Engineering Physics

Course Objectives:
To teach students basic concepts and principles of physics, relate them to laboratory experiments and their applications.

Prerequisite Courses, if any:
Fundamentals of: optics, interference, diffraction polarization, wave-particle duality, semiconductors and magnetism.

Course Outcomes:
On completion of the course, the learner will be able to–
CO1: Develop an understanding of interference, diffraction, and polarization; connect it to few engineering applications.
CO2: Learn the basics of lasers and optical fibers and their use in some applications.
CO3: Understand concepts and principles in quantum mechanics. Relate them to some applications.
CO4: Understand the theory of semiconductors and their applications in some semiconductor devices.
CO5: Summarize the basics of magnetism and superconductivity. Explore a few of their technological applications.
CO6: Comprehend use of concepts of physics for Non-Destructive Testing. Learn some properties of nanomaterials and their application.

Unit I Wave Optics

Interference

• Introduction to electromagnetic waves and electromagnetic spectrum

• Interference in a thin film of uniform thickness (with derivation)

• Interference in thin-film wedge shape (qualitative)

• Applications of interference: testing optical flatness, anti-reflection coating Diffraction

• Diffraction of light

• Diffraction at a single slit, conditions for principal maxima and minima, the diffraction pattern

• A diffraction grating, conditions for principal maxima and minima starting from resultant amplitude equations, diffraction pattern.

• Rayleigh’s criterion for resolution, resolving power of telescope and grating

• Polarization

• Polarization of light, Malus law

• Double refraction, Huygen’s theory of double refraction

• Applications of polarization: LCD
  

Unit II Laser and Optic Fibre Laser

• Basics of laser and its mechanism, characteristics of laser

• Semiconductor laser: Single Hetro-junction laser

• Gas laser: CO2 laser

• Applications of lasers: Holography, IT, industrial, medical, Optic Fiber

• Introduction, parameters: Acceptance Angle, Acceptance Cone, Numerical Aperture

• Types of optical fiber- step index and graded index

• Attenuation and reasons for losses in optic fibers (qualitative)

• Communication system: basic building blocks

• Advantages of optical fiber communication over conventional methods.
  

Unit III Quantum Mechanics

• De-Broglie hypothesis

• Concept of phase velocity and group velocity (qualitative)

• Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle

• Wave-function and its physical significance

• Schrodinger’s equations: time-independent and time-dependent

• Application of Schrodinger’s time-independent wave equation

• Particle enclosed in infinitely deep potential well (Particle in RigidBox)

• Particle in Finite potential well (Particle in Non Rigid box) (qualitative)

• Tunneling effect, Tunneling effect examples (principle only): Alpha Decay,

• Scanning Tunneling Microscope, Tunnel diode

• Introduction to quantum computing

Unit IV Semiconductor Physics

• Free electron theory (Qualitative) solids

• Opening of bandgap due to internal electron diffraction due to lattice Band theory of solids.

• The effective mass of electron Density of states

• Fermi Dirac distribution function

• The conductivity of conductors and semiconductors

• Position of Fermi level in intrinsic and extrinsic semiconductors (with derivations
  based on carrier concentration)

• Working of PN junction on the basis of the band diagram

• Expression for barrier potential (derivation)

• Ideal diode equation

• Applications of PN junction diode: Solar cell (basic principle with band diagram) IV characteristics and Parameters, ways of improving the efficiency of solar cell

• Hall effect: Derivation for Hall voltage, Hall coefficient, applications of Hall effect

Unit V Magnetism and Superconductivity Magnetism

• Magnetism

• Origin of magnetism

• Classification of magnetism on the basis of permeability (qualitative)

• Applications of magnetic devices: transformer cores, magnetic storage, magneto-optical recording.

• Superconductivity

• Introduction to superconductivity; Properties of superconductors: zero electrical resistance, critical magnetic field, persistent current, Meissner effect

• Type I and Type II superconductors

• Low and high-temperature superconductors (introduction and qualitative)

• AC/DC Josephson effect; SQUID: basic construction and principle of working; Applications of SQUID

• Applications of superconductors
  

Unit VI Non-Destructive Testing and Nanotechnology

• Non Destructive Testing

• Classification of Non-destructive testing methods

• Principles of physics in Non-destructive Testing

• Advantages of Non-destructive testing methods

• Acoustic Emission Testing

• Ultrasonic (thickness measurement, flaw detection)

• Radiography testing Nanotechnology

• Introduction to nanotechnology

• Quantum confinement and surface to volume ratio

• Properties of nanoparticles: optical, electrical, mechanical

• Applications of nanoparticles: Medical (targeted drug delivery), electronics, space and defense, automobile.