| Paper | Text / Ref. Books | Syllabus |
Electromagnetism | (1) D J Griffiths Introduction to Electrodynamics (4th Edition) | Vector Analysis (Ch 1.1-1.5); Curvilinear Coordinates. Electrostatics (Ch 2 and 3.4); Electric Fields in Matter (Ch 4.1-4.3 and 4.4.1); Magnetostatics (Ch 5); Magnetic Fields in Matter (Ch 6); Boundary value problems in Electrostatics and Magnetostatics. Green functions for the Laplacian operator in various coordinate systems for various Boundary conditions. Time dependent fields and Electromagnetic Induction. Electrodynamics (Ch 7); Maxwell's equations. Electromagnetic potentials, Gauge Invariance, The Coulomb and Lorentz Gauges. Propagation of Electromagnetic Waves in dielectric and conducting media.(9.2). Poynting's theorem, and conservation of energy and momentum in electromagnetism. Fresnel relations for reflection and refraction of electromagnetic waves at a plane interface between two dielectric media. | |
| (2) Reitz & Millford, (3) Panofsky & Phillips. (4) Electrodynamics by J.D. Jackson. | |
Quantum Physics | (1) D J Griffiths, Intro to QM, 2nd edition | Old Quantum Theory, De-Broglie waves, Planck's equation E = h nu, Bohr-Sommerfeld Quantisation rule. Bohr's theory of the Hydrogen atom. Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle. Franck-Hertz, Davission-Germer and the Stern-Gerlach experiments. Formalism (Ch 3), Wave function and its properties (Ch 1), Time dependent and Time independent Schroedinger Equation. The Continuity Equation, Ehrenfest's theorem. Non-Commuting operators and the Uncertainty Principle, Energy eigenvalue problems in 1-d (Ch 2), Potential Barriers and scattering, Angular momentum and spin (Ch 4, section 3,4), Energy eigenvalue problems in 3-d: a) the spherical well, b) 3-d isotropic SHO, c) The Hydrogen Atom. Operator formalism, creation and destruction operators for the 1d- Harmonic Oscillator. | |
| (2) R Shankar, (3) Merzbacher, (4) Schiff, (5) Cohen-Tannoudji. | |
Thermal and Statistical Physics | (1) Thermodynamics, Kinetic Theory and Statistical Thermodynamics by Sears and Salinger. (2) Statistical Mechanics by Kerson Huang. | Thermodynamics, Equation of state, Heat , Work and Temperature. Zeroth, First, and second Laws of Thermodynamics. Clausius inequality, and calculation of changes in entropy. The d-slash Q Equations and the TdS equations. Legendre Transformations and the Thermodynamic Potentials, Maxwell's Relations. Statistical basis of thermodynamics (Ch 1); Classical statistical mechanics: Introduction to statistical approach; Ensembles; Microcanonical ensemble; Maxwell Boltzmann distribution; Canonical Ensemble; Grand Canonical Ensemble (Chs 2, 3, and 4); Quantum Statistics: Identical particles; Microcanonical ensemble; Fermi and Bose statistics; | |
| (3) Statistical Mechanics by Pathria. | |
Classical Mechanics | (1) Classical Mechanics: Goldstien, Safko and Poole, | Variational principles, Principle of virtual work, Holonomic and non-Holonomic Constraints, actual and virtual displacements, Cartesian and generalised coordinates. Forces of Constraint, Velocity dependent Forces, and the generalised potential. Euler-Lagrange equations of motion (Ch 2); The Central force problem (Ch 3); Small Oscillations (Ch 6); Hamilton's equations of motion (Ch 8); Canonical transformation (Ch 9); Non-inertial frames of reference and fictitious forces. Accelerated frames of reference. Coriolis and Centrifugal Forces. Rigid Body dynamics. The spherically symmetric top. Connection between symmetries and conservation laws. | |
