Liam Ward

Transmission-line theory, microstrip and coplanar lines, S-parameters, signal-flow graphs, matching networks, directional couplers, low-pass and band-pass filters, diode detectors. Design, fabrication and measurements (1-10GHz) of microwave-integrated circuits using CAD tools and network analyzers. Projects are overseen/graded by faculty and may also involve mentoring by representatives from external organizations.

Theory of electromagnetic, physical, and geometrical optics. Classical theory of dispersion. Linear response, Kramers-Kronig relations, and pulse propagation. Light scattering. Geometrical optics and propagation in inhomogeneous media. Dielectric waveguides. Interferometry and theory of coherence. Diffraction, Fresnel and Fraunhofer. Gaussian beams and ABDC law.

The atom-field interaction; density matrix; quantum theory of radiation including spontaneous emission; optical Bioch equations and theory of resonance fluorescence; coherent pulse propagation; dressed atoms and squeezed states; special topics in nonlinear optics.

This is the second semester course on classical electrodynamics theory (PHYSICS 505/506). In this semester, we apply principles discussed in PHYSICS 505 to various E&M systems, including (1) electrostatics, (2) magnetostatics, (3) E&M waves, (4) radiation, scattering and diffractions.

Introduction to non-relativistic quantum mechanics. Summary of classical mechanics, postulates of quantum mechanics and operator formalism, stationary state problems (including quantum wells, harmonic oscillator, angular momentum theory and spin, atoms and molecules, band theory in solids), time evolution approximation methods for time independent and time dependent interactions including electromagnetic interactions, scattering.

This graduate course reviews fundamentals of thermodynamics and statistical mechanics, including the three laws of thermodynamics and their statistical bases, quantum statistical mechanics and quantum gases. The course also covers a selection of advanced topics including phase transitions, critical phenomena, and nonequilibrium statistical mechanics, etc.

This course focuses on (1) continuum/wave dynamics, (2) classical field theory, (3) special relativity and (4) fundamental principles of electrodynamics. It explores basic principles that govern the dynamics of classical fields and waves, as well as generic techniques useful throughout physics and not just for electromagnetism.

An introduction to quantum optics including single photon states, coherent states, standard quantum limit, Heisenberg limit, squeezed light, entanglement, and applications in metrology.

Nanoscale semiconductor materials and devices including quantum confinement, quantum dots, dipole radiation, quantum radiation physics, molecular and bulk excitons, advanced molecular electronics, tight-binding modelling, emerging nanoscale MOSFETs, 2-dimensional metal dichalcogenides and graphene.

Mathematical modelling and computational multiphysics for engineering design synthesizing E&M, thermodynamics, statics, dynamics, and quantum mechanics.

Eigenvalue problems, Fourier transforms, special functions, spherical harmonics, partial differential equations, boundary value problems. Functions of a complex variable, contour integrals, probability and statistics.

Thermal Systems Design covers the physics, thermodynamics and design of energy conversion systems utilized in many engineering systems. The topics include the first and second law of thermodynamics, irreversibility, the Rankine and Brayton cycles, and common refrigeration cycles.

P-N junctions, diodes, bipolar junction transistors, field effect transistors, DC and AC modeling, differential amplifiers and operational amplifiers, feedback and oscillators, digital circuits and multivibrators, signal processing.

Application of quantum mechanics to the electronic, structural and optical behaviour of solids. Topics will include crystal structures, diffraction, electrical conductivity, band theory, lattice vibrations and semiconductors.

Applied numerical methods for engineering including solution of systems of algebraic equations; numerical integration and differentiation; finite difference and finite element methods; ODE solutions; Optimization; Partial differential equations; Monte Carlo simulation.

Design and synthesis project in electronics, focused on integrating analog electronics with a microcontroller to create a PID-controlled device.

Geometrical optics, electromagnetic waves, interference of light, Fraunhofer and Fresnel diffraction, polarized light, Fresnel equations, optical properties of materials, introduction to optical systems and precision optics experiments.

A systems approach to measurement in which synthesis of topics such as Fourier transforms, signal processing and enhancement, data reduction, modelling and simulation is undertaken.

Electronic properties of semiconductors: non-equilibrium carrier conditions; steady state and non-steady state; p-n junctions; Schottky diodes; bipolar junction transistors. Detailed coverage of a range of diodes including photodiodes, solar cells, light emitting diodes, zener diodes, and avalanche diodes.

Data abstraction; algorithm analysis; recursion; lists; stacks; queues; trees; searching; hashing; sorting; sets; relations; functions; modular arithmetic.

An introduction to statistical distributions and their properties, and the statistical basis of thermodynamics at the microscopic level, with applications to problems originating in a modern laboratory or engineering environment.