Note from June 29, 2020
Although we do not yet know how long the social distancing related to the Covid-19 pandemic will last, and regardless of the changes that had to be made in the evaluation of the June 2020 session in relation to what is provided for in this learning unit description, new learnig unit evaluation methods may still be adopted by the teachers; details of these methods have been - or will be - communicated to the students by the teachers, as soon as possible.
Although we do not yet know how long the social distancing related to the Covid-19 pandemic will last, and regardless of the changes that had to be made in the evaluation of the June 2020 session in relation to what is provided for in this learning unit description, new learnig unit evaluation methods may still be adopted by the teachers; details of these methods have been - or will be - communicated to the students by the teachers, as soon as possible.
3 credits
20.0 h + 20.0 h
Q1
Teacher(s)
Charlier Jean-Christophe; Louveaux Jérôme; Oestges Claude;
Language
French
Prerequisites
This course assumes acquired the notions of mathematics and physics such as taught in the courses LEPL1101, LEPL1102, LEPL1105 , LEPL1201 et LEPL1202
The prerequisite(s) for this Teaching Unit (Unité d’enseignement – UE) for the programmes/courses that offer this Teaching Unit are specified at the end of this sheet.
The prerequisite(s) for this Teaching Unit (Unité d’enseignement – UE) for the programmes/courses that offer this Teaching Unit are specified at the end of this sheet.
Main themes
The course deals with wave physics, with a special emphasis on electromagnetic waves. It starts by writing Maxwell's equations, followed by a derivation of the wave equation from Maxwell's equations or from classical mechanics, and discusses its general solutions. The characteristics of simple waves are presented (frequency, wavelength, Doppler effect, polarisation,...). The behaviour of waves at the interface between two systems is then studied (Snell's and Fresnel's equations). Interference phenomena, including diffraction, are presented for local point and extended sources. Standing waves are then considered, as well as wave packets. The generation of electromagnetic waves is finally discussed (antennas and oscillating dipoles).
The second part of the course is an introduction to quantum physics: based on the notion of waves, it seeks to show the continuity and radical novelty of quantum physics compared to classical physics. It presents the limits of classical physics and the answer brought by quantum physics (wave-particle duality, Heisenberg uncertainty principle, Schrödinger equation), based on the concepts seen in the first part. It shows the interest of quantum physics in solving simple problems, and ends with a brief justification of the properties of atoms (hydrogen atom), providing a link to the notion of orbital necessary to understand chemistry and that of band structure used in solid-state physics.
The second part of the course is an introduction to quantum physics: based on the notion of waves, it seeks to show the continuity and radical novelty of quantum physics compared to classical physics. It presents the limits of classical physics and the answer brought by quantum physics (wave-particle duality, Heisenberg uncertainty principle, Schrödinger equation), based on the concepts seen in the first part. It shows the interest of quantum physics in solving simple problems, and ends with a brief justification of the properties of atoms (hydrogen atom), providing a link to the notion of orbital necessary to understand chemistry and that of band structure used in solid-state physics.
Content
Waves
1.1. Displacement current' integrated approach of electromagnetism
1.2. Maxwell's equations and the wave equation
1.3. Solutions to the wave equation; mechanical waves
1.4. Polarization; reflection et refraction
1.5. Interferences
1.6. Diffraction
1.7. Standing waves and wave packets
1.8. Electromagnetic radiation and antennas
Quantum Physics
2.1 Wave-particle duality, Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle
2.2 Schrödinger's equation and wave function
2.3. Quantum particles, potential wells and the tunneling effect
2.4. Hydrogen atom model and crystal band structure
1.1. Displacement current' integrated approach of electromagnetism
1.2. Maxwell's equations and the wave equation
1.3. Solutions to the wave equation; mechanical waves
1.4. Polarization; reflection et refraction
1.5. Interferences
1.6. Diffraction
1.7. Standing waves and wave packets
1.8. Electromagnetic radiation and antennas
Quantum Physics
2.1 Wave-particle duality, Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle
2.2 Schrödinger's equation and wave function
2.3. Quantum particles, potential wells and the tunneling effect
2.4. Hydrogen atom model and crystal band structure
Teaching methods
Lectures (CM).
Learning based on exercises (APE), problems (APP) or laboratory (LABO) work by groups of students.
Learning based on exercises (APE), problems (APP) or laboratory (LABO) work by groups of students.
Evaluation methods
Evaluation is based upon:
- a written exam at the end of the quadrimester
- the mandatory participation to the laboratories
- a mid-quadrimester interrogation (non necessarily certificative)
- a public presentation by the students of their group work (APP or LABO) is also organized at the start of some lectures.
Online resources
Moodle: https://moodleucl.uclouvain.be/course/view.php?id=7223
Faculty or entity
BTCI
