Experimental Techniques III

The objective of the course is to familiarize students with the fundamental aspects related to Electrodynamics, Quantum Physics and Optics from an experimental perspective. The course seeks the student to experiment on the basic principles and laws of the laboratory-related subjects, and in particular , trying to stimulate a critical analysis of the compatibility between the theoretical models and the data obtained experimentally.

In order to provide a better learning of the subject, the course is carried out in three laboratories, each specialized in one of the three aforementioned subjects.

After passing this course the student:
· Will have a wide knowledge of the technologies and experimental systems used in the field of Physics
· Will have acquired the ability to execute and implement the safety standards of a typical laboratory.
· Will have technical and scientific competence to ensure the achievement of accurate and reproducible results from which draw valid conclusions in the scientific area.
· Will have knowledge and skill in the handling of the most common basic experimental techniques in the field of
Electrodynamics, Optics and Quantum Physics
· Know how to design a study to validate / reject a hypothesis.
Demonstrate a good knowledge and management of the most relevant basic computer tools in the field of Physics.

The contents of this subject divided by laboratories are:




Electrodynamics Laboratory:

1. THOMSON TUBE. Measurement of the charge-mass ratio for an electron.
2. EXPERIMENTS WITH MICROWAVES. Fundamental properties of microwave fields, near zone and radiation zone. Microwave Frequency Optics: Reflection, Interference, and Diffraction.
3. STUDY OF THE PROPAGATION IN A TRANSMISSION LINE. Study of the parameters of a transmission guide. Response of a line to a sinusoidal signal and a pulse type signal.
4. STUDY OF PROPAGATION IN A RECTANGULAR GUIDE. Electromagnetic wave propagation in guides. Adaptation of guides.
5. STUDY OF THE PROPAGATION OF WAVES IN A MEDIUM WITH LOSSES. Wave propagation in conductors. Calculation of the conductivity of a metal.

Optics Laboratory:

1. EXPERIENCES OF GEOMETRIC OPTICS: Characterization of positive and negative lenses. Experimental analysis of the formation of images with optical instruments: simple microscope, compound microscope and telescope. Analysis of theory-experiment compatibility.
2. ASPECTS OF THE INTERACTION LIGHT-MATTER: Measurement by reflection of the light of the angle of a prism. Identification of the spectrum of a source. Measurement of the refractive index of a glass for different wavelengths. Analysis of theory-experiment compatibility.
3. POLARIZATION OF THE LIGHT: Preliminary and qualitative analysis of linear polarizers and retarding sheets. Generation and analysis of different polarization states of light using polarizers and retarding sheets.
4. INTERFERENCE OF THE LIGHT: Interferometry devices by wavefront division and by amplitude division (Young and / or Michelson interferometers). Applications of interferometry in the field of optical metrology and spectroscopy. Observation and analysis of different interferential phenomena.
5. DIFFRACTION OF LIGHT: Experimental analysis of diffracted light in the far field (Fraunhoffer diffraction) by different openings or obstacles. Applications of diffraction in the field of optical metrology.
Other topics in the field of optics that may be of pedagogical or topical interest

Quantum Physics Laboratory:

1. RADIATION-MATTER INTERACTION. The photoelectric effect: Observation of the photoelectric effect and determination of the Planck constant.
2. THE GEIGER-MÜLLER COUNTER. Familiarization with the use of a Geiger-Müller counter. Study of the most significant characteristics of radioactivity. Study of some practical applications of radioactivity in the industry.
3. RUTHERFORD DISPERSION. Differential cross section measurement of dispersion of alpha particles by gold cores. Study of the dependence of the differential efficient section with the atomic number of the target.
4. FUNDAMENTAL ASPECTS OF QUANTIZATION IN ATOMIC SYSTEMS. The Balmer series: Observation of the three visible lines of the spectrum of the hydrogen atom and measurement of its wavelengths by means of a diffraction grating.
5. THE EXPERIMENT OF FRANCK-HERTZ. Demonstration that the transfer of energy in elastic collisions of free electrons with atoms is quantized. Measurement of the difference in energies between the ground state and the first excited state of the Neon.
6. ATOMIC SPECTRA. Observation and measurement of the wavelengths of the visible spectra of monatomic gases and metals by the decomposition by a diffraction network of the light emitted by a discharge lamp.
7. LAW OF STEFAN FOR BLACK BODY. Verification of Stefan's law for radiation emitted by a black body.
8. DIFFACTION OF ELECTRONS. Observation of the diffraction of electrons in a cathode ray tube and measurement of the constants of a graphite network

(Note: The USC library staff is in the process of purchasing new electronic material, like e-books, that could be especially useful in case of a scenario change imposed by health authorities. The instructors will post all relevant information in the Campus Virtual web page).