| (2) Classical Mechanics by Rana & Jog; (3) Classical Mechanics by Michele Calkin | |
Astronomy and Astrophysics | 1.Astrophysics for physicists by
Arnab Rai Choudhuri (ARC)
| Topics from ARC:
Distances, Masses and Time scales,Brightness, Flux and Luminosity, distance modulus, aparent magnitude, optical, radio and X-ray astronomy (ch 1), Interaction of radiation with matter - radiative transfer equation, optical depth, Thermodynamic equilibrium (ch 2), Stellar astrophysics I: hydrostatic equillibrium, virial theorem, energy transport inside stars, stellar models, stellar quantities - mass-luminosity relations, HR-diagram, red giants, white dwarf (ch 3), Stellar astrophysics II: nuclear reaction rates, nuclear reactions in stellar (ch 4), End states of stellar collapse: degeneracy pressure of a Fermi gas, white dwarf, Chandrasekhar limit, neutron star, Pulsars: binary pulsar and tesing GTR (ch 5)
Topics from IGNOU material:
Star formation: Jean's criteria, Protostar and Main sequence, Supernovae, dark matter, rotation curve. | |
| 2. IGNOU Study material | |
General Theory of Relativity and Cosmology | (1) A short course in General Relativity, Foster & Nightingale | Vector and tensor field(Ch 1), Spacetime of GTR, Geodesics, Parallel transport, Absolute derivatives,Covariant derivative, Gravitational potentials and Newton's law of gravitation(Ch 2), Riemann tensor, Ricci tensor and Ricci scalar and their properties, parallel transport, Einstein field equation, the Schwarzschild solution (Ch 3), FRW metric and cosmology(Ch 6) | |
| (2) Spacetime and Geometry-An Introduction to General Relativity -Sean M Carroll | |
| Quantum Field Theory | Quantum Field Theory - Mandl and Shaw | Classical Field Theory (Action Principle, Lagrangian and Hamiltonian dynamics, Symmetries and Conservation Laws); Canonical Quantisation; Real and Complex Scalar Field; The Dirac Field; The Vector Field; The S-matrix; Feynman Diagrams and Rules; Processes to Lowest order | |
Particle Physics | (1) Modern Particle Physics by
Mark Thompson(MT) | Fundamental particles and forces, Natural units; collider accelerators, (Ch 1), review of non-relativistic quantum mechanics and special relativity(Ch 2), Fermi’s golden rule, phase space, particle decays, cross sections, relativistic kinematics(Ch 3), Klein-Gordon equation, Dirac equation and their solutions(Ch 4), Feynman diagrams and virtual particles, introduction to QED, Feynman rules for QED(Ch 5), electron-positron annihilation of MT(Ch 6 - helicity basis calculation) or Ch 6 of HM(normal techniques)),Neutrino oscillations(Ch 13), electron-
Gauge symmetries( section 14.1 to 14.3 of H M) | |
| (2) Quarks and Leptons: Halzen and Martin, (3) Introduction to Elementary Particle Physcis: D J Griffiths | |
| Nuclear Physics | Introductory Nuclear Physics - Kenneth S. Krane, Wiley India Edition | Basic Concepts, Nuclear Properties & Force (Ch 1, 3 & 4), Nuclear Model (Liquid drop & Shell model, Ch 5), Nuclear decay (Alpha, beta, Gamma; Ch 8, 9 &10) | |
Advanced Quantum Physics | (1) Modern Quantum Mechanics by Sakurai and Napolitano; | Symmetry in Quantum Mechanics (ch 4), Time independent perturbation theory, time dependent perturbation theory, Zeeman effect, Transition probability, constant and harmonic perturbation, Absorption and stimulated emission decay width (ch 5), Identical particles (sections 6.1 and 6.2 of ch 6),
Lippmann-Schwinger equation,Born approximation,optical theorem, Partial wave analysis (ch 7) of Sakurai.
