Physics Details of Courses

January 2019

1 Course code PHY320

2 Course Title Physics Lab V
3 Credits 4 (BS-MS), 4 (iPHD)
4 Course Coordinator & Shivprasad Patil (coordinator), Arijit Bhattacharyay
participating faculty(if
any)
5 Nature of Course L&P- Lectures & Lab sessions

6 Pre requisites(if any) 3rd Year BS-MS and 1st year Integrated PhD
7 Objectives (goals, type of This lab course offers some interesting experiments that a
students for whom useful, student frequently comes across during the lecture courses
outcome etc) in advanced electrodynamics and basic quantum physics.
These experiments illustrate physics of the electromagnetic
radiation, their propagation, and interaction with matter. The
experiments are aimed to illustrate the quantum nature of
interactions at the subatomic scales.
8 Course contents  At least 7 of the following experiments are to be
completed:
 Ionic conductivity
 Magnetic Susceptibility measurement by Gouy's method
 Skin depth measurement
 Faraday effect
 Generation and transmission of Electromagnetic waves
(Lecher Wire)
 Constant deviation spectrometer
 Blackbody radiation
 Franck Hertz experiment
 Determination of ionization potential
9 Evaluation /assessment a. End-sem Examination - 30%
evaluation components b. Mid-sem Examination- 20%
with weightage c. Continuous Evaluations & Lab Records for Each
Experiment - 50%
10 Suggested reading Text Book(s)
1. The Art of Experimental Physics: D.W. Preston and
E.R. Dietz (1991), John Wiley.
2. An introduction to Error Analysis, John R. Taylor,
University Science Books.
3. Advanced Practical Physics: B.L. Worsnop and H.T.
Flint, Asia Publishing House
4. Analytical Experimental Physics: M. Ference Jr.,
H.B. Lemon and R. J. Stephenson (1970) University
of Chicago Press.
 5. The Art of Electronics: P. Horowitz and W. Hill
(1989) 2nd edition, Cambridge University Press.

1 Course code PHY 321/613

2 Course Title Quantum Mechanics II
3 Credits 4 (BS-MS), 4 (iPHD), 4 (PHD)
4 Course Coordinator & Deepak Dhar
participating faculty(if
any)
5 Nature of Course L-lectures alone

6 Pre requisites(if any) Quantum Mechanics I (PHY 313)

7 Objectives (goals, type of The course will cover standard but relatively advanced
students for whom useful, topics that are required for every physicist.
outcome etc)

8 Course contents Symmetries of quantum systems (4); Angular momentum

(section wise listing of (5), Addition of angular momenta (3); Approximation
topics with no. of lectures methods: Variational (3) and WKB methods (3); Time-
for each) independent (4) and time-dependent perturbation theory
(4); Scattering theory (5); Relativistic quantum mechanics
(5); Landau levels (2); Coherent states (2).

Total about 40 lectures.

9 Evaluation /assessment  End-sem examination- 40%

evaluation components  Mid-sem examination- 30%
with weightage  Quiz- 30%
10 Suggested reading  Quantum Mechanics: Vol I and 2, C. Cohen-Tannoudji,
B. Diu and R. Laloe (2005) John Wiley and Sons
 Modern Quantum Mechanics: J.J. Sakurai (2009)
Revised edition, Addison Wesley
 Principles of Quantum Mechanics: R. Shankar (2010)
2nd edition, Springer
 Introduction to Quantum Mechanics: D.J. Griffiths
(2004) 2nd edition, Addison-Wesley

1 Course code PHY322

2 Course Title Statistical Mechanics I
3 Credits 4 (BS-MS), 4 (iPHD)
4 Course Coordinator & Bijay Agarwalla
participating faculty(if
any)
5 Nature of Course L&T- Lectures & Tutorials