Laboratory of Electrodynamics:
- J. M. Miranda, J. L. Sebastián, M. Sierra e J. Margineda. Ingeniería de microondas. Prentice Hall, 2002.
- D. M. Pozar, Microwave Engineering, Wiley, 1998.
- Griffiths, D. J., Introduction to Electrodynamics, 3rd ed, Prentice Hall, 1999, (3 A41 71).
- Jackson, J.D., Classical Electrodynamics, Wiley, 1999.

Laboratory of Optics:

- C. Bohren, What Light Through Yonder Window Breaks?: More Experiments in Atmospheric Physics, Dover Science.
- J. Casas, Optica. Librería General, Zaragoza.
- S. Gil, E. Rodríguez, Física re-Creativa: experimentos de física usando nuevas tecnologías. Argentina, Prentice-Hall, 2001
- E. Hecht, A. Zajac, Optica. Fondo Educativo Interamericano.
- Jenkins e White, Fundamentals of Optics. McGraw-Hill.
- T. Kallard, Exploring laser light. AAPT.
- M.G.J. Minnaert, Light and Color in the Outdoors, Springer.
- C. Sánchez del Río, Análisis de errores. EUDEMA.
- R.S. Sirohi, A course of experiments with He-Ne laser. John Wiley.
- W.A. Shurcliff e S.B. Stanley Luz Polarizada. Ed. Reverté.

Laboratory of Quantum Physics:

-Tipler, P. A., Física Moderna. Reverté.
-Krane, K. , Física Moderna. Limusa.
-Eisberg y Resnik, Quantum Physics. Wiley
-Sánchez del Río, C. Física Cuántica. Pirámide.
-Alonso y Finn, Fundamentos Cuánticos y Estadísticos. Fondo Educativo Interamericano.
-Alasdair I.M. Rae, Quantum Mechanics. Adam Hilger.

(Note: this section applies, without further changes, to any of the three teaching scenarios that might be in place due to the spread of the COVID-19 disease).

BASIC AND GENERAL
CB1 - That students demonstrate possessing and understanding knowledge in an area of study that is part of the basis of general secondary education, and is usually found at a level that, although supported by advanced textbooks, also includes some aspects that imply knowledge coming from the vanguard of their field of study.
CB2 - That students know how to apply their knowledge to their work or vocation in a professional manner and possess the skills that are usually demonstrated through the elaboration and defense of arguments and the resolution of problems within their area of ​​ study.
CB3 - That students have the ability to gather and interpret relevant data (usually within their area of ​​ study) to make judgments that include a reflection on relevant issues of social, scientific or ethical nature.
CB4 - That students can transmit information, ideas, problems, and solutions to a specialized and non-specialized public.
CG1 - To possess and understand the most important concepts, methods, and results of the different branches of Physics, with a historical perspective of their development.
CG2 - To have the ability to gather and interpret data, information, and relevant results, obtain conclusions and issue reasoned reports on scientific, technological, or other issues that require the use of knowledge of Physics.
CG3 - To apply both the theoretical and practical knowledge acquired as well as the capacity for analysis and abstraction in the definition and approach of problems and in the search of their solutions both in academic and professional contexts.

TRANSVERSAL
CT1 - Acquire analysis and synthesis capacity.
CT2 - Have the capacity for organization and planning.
CT4 - Being able to work as a team.
CT5 - Develop critical reasoning.
CT6 - Develop creativity, initiative, and entrepreneurial spirit.

SPECIFIC
CE1 - To have a good understanding of the most important physical theories, locating in their logical and mathematical structure, their support experimental and the physical phenomenon that can be described through them.
CE2 - To be able to clearly handle orders of magnitude and make appropriate estimates in order to develop a clear perception of situations that, although physically different, show some analogy, allowing the use of known solutions to new problems.
CE3 - To be familiar with the most important experimental models, also be able to perform experiments independently, as well as describe, analyze, and critically evaluate the experimental data.
CE4 - To be able to compare new experimental data with available models to check its validity and suggest changes that improve the agreement of the models with the data.
CE5 - To be able to perform the essentials of a process or situation and establish a working model of it, as well as perform the required approaches in order to reduce the problem to a manageable level. He will demonstrate critical thinking to build physical models.
CE6 - To understand and master the use of mathematical and numerical methods most commonly used in Physics
CE7 - To be able to use computer tools and develop software programs

By its very nature, this subject is fundamentally practical and, according to the distribution of the credits, the program of the subject is divided into three parts of identical duration: one dedicated to the experimental techniques of Electrodynamics, the other to experimental techniques in Optics and a third dedicated to the experimental techniques of Quantum Physics.

