (Stuttgart) – experimental condensed matter and applied physics; V. Papavassiliou, graduate program coordinator, Ph.D. (Yale) – nuclear and particle physics; R. L. Armstrong, Ph.D. (Johns Hopkins) – optics and laser physics; C. W. Bruce, Ph.D. (New Mexico State) – applied optics; M. Burkardt, Ph.D. (Erlangen) – theoretical nuclear and particle physics; M. DeAntonio, Ph.D. (New Mexico State) – applied optics; M. Engelhardt, Ph.D. (Erlangen) – computational nuclear and particle physics; W. R. Gibbs, Ph.D. (Rice) – theoretical nuclear physics; G. H. Goedecke, Ph.D. (Rensselaer) – theoretical physics, optics; T. M. Hearn, Ph.D. (Cal Tech) – seismic tomography, seismology; Stephen Kanim, Ph.D. (University of Washington) – Physics Education; B. Kiefer, Ph.D. (Michigan) – computational condensed matter physics, mineral physics; G. S. Kyle, Ph.D. (Minnesota) – nuclear and particle physics; H. Nakotte, Ph.D. (Amsterdam) – materials science, neutron scattering; J. Ni, Ph.D. (Cornell) – geophysics, seismology; S. F. Pate, Ph.D. (Pennsylvania) – nuclear and particle physics; J. Urquidi, Ph.D. (Texas Tech) – materials science, neutron and X-ray scattering; I. Vasiliev, Ph.D. (Minnesota) – computational materials science

DEGREE: Master of Science
MAJOR: Physics
CONCENTRATION: Space Physics

DEGREE: Doctor of Philosophy
MAJOR: Physics

MINOR: Physics

The Department of Physics offers programs in many areas of emphasis leading to the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees. Admission to these programs is based on undergraduate and/or previous graduate grade-point averages, performance on the general and subject Graduate Record Examination, and references.

The M.S. in Physics with a concentration in Space Physics program provides students with a strong foundation in physics with an intensive focus on space physics. Graduate study in space physics at the master's level prepares graduates for continued and specialized study toward the doctorate program in space-related fields as well as for challenges they will confront in space industrial and government settings.

All degree-seeking graduate students must satisfy the relevant Graduate School requirements, pass a qualifying examination based on undergraduate physics courses at the 400 level, successfully complete a 500-level laboratory, and demonstrate or develop knowledge of computer programming.

For the master's degree, students must also successfully complete or transfer at least 30 course credits and pass a final oral examination or the doctoral comprehensive examination. Of these 30 credits, at least 21 must be in physics/geophysics, at most 3 may be for individual study or other informal courses, at most 6 may be for a thesis, and at most 9 may be numbered between 450 and 499. A master's thesis is optional.

For the master's degree with a concentration in Space Physics, students most successfully complete the following physics core and specialized courses:

PHYS 493, Experimental Nuclear Physics 3
PHYS 511 or 495, Mathematical Method of Physics I 3
PHYS 520, Selected Topics: Plasma Physics 3
PHYS 551, Classical Mechanics 3
PHYS 554 or 454, Quantum Mechanics I or Intermediate Modern Physics 3
PHYS 561 or 461, Electromagnetic Theory I or Intermediate Electricity and Magnetism I 3
PHYS 584 or 480, Statistical Mechanics or Thermodynamics 3

In addition, all physics M.S. students with a concentration in Space Physics must take a minimum of three elective courses in their specialization from the following list.

ASTR 535, Observational Techniques I 3
ASTR 575, Computational Astrophysics 3
ASTR 620, Planetary Science I 3
ASTR 698, Special Topics: Solar Physics and Space Weather 3
E E 460, Space System Mission Design and Analysis 3
GPHY 540, Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors 3
M E 533, Computational and Theoretical Fluid Mechanics 3
PHYS 576 or 476, Advanced Computational Physics I or Computational Physics 3
PHYS 591 or 491, Advanced High Energy Physics I or High Energy Physics I 3

For the Ph.D. degree, students must also pass the doctoral comprehensive examination, carry out original research, complete a dissertation, and pass a final oral examination. They must also pass or transfer at least 36 credits in formal courses numbered above 500 in physics/geophysics, including 24 credits of core graduate courses, and complete at least 6 credits of formal courses numbered above 600. The total number of credits, including formal and informal course credits and a minimum of 18 dissertation credits, must be at least 72. Financial support is available to graduate students in physics through teaching and research assistantships and fellowships. Inquiries about these opportunities should be directed to the graduate program coordinator.