6 Pre requisites(if any) Basic working knowledge in classical and quantum

mechanics
7 Objectives (goals, type of Objectives: The objective of this course is to introduce the
students for whom useful, microscopic formulation of thermodynamics for both
outcome etc) classical and quantum systems.
Outcomes: Upon completion of the course, the students
should have a clear understanding about the basic
principles governing statistical mechanics, and the
connection with macroscopic thermodynamics. Students
should also be able to use these ideas to calculate
statistical properties of simple systems.
8 Course contents Review of Classical Thermodynamics: Laws of
Thermodynamics, Heat engines, Carnot Efficiency,
Maxwell relations, Stability conditions [4 lectures]
Probability, Random variables, Central limit theorem, laws
of large numbers, Principle of Statistical Mechanics:
Ergodic hypothesis, postulate of equal apriori probability,
phase space, Liouville’s theorem, BBGKY Hierarchy,
Boltzman equation, H theorem [10 lectures]
Three ensembles: Microcanonical Ensemble, Canonical
Ensemble, Grand Canonical Ensemble, fluctuations, [8
lectures]
Examples: Ideal gas, Mixing entropy, Classical spins,
Paramagnetism, Ferromagnetism, Curie’s law, Interacting
particles, Cumulant Expansion, Cluster expansion [8
lectures]
Quantum Statistical Mechanics: density matrix, Liouville
equation, Ensembles, Quantum Ideal gas, Bose and Fermi
statistics, Black-body radiation, vibrations of a solid, Bose
Einstein Condensation [8 lectures]
9 Evaluation /assessment  End-sem examination- 30%
evaluation components  Mid-sem examination- 30%
with weightage  Continuous assessment - 20%
 Quiz - 20%

10 Suggested reading [1] Statistical Physics of Particles: Mehran Kardar (2007)

Cambridge University Press
[2] Statistical Mechanics : R. K. Pathria (1996) 2nd Edition,
Butterworth-Heinemann
[3] Statistical Mechanics: K. Huang (1987) 2nd Edition,
Wiley
[4] Fundamental of Statistical and Thermal Physics: F. Reif
(2008) Waveband Pr Inc

1 Course code PHY356

2 Course Title Group Theory in Physics
3 Credits 3 (BS-MS), 3 (iPHD)
4 Course Coordinator Sudarshan Ananth
5 Nature of Course L-lectures alone

6 Pre requisites(if any) None

7 Objectives (goals, type of This course will explain the role of symmetries in physics. It
students for whom useful, is important for students who plan to work in theoretical
outcome etc) physics. It should also prove useful to students studying any
subject/topic that is related to symmetries.
8 Course contents Discrete symmetries: around 1 month
Continuous symmetries – U(1), SO(2), SO(3), Parameter
spaces, Noether’s theorem: 1 month
SU(2) in detail, SU(3), spinors, applications to particle
physics: 1 month
Group theory of relativity: around 1 month
9 Evaluation /assessment
evaluation components a. End-sem examination: 30%
with weightage b. Mid-sem examination: 30%
Assignments (two): 40%
10 Suggested reading 1. Lie Algebras in Particle Physics, H. Georgi,
Westview Press, 2e, 1999.
2. Mathematical Methods for Physicists, G. Arfken and
H. Weber, Academic Press, 4e, 1995.

