Time Schedule:
Eric G Adelberger
PHYS 511
Seattle Campus
Topics of current experimental, theoretical, or technological interest in modern physics. Offered: Sp.
Class description
This seminar class is intended to be different from any other class you have taken. The focus is on key interferometric experiments that established physical principles, provided precise measurements, or illustrated counter-intuitive aspects of quantum-mechanics. Readings are not from texts, but from short, landmark research papers. Topics range from classical interferometry, intensity iterferometry, general relativity, gravitational wave detection, quantum optics, matter wave interferometry to quantum cryptography. Each meeting will focus on a paper and you will given "Questions to Ponder" about the paper. These materials are available from the PHYS511 Web site. Class grades will be based on participation in discussions, weekly short quizes and a final original paper on a relevant topic.
Student learning goals
deepen your theoretical understanding of modern physics by applying your "book learning" to actual experiments
learn about key modern experiments that helped establish our current ideas of physics
learn a bit about basic strategies of doing experiments
learn how to read original research papers
and, hopefully, learn to feel comfortable asking questions in front of others
General method of instruction
This is a seminar in which I hope you learn as much from interacting with your fellow students as you do from me.
Recommended preparation
2 quarters of quantum mechanics and of E&M
Class assignments and grading
see above and the course Web site
see the course Web site