Students may choose areas of emphasis from a variety of experimental, theoretical, and computational research programs in the department. The current major research areas of the department include atmospheric physics, condensed matter physics/materials science, geophysics, optics, particle and nuclear physics, physics education, and others. These research projects are supported by multimillion-dollar funding by various federal agencies and two national laboratories within the state of New Mexico: Los Alamos National Laboratory and Sandia National Laboratories. In addition to the in-house research, the department conducts collaborative research programs with the Brookhaven National Laboratory, the Center for Integrated NanoTechnologies, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratories, the Thomas Jefferson Laboratory, Fermilab, and other national and international laboratories.

The department is housed in a newly- renovated building which contains research laboratories, classrooms, offices, and a computational laboratory..

PHYSICS

PHYS 450. Selected Topics 1-3 cr.
Readings, lectures or laboratory studies in selected areas of physics. May be repeated for a maximum of 12 credits.
PHYS 451. Intermediate Mechanics I 3 cr.
Vector calculus, Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulations of Newtonian mechanics. Topics include central force motion, dynamics of rockets and space vehicles, rigid body motion, noninertial reference frames, oscillating systems, relativistic mechanics, classical scattering, and fluid mechanics. Prerequisite(s): PHYS 213 or PHYS 215G, and MATH 291G. Pre/Corequisite(s): MATH 392.
PHYS 454. Intermediate Modern Physics I 3 cr.
Introduction to quantum mechanics, the modern theory of mechanics governing all fundamental processes. Topics include: distinct quantum states; angular momentum; time evolution of quantum systems; motion in one- and three-dimensions; bound states; perturbation theory, and scattering. Among the many quantum phenomena discussed are: the Stern-Gerlach experiment; the ammonia maser; spin precession and resonance; harmonic oscillation; quantum tunneling; atoms and molecules; radioactive decay; systems of identical particles. Prerequisite(s): MATH 392 and PHYS 315.
PHYS 455. Intermediate Modern Physics II 3 cr.
Continuation of topics in PHYS 454. Prerequisites: PHYS 454. Main campus only.
PHYS 461. Intermediate Electricity and Magnetism I 3 cr.
Covers electro-and magneto-statics, dielectric and magnetic materials, electromagnetic wave propagation, reflection, refraction, waveguides, radiating systems, interference and diffraction, Newtonian and relativistic electrodynamics and plasma physics. Prerequisite(s): PHYS 214 or PHYS 216G or equivalent and MATH 291G. Pre/Corequisite(s): MATH 392 and PHYS 395.
PHYS 462. Intermediate Electricity and Magnetism II 3 cr.
Continuation of topics in PHYS 461. Prerequisites: PHYS 461. Main campus only.
PHYS 471. Modern Experimental Optics 2 cr. (6P)
Advanced laboratory experiments in optics related to the material presented in PHYS 470. Prerequisite/corequisite: PHYS 470. Same as E E 481.
PHYS 472. Non-Linear Optical and Laser Physics 3 cr.
An introduction to the physics of non-linear optical processes primarily involving the interaction of intense laser radiation with matter. Topics include elements of laser physics, harmonic generation, stimulated Rayleigh, Raman, and Brillouin scattering, self-focusing and optical phase conjugation.
PHYS 473. Introduction to Optics 3 cr.
The nature of light, Geometrical optics, basic optical instruments, wave optics, aberrations, polarization, and diffraction. Elements of optical radiometry, lasers and fiber optics. Prerequisite(s): PHYS 216G or PHYS 217. Crosslisted with: E E 473
PHYS 475. Advanced Physics Laboratory 0-3 cr.
Advanced undergraduate laboratory involving experiments in atomic, molecular, nuclear, and condensed-matter physics. Prerequisite: PHYS 315 and 315L
PHYS 476. Computational Physics 3 cr.
An introduction to finite difference methods, Fourier expansions, Fourier integrals, solution of differential equations, Monte Carlo calculations, and application to advanced physics problems. Prerequisite(s): PHYS 150 or equivalent and MATH 392.
PHYS 477. Fiber Optic Communication Systems 4 cr. (3+3P)
See E E 477 Prerequisite(s): C or better in E E 315 or PHYS 461. Crosslisted with: E E 477
PHYS 478. Optical Sources, Detectors, and Radiometry 4 cr. (3+3P)
See E E 478. Prerequisite(s): PHYS 217. Crosslisted with: E E 478
PHYS 479. Lasers and Applications 4 cr. (3+3P)
See E E479 Prerequisite(s): C or better in E E 315 or in PHYS 461. Crosslisted with: E E 479
PHYS 480. Thermodynamics 3 cr.
Thermodynamics and statistical mechanics. Basic concepts of temperature, heat, entropy, equilibrium, reversible and irreversible processes. Applications to solids, liquids, and gases. Prerequisites: PHYS 217, PHYS 315 and MATH 291G.
PHYS 485. Independent Study 1-3 cr.