1 Course code PHY420/623

2 Course Title Atomic and Molecular Physics

3 Credits 4 (BS-MS), 4 (iPHD), 4 (PHD)

4 Course Coordinator T.S. Mahesh

5 Nature of Course L-lecture alone

6 Pre requisites (if any) Quantum Mechanics II, Statistical Mechanics I,

Electrodynamics

7 Objectives (goals, type of A formal introduction to atoms, molecules, and their

students for whom useful, interactions with one another as well as with electric,
outcome etc) magnetic, and electromagnetic fields. Experiments
supporting theoretical concepts will be highlighted
throughout. Applying theoretical concepts via solving
problems is emphasized.
8 Course contents 3 to 5 lectures on:
1. Experiments leading to the concept of atoms, molecules,
and their structure
2. Quantum theory of single-electron atoms
 3. Single-electron atoms in electromagnetic fields, fine and
hyperfine structures, Stark effect, Zeeman effect
4. Quantum theory of two-electron atoms, influence of
orbital and spin angular momenta; their excited states
5. Quantum theory of multi-electron atoms, central field
approximation, periodic table, Thomas-Fermi and
Hartree-Fock models, L-S and J-J coupling
6. Interaction of atoms with electromagnetic radiation,
dipole approximation, oscillator strengths
7. Masers and Lasers, Einstein coefficients, atom optics,
trapping atoms and ions, laser cooling, BEC, atomic
clocks
8. Electron-Atom, Ion-Atom, Atom-Atom Scattering
9. Molecules, Born-Oppenheimer approximation, diatomic
molecules and their energy levels, polyatomic molecules
and their structure.
10. Electronic, vibrational, and rotational degrees of
freedom; optical, infrared, Raman, microwave, and
magnetic resonance spectroscopies.
9 Evaluation /assessment  Quizzes 30 %
 Mid-sem exam 35 %
 End-sem exam 35 %

10 Suggested reading 1. Physics of Atoms and Molecules, B H Bransden and C

J Jochain, Pearson International (2011) 2/e
2. Atoms Molecules and Photons, W Demtroder, Springer
(2010) 2/e
3. Atoms, Molecules, and Lasers, K P R Nair, Narosa
(2006)

1 Course code PHY428

2 Course Title Advanced Optics
3 Credits 4 (BS-MS), 4(iPHD), 4 (PHD)
4 Course Coordinator Shouvik Datta
5 Nature of Course L- lectures alone

6 Pre requisites Electrodynamics I, Quantum Mechanics I

7 Objectives (goals, type of Objectives: To introduce Basic and Advanced aspects of
students for whom useful, Classical and Quantum Optics through critical conceptual
outcome etc) questions, problem solving and finally to connect these with
research level topics.
Outcomes: Students will be ready to comprehend
contemporary research problems and journal papers in
Photonics, Quantum Optics, Cavity Quantum
Electrodynamics and Quantum Information science etc.
8 Course contents Classical Optics: (Before MidSem)
 Fermat Principle & Ray Optics
Wave Optics and Wave Guides
Optical Cavity & Lasing
Beam Shaping, Spin and Angular Momentum of Light
Fourier Optics
Interferometry and Coherence
Non-linear Optics
Quantum Optics: (After MidSem)
Photon Statistics & Optical Shot Noise
Photon Bunching and Anti-Bunching
Coherent States and Squeezed Light
Atom-Photon Interactions - Bloch Sphere
Atom-Cavity Coupling – Strong and Weak
Photon BEC & Quantum Polaritonics!
Entangled States
9 Evaluation /assessment End-sem examination- 30% (On Topics Covered After
Mid-sem)
Mid-sem examination- 30% (On Topics Covered Up to
Mid-sem)
Homeworks/Continuous Assessments- 10%
Paper Reading and Presentation-10%
Quiz- 10% + 10%
10 Suggested readings Text Books:
Principles of Optics, M.Born and E.Wolf.
Introduction to Optics, Pedrotti & Pedrotti & Pedrotti
Optics, Eugene Hecht.
Quantum Optics, Mark Fox.
Fundamental of Photonics, B.E.A. Saleh and M.C. Teich.
Quantum Optics, Girish Agarwal.
Quantum Optics, M. Scully.
Principles of Nano-Optics, Novotny & Hecht
The Quantum Theory of Light, R Loudon.
Additional Reading Materials and/or relevant Journal
Papers will be suggested during the course work.

1 Course code PHY422/PHY622

2 Course Title Nuclear and Particle Physics
3 Credits 4 (BS-MS), 4 (iPHD), 4 (PHD)
4 Course Coordinator Arun M. Thalapillil
5 Nature of Course LT-Lecture and tutorial

6 Pre requisites(if any) Quantum Mechanics II (PHY 322); Classical

Electrodynamics (PHY 312)
7 Objectives The course will focus on basic concepts in particle and
nuclear physics. The principal audience is intended to be
advanced undergraduate and Ph.D/IPh.D students, seeking
an introduction to the fundamental constituents of matter
and their interactions. The course should serve as a fair
prelude to an advanced course on the Standard Model of
particle physics and gauge theories.