Electrodynamics Laboratory:

Teaching is taught in modules with several groups of up to 3 students per experiment, which can be performed both in the laboratory and on simulators. The teacher explains the different experiments in sessions through Microsoft Teams and throughout the daily session, according to the degree of progress of the work of the different groups. The student must perform them, taking data with the best possible quality, and discussing the results obtained. Subsequently, students must process these data and draw conclusions.

Optics Laboratory:

Before the start of the season, the calendar will be published with the sessions and schedules of each of the groups. Each group will have 6 sessions of 4h in the laboratory. The last session will serve to complete the evaluations; to complete or repeat specific work; and, in addition, each student will be informed of the practice (s) on which they must present a report, as well as the deadline for such presentation. The person (s) in charge of the teaching of the subject will decide which part of the experimental work may be done outside the facilities of the Optics Laboratory, including the realization of field practices, in order to take advantage of the possibilities offered by phenomena of atmospheric optics, optics of urban nights or astronomical optics. The practices of this laboratory will have some scripts that will be available in the virtual classroom.

Quantum Physics Laboratory:

This is a subject to be taught in the laboratory. The teaching is taught in modules of 18 students, divided into groups of 2 students per placement. The sessions will take place during the second semester. After all the experiments, the student will present a summary report.

Given the eminently experimental nature of this subject, for its evaluation, in general, the following aspects will be taken into account:
a) Attendance to the practice sessions.
b) The attitude in the laboratory.
c) Delivery of the work / individual work/laboratory notebook within the indicated period.

These evaluation criteria are generic for the subject, which does not prevent that in the specific ones of any of the laboratories that constitute it, some of them can be eliminated or relaxed according to the teacher in charge or include some more.
To pass this subject, it is necessary to independently pass each of its three parts (Electrodynamics, Optics, and Quantum Physics). The final grade will be the average of the grades obtained in each of the three parts. It is admitted to compensate for the failure in any of the parts, provided that the grade is not less than 4 and that the average of the grades obtained in the three parts is greater than 5 out of 10.
In case of failing this subject in the first call of the course, but with some of its parts passed, the approved part (s) will be retained for the following calls for the same academic year.

With respect to other points, related to the evaluation, not reflected in this program, the general regulations of the Faculty of Physics or of the USC will apply.

Electrodynamics Laboratory:

The presence of the student will be mandatory in the practice sessions. It will be evaluated according to its performance in the laboratory and an oral or written exam, which will take place shortly after the end of all the groups of the practical sessions of this part of the subject. Before the examination is held, it is mandatory to submit a small report or laboratory notebook, with the data obtained and elaborated, with which the relevant results will be extracted and commented. The final grade of this part (with which it will be made average with the corresponding optics and quantum at the end of the course) will be the weighted average of the grade of the continuous assessment (30%) and the one obtained in the exam (70%), provided that the result in the exam is above 4 out of 10.


Optics Laboratory:

Attendance at the sessions is mandatory. In case of absence, this must be duly justified and the student must recover the session.
The delivery of a report within the period indicated by the teacher is mandatory to be able to attend the examination of this part.
The exam will consist of an oral or written test about the experiences developed in the Optics laboratory and related concepts.
The final grade of this part will be the weighted average between the grade reached in the continuous evaluation (60%) and the exam (40%).

Quantum Physics Laboratory:

Attendance at the sessions is mandatory. In case of absence, this must be duly justified and the student must recover the session. The delivery of the internship report within the period indicated by the teacher is compulsory to be able to attend the exam of the subject. The exam will consist of an oral or written test in the case it is performed. The final grade of this part will be the average between the grade reached in the continuous assessment and the exam.

Electrodynamics Laboratory:

It consists of 3 ECTS credits: it corresponds to 28 direct teaching hours, 2 hours of tutoring and 45 hours of personal work of the student.

Optics Laboratory:

It consists of 3 ECTS credits: it corresponds to 28 direct teaching hours, 2 hours of tutoring and 45 hours of personal work of the student.

Quantum Physics Laboratory:

It consists of 3 ECTS credits: it corresponds to 28 direct teaching hours, 2 hours of tutoring and 45 hours of personal work of the student.

It is convenient that, after each session, the student devotes 1 hour to reflect and organize the data taken in the laboratory, and seek the discussion with the teacher to clarify doubts or concepts, if possible, within his/her working group. The time devoted to the presentation of results should not take more than 2 days, avoiding excesses in the quality of the presentation, in which it is customary to waste a lot of time without academic benefits. Before the day of the examination, a review of 2 days should be sufficient, as long as the systematics expressed previously was maintained.