Engineering Physics

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• Overview

  Prerequisite Courses

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

  Companion Course

  • Laboratory Practical

  Course Objectives

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

  Course Outcomes

  On completion of the course, learner will be able to– 

  • Develop understanding of interference, diffraction and polarization; connect it to few engineering applications. 
  • Learn basics of lasers and optical fibers and their use in some applications. 
  • Understand concepts and principles in quantum mechanics. Relate them to some applications. 
  • Understand theory of semiconductors and their applications in some semiconductor devices. 
  • Summarize basics of magnetism and superconductivity. Explore few of their technological applications. 
  • Comprehend use of concepts of physics for Non Destructive Testing. Learn some properties of nano-materials and their application.

• Syllabus and Notes

• 

  Unit 1

  

  Unit 2

  

  Unit 3

  

  Unit 4

  

  Unit 5

  

  Unit 6

  Unit 1

  ×

  Wave Optics

  Interference

  • Introduction to electromagnetic waves and electromagnetic spectrum 
  • Interference in 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, diffraction pattern 
  • 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

  Close

  Unit 2

  ×

  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.

  Close

  Unit 3

  ×

  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

  Close

  Unit 4

  ×

  Semiconductor Physics

  • Free electron theory (Qualitative) 
  • Opening of band gap due to internal electron diffraction due to lattice Band theory of solids 
  • Effective mass of electron Density of states 
  • Fermi Dirac distribution function 
  • 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 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 efficiency of solar cell 
  • Hall effect: Derivation for Hall voltage, Hall coefficient, applications of Hall effect

  Close

  Unit 5

  ×

  Magnetism and Superconductivity

  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

  Close

  Unit 6

  ×

  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

  Close
• Labs and Practicals

  Practicals

  Suggested List of Laboratory Experiments (Any eight):

  1. Experiment based on Newton’s rings (determination of wavelength of monochromatic light, determine radius of curvature of plano-convex lens) 
  2. To determine position of diffraction minima by studying diffraction at a single slit 
  3. To determine unknown wavelength by using plane diffraction grating 
  4. To find out Resolving power of Diffraction Grating/Telescope 
  5. To verify Malus Law 
  6. Any experiment based on Double Refraction (Determination of refractive indices, identification of types of crystal) 
  7. Any Experiment based on Laser (Thickness of wire, determination of number of lines on grating surface) 
  8. An experiment based on optic fibers 
  9. To study IV characteristics of Solar Cell and determine parameters (fill factor and efficiency) 
  10. To determine band gap of given semiconductor 
  11. To determine Hall coefficient and charge carrier density 
  12. Temperature dependence characteristics of semiconductor laser 
  13. To find out Magnetic susceptibility of given material 
  14. Ultrasonic Interferometer: Determination of velocity of ultrasonic waves in given liquid and find its compressibility

  Suggested Demonstration Experiments:

  1. Michelson interferometer 
  2. Half shade Polarimeter 
  3. Determination of absorption coefficient of sound of given material 
  4. Temperature dependence 
  5. Brewster’s law 
  6. Measurement of sound pressure level

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