8 Course contents Historical introduction, Classification of fundamental

particles, Relativistic kinematics, Interactions and particle
dynamics, Symmetries and invariance principles, Bound
States and the Quark model, Neutrinos, Neutral kaon
system, Higgs mechanism, High energy physics
experiments, Nuclear models.

9 Evaluation /assessment  End-sem examination- 30%

 Mid-sem examination- 30%
 Quizzes - 40%
10 Suggested readings Recommended Book(s)
 Introduction to Elementary Particles, D. Griffiths
(Wiley)
 Particle Physics, B. R. Martin and G. Shaw
(Wiley)
 An Introduction to Nuclear Physics, W. M.
Cottingham and D. A. Greenwood (Cambridge)

1 Course code PHY430

2 Course Title Physics Lab VII

3 Credits 3

Course Coordinator &

4 Sunil Nair (coordinator), Seema Sharma, Surjeet Singh
participating faculty

5 Nature of Course P-Lab alone

Basic knowledge in atomic physics, solid state physics and

6 Pre requisites(if any)
statistical mechanics

Objectives (goals, type of

7 students for whom useful, Introduction to advanced experiments in atomic physics,
solid state physics, interaction of radiation with matter.
outcome etc)

 Zeeman Effect
Course contents
 γ-Ray Spectroscopy
8
 Scanning Tunneling Microscopy
 Compton Scattering
 X-ray Diffraction
  Rutherford Scattering
 Thermoluminescence
 Superconductivity
 Molecular Spectroscopy

End-sem examination- 30%

Evaluation /assessment
Mid-sem examination- 30%
9 evaluation components
Skill evaluation – 10% (awarded at the time of experiments
with weightage, performed by students)
Lab records – 30%
Text Book(s)
1. Analytical Experimental Physics, Michael Ference Jr.,
Harvey B. Lemon and Reginald J. Stephenson, University
10 Suggested reading of Chicago Press, 1970
2. The art of experimental Physics, Daryl W. Preston and
Eric R. Dietz, John Wiley 1991

1 Course code PHY350

2 Course Title Electronics II
3 Credits 3 (BS-MS), 3 (iPHD), 4 (PHD)
Course Coordinator &
4 participating faculty(if Aparna Deshpande
any)
Nature of Course
(Please keep the LP – Lecture and Lab
5
appropriate one only)

6 Pre requisites(if any) Electronics I

This course aims at providing a basic understanding of
Objectives (goals, type of digital circuit elements and their functioning, and some
7 students for whom useful, conceptual study of microcontrollers. It will be interspersed
outcome etc) with some lab sessions for working with digital circuits.

Course contents 1. Digital electronics

8
2. Microcontrollers

Evaluation /assessment  End-sem examination- 30%

9 evaluation components  Mid-sem examination- 30%
with weightage  Quiz- before mid sem 20% and after mid sem 20%
Text Book(s)
“Digital Principles and Applications” by Leach,
10 Suggested reading
Malvino, Saha . McGraw Hill Education (India)
Private Limited; Eighth edition (21 August 2014)
1 Course code PHY351