Individual analytical or laboratory studies directed by a faculty member. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits.
PHYS 488. Condensed Matter Physics 3 cr.
Crystal structure, X-ray diffraction, energy band theory, phonons, cohesive energy, conductivities, specific heats, p-n junctions, defects, surfaces, and magnetic, optical, and low-temperature properties. Prerequisite: PHYS 315.
PHYS 489. Introduction to Modern Materials 3 cr.
Structure and mechanical, thermal, electric, and magnetic properties of materials. Modern experimental techniques for the study of material properties. Prerequisite: PHYS 315.
PHYS 491. High Energy Physics I 3 cr.
Particle detectors, accelerators, and experimental techniques. Fundamental particles and interactions. Symmetries in particle physics. Quark model of hadrons. Electroweak theory. Strong interactions and QCD. Nuclear interactions at high energies. Grand unification. Super symmetry. Prerequisite(s): PHYS 455.
PHYS 493. Experimental Nuclear Physics 3 cr. (1+6P)
Selected experimental investigations in nuclear physics such as measurement of radioactivity, absorption of radiation, nuclear spectrometry. Prerequisite: PHYS 315.
PHYS 495. Mathematical Methods of Physics I 3 cr.
Applications of mathematics to experimental and theoretical physics. Topics selected from: complex variables; special functions; numerical analysis; Fourier series and transforms, Laplace transforms. Prerequisite(s): MATH 392 and PHYS 395.
PHYS 500. Special Topics Seminar 1-2 cr.
Treatment of topics not covered by regular courses. Graded S/U. May be repeated.
PHYS 508. Physics for Educators 3 cr.
Assists K-12 teachers in developing pedagogy in physics. Addresses New Mexico benchmarks and standards.
PHYS 511. Mathematical Methods of Physics I 3 cr.
Same as PHYS 495. Additional work required at a more advanced level.
PHYS 520. Selected Topics 1-3 cr.
Formal treatment of graduate-level topics not covered in regular courses. Prerequisites: graduate standing, consent of instructor, and selection of a specific topic prior to registration. May be repeated for a maximum of 9 credits.
PHYS 521. Individual Study 1-3 cr.
Individual analytical or laboratory studies directed by a faculty member. Prerequisites: graduate standing, consent of instructor, and selection of a specific topic prior to registration. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits.
PHYS 527. Fiber Optic Communication Systems 4 cr. (3+3P)
Same as E E 527 Crosslisted with: E E 527
PHYS 528. Optical Sources, Detectors, and Radiometry 4 cr. (3+3P)
Same as E E 528 Crosslisted with: E E 528
PHYS 529. Lasers and Applications 4 cr. (3+3P)
Same as E E 529 Crosslisted with: E E 529
PHYS 551. Classical Mechanics 3 cr.
Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulation of dynamics. Advanced treatments of most topics listed under PHYS 451, 452, plus canonical transformations and Hamilton-Jacobi theory. PHYS 451 and PHYS 452 strongly recommended.
PHYS 554. Quantum Mechanics I 3 cr.
Wave function, indeterminacy, classical limit. Schrodinger equation. Atomic and nuclear systems. Angular momentum, intrinsic spin, identical particles. Scattering theory. Mathematical formalism, symmetry and conserved quantities. Perturbation theory. Dirac theory, introduction to quantized fields. PHYS 452, PHYS 454, and PHYS 456 strongly recommended.
PHYS 555. Quantum Mechanics II 3 cr.
Continuation of topics in PHYS 554. Prerequisites: PHYS 554 or consent of instructor.
PHYS 561. Electromagnetic Theory I 3 cr.
Detailed advanced treatments of most topics listed under PHYS 461, PHYS 462, plus multipole radiation, collisions of charged particles and bremsstrahlung, scattering, and radiation reaction. PHYS 461 and PHYS 462 strongly recommended.
PHYS 562. Electromagnetic Theory II 3 cr.
Continuation of topics in PHYS 561. Prerequisites: PHYS 561 or consent of instructor.
PHYS 570. Advanced Physical Optics 3 cr.
Taught with PHYS 470 with additional work required at the graduate level. Recommended preparation is E E 370 or PHYS 370 or equivalent. Restricted to: Main campus only. Crosslisted with: E E 570
PHYS 571. Advanced Experimental Optics 2 cr.
Taught with PHYS 471 with additional work required at the graduate level. Consent of instructor required. Corequisite(s): PHYS 570.
PHYS 572. Advanced Nonlinear Optical and Laser Physics 3 cr.
Same as PHYS 472 with differentiated assignments for graduate students.
PHYS 575. Advanced Physics Laboratory 0-3 cr.
Selected experiments in atomic, molecular, nuclear and condensed-matter physics.
PHYS 576. Advanced Computational Physics I 3 cr.
Advanced treatment of topics listed under PHYS 476, plus additional required work. Applications of numerical methods to complex physical systems. Recommended knowledge of Fortran or C, and MATH 377 or MATH 392. Same as PHYS 476, but additional work required.
PHYS 577. Fourier Methods in Electro-Optics 3 cr.
Same as E E 577 Crosslisted with: E E 577