Relativistic QM (Special Relativity, KG equation and it's solution, Dirac equation and it's solution (rest frame, lab frame), Maxwell's equation (free photon solution), spin, parity, time-reversal and charge-conjugation (H M: Quarks and Leptons..(e.g.) | |
| (2) Quantum Mechanic by D J Griffith. (3) For Relativistic QM: (a) Quarks & Leptons, An introductory course in Modern Particle Physics by Halzen & Martin or (b) Modern Particle Physics by Mark Thompson(MT) | |
Solid State Physics | (1) C Kittel Introduction to Solid State Physics | Basic Crystal Structure: crystal structure, indexing system, reciprocal lattice, diffraction condition, structure factor (Ch 1, Ch 2); Lattice dynamics: phonons, phonon heat capacity, density of states, Einstein and Debye Model, Thermal conductivity (Ch 4, Ch 5); Band structure: Free electron gas, heat capacity, Thermal and electrical conductivity, Hall effect, nearly free electron model, Bloch functions, Kronig-Penney Model, band gap, equation of motion, Fermi surface (Ch 6 to Ch 9); Magnetism: Diamagnetism, Paramagnetism, Ferromagnetism, Antiferromagnetism (Ch 11, Ch12). | |
| (2) N W Ashcroft and N D Mermin, Solid State Physics, Thomson (1976). (3) M A Wahab Solid State Physics, Structure and Properties of Materials, 2nd ed, Narosa (2005) | |
| Soft Condensed Matter Physics | (1) Soft Condensed Matter by R. A. L. Jones (RALJ), (2) Intermolecular and surface forces by Jacob N. Israelachvili (JNI), (3) An introduction to polymer physics by David I. Bower (DIB) | 1. Intermolecular forces: Van der Waals forces-Debye, Keesom and London forces, Hamaker constant, Entropic forces (Ch 4.3.1, 4.3.2 of RALJ, Ch 4.7, 4.8, 5.1, 5.2 and 11.1 of JNI) 2. Viscoelastic materials: Shear thinning and shear thickening, creep and stress relaxation behaviors, dynamic response, rheometers (Ch 5.5.1 RALJ, Ch 7.1-7.4 DIB) 3. Glasses: Vogel-Fulcher equation, microscopic picture, kinetics (Ch 2.4 RALJ) 4. Polymers: The freely jointed chain, Flory model, good, bad and theta solvent, Kuhn length and persistence length, polymers at interfaces (Ch 5 RALJ) 5. Colloids: Brownian motion, DLVO theory, depletion interactions, stabilisation of colloids, light scattering experiments, self-assembled structures. (Ch 4 RALJ) 6. Supramolecular self-assembly: Bilayers, micelles and surfactants (Ch 9 RALJ) 7. Liquid crystals: phases, nematic/isotropic transition, defects, electrical and magnetic properties (Ch 7 RALJ). | |
Semiconductor Physics | (1) Physics of Semiconductor Devices by J. P. Colinge & C. A. Colinge | Doping in semiconductor, Carrier transport, Generation / Recombination Phenomena, Semiconductor growth process and characterisation, Device building blocks- p-n Junctions, Metal-semiconductor contacts, Metal – Insulator - Semiconductor capacitors, JFET, MESFET, MOSFET, Hetero-junction Devices, Photonic Devices, Quantum effect devices, SET, Tunnelling transport, Spintronics - Semiconductor and Spin Physics | |
| (2) The Physics of Low-dimensional Semiconductors by J. H. Davis (3) Semiconductor Physics and Devices by D. A. Neamen (4) Semiconductor Devices, Physics & Technology by S. M. Sze | |
| Non Equilibrium Statistical Mechanics | Elements of Nonequilibrium Statistical Mechanics, V. Balakrishnan | Langevin equation (Ch 2); Fluctuation-dissipation relation (Ch 3); Velocity autocorrelation (Ch 4); Markov process (Ch 5); Fokker-Planck equation (Ch 6); Diffusion (Ch 7 & 8); Brownian motion (Chs 9, 10, 11 ); Diffusion in an external potential (Ch 13); Linear response theory (Appendix I) | |
| Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos | Nonlinear Dynamics &Chaos, Steven Strogatz | Bifurcations in 1-D systems (Ch-3), Stability, phase potraits in 2-D systems (Ch 5-6), Nonlinear center - conservative & Reversible systems (Ch-6), Index theory (Ch-6), Limit cycles (Ch-7), Local & global bifurcations in 2-D systems (Ch-8), Chaos in flows (Ch-9), 1-D Maps(Ch-10), Fractals (Ch-11), Strange attractors (Ch-12) | |