2 Course Title Gravitation and Cosmology

3 Credits 3
4 Course Coordinator Suneeta Vardarajan
5 Nature of course L – Lectures alone
6 Pre requisites Good background in calculus, should have done some
course on mathematical methods that discusses
differential equations (e.g., IDC course) Special relativity
will be reviewed briefly, but familiarity with it is useful.
7 Objectives (goals, type of Goals: The main goal of the course is to give an
students for whom useful, introduction to Einstein’s theory of general relativity (GR)
outcome etc) which replaces the Newtonian view of gravitation. We will
discuss how this theory predicts results such as the
precession of planetary orbits accurately (which Newtonian
gravity does not). The ultimate fate of stars, and even the
ultimate fate of our universe are questions that have been
addressed in this theory. We will discuss cosmology, black
holes, and if time permits, gravitational waves. We will also
discuss the experimental verification of some of the
predictions of GR and the exciting (unsolved) research
questions that have arisen from this theory.
8 Course contents Brief review of special relativity (max. 2 lectures),
Equivalence principle and motivation for geometric view of
gravity, some tools from differential geometry that are
needed (manifolds, tensors , metric, curvature), Einstein
equation, Geometry outside a spherical star, geodesic
equation, predictions of Einstein equation for orbits around
the star, Precession of mercury perihelion . Black holes.
Introduction to cosmology, Friedmann metric. If time
permits, one or two lectures on gravitational waves.
9 Evaluation /assessment a. End-sem examination- 35%
(evaluation components b. Mid-sem examination-35%
with weightage,) c. Quiz-10%
d. Viva for Project (advanced general relativity topic)-
20%
(for Ph.D students for whom this course has extra credits,
the project will be worth 15% and an additional 5% will be
for assignments)

10 Suggested readings Text Book(s)

Material for the course will be from various
sources. However, two useful books are:
1. Spacetime and Geometry: An introduction to general
relativity by Sean Carroll, Pearson Education.
2. Gravity: An introduction to Einstein’s General Relativity,
by James Hartle, Pearson Education. Available in Indian
Edition.
1 Course code PHY 465/665
2 Course Title Physics of Soft Matter
3 Credits 3
4 Course Coordinator & Apratim Chatterji (coordinator), Vijayakumar
participating faculty Chikkadi
5 Nature of Course L- lectures alone and few tutorials.
6 Pre requisites(if any) Statistical Physics-1
7 Objectives & Soft matter is the physics of macromolecules and it is
Outcomes (goals, all around us: inside living matter, polymeric materials,
students for whom nano-composites, liquid crystals (LCD displays), smart
offered, outcomes materials with tunable properties. The aim is to use
etc) statistical mechanics to understand the generic
properties (statistical physics) of long-chain
molecules such as polymers. Outcomes: The topics
covered will lay the foundations to enable to read
papers and work in the rapidly growing research area
of soft matter. The labs of IISER interested in soft
matter are those of AC, S.Patil, V. Chikkady, G.V.
Pavan Kumar. There are a 5 groups in IITB Physics,
and many labs in Chem.Eng-IITB on Soft Matter.
8 Course contents Part A. Polymer Static and Dynamics: Apratim
Chatterji
January-March-25 (16-18 lectures)
(1) Molecular weight distributions, Molar mass
distributions
(2) Radius of Ideal chains (random walk model) vs.
Real chains with Excluded volume.
(3) Semiflexible (Rigid Polymers).
(4) Solvent properties: Polymers in Good/Bad/Theta
solvents
(5) Flory Theory, and Flory Huggins Theory.
(6) Blob picture of Semidilute polymers vs. Dilute
polymers & Dense polymers (Melts)
(7) Polymers within confining walls.
(8) Entropic origins of rubber elasticity of un-
entangled/ entangled polymers. (Why is a higher force
needed to stretch a rubber at higher temperatures)
(9) Polymers with cross-links (Networks and Gels).
(10) Linear Visco-elastic reponse of polymeric
materials.
(11) Polymer Dynamics: Rouse model of dilute
polymers, Zimm Model (with hydrodyamics), Reptation
in melts.
Part B. Colloidal (Brownian) Particles by Vijay
Chikkadi
(end-March to April-20) (6-7 lectures)
(1) Intermolecular forces between uncharged
Particles: Induced dipole and dispersion forces.
(2) Screened Coulomb interactions between charged
particles
 (3) DLVO Theory, Hamakers constants
(4) Depletion Interactions.
(5) Colloidal Phase diagram.
The necessary stat-mech needed to appreciate the
above topics: Random walks, Fluctuation dissipation
theorem, Stokes einstein relation etc., fluid physics will
be covered.
9 Evaluation /assessment End-sem examination- 30%
evaluation Mid-sem examination- 30%
components with Quiz-1 (end Aug): 20%
weightage, Quiz-2 (end Oct): 20%
110 Suggested readings Text Book: Polymer Physics
Michael Rubinstein and Ralph H. Colby,
Oxford University Press. Some papers will be
suggested in class.
Popular books: Soft Machines (nanotechnology and
life) by R.A.L. Jones. Oxford publications.