PHYS 578. Optical System Design 3 cr.
See E E 578. Crosslisted with: E E 578
PHYS 580. Laser Detection Techniques 3 cr.
Fundamentals of laser detection. Laser radar sensing (LIDAR), laser induced fluorescence, raman scattering, opto-galvanic spectroscopy, opto-acoustic spectroscopy, and other common laser detection techniques. Recommended preparation is PHYS 478 and PHYS 479 or equivalent.
PHYS 584. Statistical Mechanics 3 cr.
Thermodynamics review. Probability, entropy, equilibrium. Canonical and grand canonical ensembles. Classical and quantum statistics. Degenerate and classical gases. Application to the equilibrium properties of solids, liquids, and gases. Kinetic theory and transport processes. PHYS 452, PHYS 454, and PHYS 455 strongly recommended.
PHYS 586. Nonlinear Dynamics I 3 cr.
Introduction to nonlinear dynamics and deterministic chaos. Typical topics include stability and bifurcations; chaos in one dimensional maps; universality and renormalization group; symbolic dynamics; fractals; sensitive dependence on initial conditions; self-organization and complexity; time series analysis; cellular automata and computer experiments. Knowledge of differential equations and linear algebra is desired. Prerequisite: familiarity with ordinary differential equations and linear algebra. Same as MATH 586.
PHYS 588. Advanced Condensed Matter Physics 3 cr.
Same as PHYS 488, but additional work required. Prerequisite: PHYS 554 or consent of instructor.
PHYS 589. Modern Materials 3 cr.
Same as PHYS 489 with differentiated assignments for graduate students. Prerequisite: PHYS 554 or consent of instructor.
PHYS 591. Advanced High-Energy Physics I 3 cr.
Taught with PHYS 491 with additional work required at the graduate level. Prerequisite(s): PHYS 555 or consent of instructor.
PHYS 592. Advanced High-Energy Physics II 3 cr.
Taught with PHYS 492 with additional work required at the graduate level. Prerequisite(s): PHYS 591.
PHYS 599. Master's Thesis 0-88 cr.
Thesis.
PHYS 600. Research 1-88 cr.
Doctoral research. May be repeated.
PHYS 620. Advanced Topics in Physics 1-3 cr.
Advanced formal treatment of topics not covered in regular courses. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. May be repeated for a maximum of 9 credits.
PHYS 649. Application of Tensor Analysis 3 cr.
Introduction to tensor analysis, Gaussian differential geometry, and Reimannian geometry. Working knowledge of vector methods is assumed and numerous physical applications in electrodynamics and special relativity are included. Course is intended to cover the tensor-theoretic preliminaries for PHYS 650. Prerequisite(s): PHYS 511 or PHYS 561 or consent of instructor. Crosslisted with: MATH 649
PHYS 650. General Relativity I 3 cr.
Basic foundations and principles of general relativity, derivation of the Einstein field equations and their consequences, the linearized theory, the Bel-Petrov classification of the curvature tensor, derivation of the Schwarzschild solution and the four basic tests of general relativity. Prerequisite(s): PHYS 511 or PHYS 561 or consent of instructor.
PHYS 676. Advanced computational Physics II 3 cr.
Continuation of the advanced computational techniques presented in PHYS 576 with special emphasis on numerical descriptions of quantum systems. Topics include two-body scattering, bound states, time-dependent systems, and scattering of a projectile from a many-body system. Methods for the solution of several-body problems include Monte Carlo Green's function techniques. Prerequisites: PHYS 555, PHYS 576, or consent of instructor.
PHYS 680. Independent Study 1-3 cr.
Individual analytical or laboratory studies directed by a faculty member. Prerequisite: graduate standing or consent of instructor. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits.
PHYS 688. Advanced Condensed Matter Physics II 3 cr.
Continuation of the advanced condensed matter physics presented in PHYS 588. Topics include electronic structure methods, optical, magnetic, and transport properties of solids, semiconductors, crystalline defects, nanostructures, and noncrystalline solids. Prerequisite(s): PHYS 588.
PHYS 689. Advanced Modern Materials 3 cr.
Advanced topics in the physics of modern materials, such as crystalline, amorphous, polymeric, nanocrystalline, layered, and composite materials and their surfaces and interfaces. Prerequisites: PHYS 555, PHYS 588, or consent of instructor.
PHYS 691. Quantum Field Theory I 3 cr.
Path integrals, gauge invariance, relativistic quantum mechanics, canonical quantization, relativistic quantum field theory, introduction to QED. Prerequisites: PHYS 555 and PHYS 562, or consent of instructor.
PHYS 692. Quantum Field Theory II 3 cr.
QED, running coupling constant, QCD, electroweak theory, asymptotic freedom, deep inelastic scattering, basic QCD phenomenology, path integrals in quantum field theory, lattice QCD. Prerequisite: PHYS 691 or consent of instructor.
PHYS 700. Doctoral Dissertation 0-88 cr.
Dissertation.