| Advanced Nonlinear Dynamics | Chaos in Dynamical Systems, Edward Ott(EO) ; Chaos and nonlinear dynamics , Hilborn(H); Nonlinear dynamics and chaos, Steven Strogatz(SS) | Computation of Lyapunov exponents (Sec 4.4 EO) ; Fractal basin boundary; Crisis (Sec 5.1-5.3 EO); Quasiperiodicity and mode locking (Ch 6 EO, Ch 6 H); Chaos in Hamiltonian systems (Ch 7 EO); Universality - Feigenbaum constant, etc (Appendix F in H, Sec 9.4 H; Perturbation approach (Multuple time scale, Poincare-Lindest, Signular peturbation) (Sec 7.6 SS) | |
Classical Optics | (1) Optics, Ajoy Ghatak, 7th Edition, Tata Mcgraw Hill (2021) | Electromagnetic Waves (Ch 22), Reflection and refraction of e-m waves (Ch 22), Group velocity and pulse dispersion, Chirped pulse amplification (Ch 11), Superposition of waves and interference ((Ch 12-15), Coherence (Ch 16), Fraunhofer diffraction (Ch 17-18), Fresnel diffraction (Ch 19), Polarisation and Double Refraction (Ch 21), Lasers (Ch 27) | |
| (2) Optics, Eugene Hecht, 4ed, 2002 | |
| Quantum Optics | Introductory Quantum Optics, Gerry and Knight, CUP | EM Field Quantisation (Ch 2),Coherent States (Ch 3),Atom-field interactions, Rabi model, Jaynes-Cummings model (Ch 4, sec 1-5), Quantum Coherence (Ch 5), Non classical light (Ch 7), Beam-splitters and interferometers: Single photon experiments (Ch 6) | |
| Topics in Nonlinear Optics | 1) Nonlinear Optics by R.W. Boyd, Elsevier; 2) Lasers and nonlinear optics by B.B. Laud, New Age International (India). | Lorentz model, properties of tensor elements; Second order processes, phase matching in crystals; Third order processes (third harmonic generation, phase conjugation, Kerr effect, self-phase modulation, Raman effect, Stimulated Raman scattering (Stokes / anti-Stokes), Stimulated Brillouin scattering); Light interaction with plasma (waves in plasmas, Landau damping, absorption of light by inverse Bremsstrahlung, resonance absorption, two plasmon absorption, parametric decay, stimulated Raman scattering, stimulated Brillouin scattering); above threshold ionisation, odd harmonic generation, optical field ionisation, Coulomb explosion; Applications : Holography (low intensity), optical solitons (medium intensity), inertial confinement fusion (high intensity) and acceleration of charged particles with light (ultra-high intensity).
| |
Laser Physics | 1. Laser Physics, S. Hooker and C. Webb, Oxford Univ. ; 2. Laser Fundamentals, W. T. Silfvast, Cambridge University. | 1) Laser science: Laser basics, theory of radiation, longitudinal modes, theory of optical resonators, transverse modes, properties of laser beams, Line broadening mechanisms.; 2) Laser technology: Laser optics, transient behaviour, mode locking, laser amplifiers; 3) Physics of various lasers: Masers, solid state lasers, semiconductor lasers, fibre lasers. liquid (dye) lasers, gas lasers, x-ray lasers, free electron laser. | |
| 1) Lasers: Theory and Applications, K. Thyagarajan and A. K. Ghatak, Macmillan, India. 2) Optical Electronics, A. K. Ghatak and K. Thyagarajan, Cambridge Univ. | |
| Foundation of Quantum Physics | Quantum Theory: Concepts and Methods, Asher Peres | Randomness in quantum theory, meaning of measurement (Ch 1), Quantum tests and inference (Ch 2), Quantum Mechanics and complex vector spaces, mixed states (Ch 3), Composite systems: Correlations, Partial trace, Schmidt decomposition (Ch 5, sec 1-4), Bell's Theorem (Ch 6), Contextuality (Ch 7) Information and Thermodynamics (Ch 9), Measurement (ch 12) | |
| Quantum Information and Computation | (1) Quantum Physics and Information Processing, Radhika Vathsan, CRC Press 2015; (2) Quantum computation and quantum Information, M A Nielsen and I Chuang | Basic properties of finite dimensional quantum systems (Ch 3), Qubits and illustration using spin-half (Ch 2), Bloch sphere representation and other properties including entanglement, EPR and Bell's theorem (Ch 4), Mixed states and open quantum systems (Ch 5), Quantum gates and circuits (Ch 7), Simple quantum Algorithms: Deutsch-Josza, Simon, QFT, Period-finding, Shor Algorithm, Grover Algorithm (Ch 8) , Quantum communication: Key distribution and teleportation (Ch 9) , Simple ideas of Quantum Error correction (Ch 10). |