1 Course code PHY463 / PHY658

2 Course Title Advanced Condensed Matter Physics

3 Credits 3 (BS-MS), 3 (iPHD), 4 (PHD)

4 Course Coordinator Mukul Kabir (coordinator), Sreejith G.J.

5 Nature of Course L- lectures alone

PhD Students: There will be extra term-paper
/project/presentation/self-reading on various advanced
condensed matter topics
BS-MS and iPhD students: No such term paper /project
/presentation/self-reading. Encouraged to attend such
extra sessions.

6 Pre requisites Condensed Matter Physics I (BS-MS students), Quantum

Mechanics

7 Objectives This course will cover topics on interacting many-body

phenomena, and is intended to build a strong foundation in
CMP for those who are interested in theoretical,
experimental, and computational research in the area.
Lecture notes will be provided for most of the topics.

8 Course contents Section #1: Interacting electrons – 6

Topics: Many-body problem, Hartree-Fock approximation
in first and second quantization, Brief overview on Density
Functional Theory and beyond.
Section #2: Linear response theory - 4
 Topics: Introduction to interaction (Dirac) picture,
fluctuation-dissipation theorem, Scattering, F-sum rule,
Kubo formula for conductivity.
Section #3: Magnetism: - 10
Topics: Hubbard model, Local moment formation,
exchange interaction, Band magnetism - Stoner theory,
spin density wave, Anderson model, Kondo impurity
problem
Section #4: Fermi liquid theory - 5
Topics: Electron spectral function, Quasi-particles and
Landau interaction parameter
Section #5: Superconductivity - 7
Topics: Landau diamagnetism, London equation,
Ginzburg-Landau theory, vortices, Type II superconductor,
BCS theory and BdG Hamiltonian.
9 Evaluation /assessment PhD students (PHY658):
a. Quiz + Assignment + Term Paper/Project: 40%
b. Mid-sem Exam: 30%
c. End-Sem Exam: 30%
BS-MS and iPhD students (PHY463):
a. Quiz + Assignment: 40%
b. Mid-sem Exam: 30%
c. End-Sem Exam: 30%
10 Suggested readings Text books:
1. Advanced Solid State Physics, Phillip Phillips
2. Theory of Quantum liquid, Pines and Nozieres,
Westview Press
3. Theory of Superconductivity. J. Robert Schrieffer,
Westview Press
4. Superconductivity of Metals and Alloys, P. G. De
Gennes

1 Course code PHY 557/657

2 Course Title Quantum Field Theory II

3 Credits 3 (BS-MS), 3 (iPHD), 4 (PHD)

Course Coordinator &

4 participating faculty(if Sunil Mukhi
any)

L-lecture alone
5 Nature of Course

Statistical Mechanics I and II, and Quantum Field Theory I.

6 Pre requisites(if any)
(equivalent self-study may be considered)
 To train students in the common themes that underlie
contemporary theoretical research in particle physics and
Objectives (goals, type of
7 condensed matter physics. The outcome will be an
students for whom useful)
understanding of the Renormalisation Group and its
profound impact on physics.

Path integrals for quantum mechanics and QFT, including

finite temperature case, fermions, gauge theory (9)
Course contents Loop diagrams, renormalisation, beta-function (7)
8 Spin systems, critical exponents (3)
Symmetries, spontaneous symmetry breaking, effective
action (3)
Wilsonian Renormalisation Group (4)
End-sem examination - 30%
Evaluation /assessment
9 evaluation components Mid-sem examination - 30%
with weightage. Term paper and presentation - 40%

Text Book(s)
An Introduction to Quantum Field Theory – Peskin and
Schroeder
10 Suggested readings Statistical Field Theory – David Tong (available online)
Quantum Field Theory and The Standard Model – Matt
Schwartz
Review articles by Kogut-Wilson, Wilson, selected
research papers.