GEOPHYSICS

GPHY 450. Selected Topics 1-3 cr.
Readings, discussions, lectures or laboratory studies of selected areas of geophysics. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. May be repeated for a maximum of 12 credits.
GPHY 500. Special Topics Seminar 1-2 cr.
Supervised study of selected topics not covered by regular courses.
GPHY 510. Geophysical Field Methods 1-3 cr. (3+9P)
Field collection, reduction, and interpretation of geophysical data; equipment operation. Prerequisite: GPHY 452 or equivalent.
GPHY 520. Selected Topics 1-3 cr.
Formal treatment of graduate topics not covered in regular courses. Prerequisites: graduate standing, consent of instructor, and selection of a specific topic prior to registration. May be repeated for unlimited credit.
GPHY 530. Seismology 3 cr.
Seismic wave propagation in a layered earth, ray theory, exploration techniques, earth structure, and seismicity. Prerequisites: PHYS 511, MATH 472, or equivalent.
GPHY 540. Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors 3 cr.
Formation and evolution of the Earth and planets. Internal physical and chemical structure. Pressure and temperature effects on rocks. Equations of state. Physical mechanisms of plate tectonics. Physics of the Earth s core, planetary magnetism, geodynamo. Prerequisites: consent of instructor.
GPHY 560. Applied Inverse Theory 3 cr.
Inversion of data with an emphasis on geophysical problems. Curve fitting, tomography, earthquake location, overdetermined and underdetermined problems, linear and nonlinear problems. Prerequisite: either MATH 280, equivalent, or consent of instructor. Computing experience desirable. Same as PHYS 560.
GPHY 598. Special Research Problems 1-3 cr.
Individual investigations, either analytical or experimental. May be repeated for unlimited credit.
GPHY 599. Master's Thesis 0-88 cr.
Thesis.
GPHY 620. Advanced Topics in Geophysics 3 cr.
Advanced formal treatment of a topic or topics not covered in regular courses. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. May be repeated for unlimited credit.
GPHY 621. Special Topics Seminar 1-3 cr.
Seminar treatments of advanced special topics in geophysics. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. May be repeated for unlimited credit.
GPHY 630. Theoretical Seismology I 3 cr.
Advanced treatment of wave propagation, ray theory, inversion methods, extension to heterogeneous media, and free oscillations. Prerequisites: GPHY 530 and PHYS 512.
GPHY 700. Doctoral Dissertation 0-88 cr.
Dissertation.