Applied Physics
- M.S. and Ph.D. Program in Applied Physics
- Plasma Physics Concentration
- Solid-State and Optical Physics Concentration
M.S. and Ph.D. Program in Applied Physics
Admission
A bachelor's or master's degree in engineering, mathematics, or one of the physical sciences is required for admission.
M.S. Program in Applied Physics
The program of study leading to the degree of master of science, while emphasizing continued work in basic physics, permits many options in several applied physics specialties. The program may be considered simply as additional education in areas beyond the bachelor's level, or as preparatory to doctoral studies in the applied physics fields of plasma physics, laser physics, solid-state physics, and applied mathematics. Specific course requirements for the master's degree are determined in consultation with the program adviser.
Ph.D. and Eng.Sc.D. Programs
After completing the M.S. program in applied physics, doctoral students specialize in one applied physics field. Some programs have specific course requirements for the doctorate; elective courses are determined in consultation with the program advisor. Successful completion of an approved 30-point program of study is required in addition to successful completion of a written qualifying examination taken after two semesters of graduate study. An oral examination, taken within one year of the written qualifying examination, and a thesis proposal examination, taken within two years after the written qualifying examination, are required of all doctoral candidates. Ph.D. candidates must also submit an approved dissertation, and complete the University residence requirements.
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Plasma Physics Concentration
This academic program is designed to emphasize preparation for professional careers in plasma research, controlled fusion, and space research. This includes basic training in relevant areas of applied physics, with emphasis on plasma physics and related areas leading to extensive experimental and theoretical research in the Columbia University Plasma Physics Laboratory. Specific course requirements for the plasma physics doctoral program are APPH E4018, E4200, E4300, E6101, E6102, and E9142 or E9143, or equivalents taken at another university.
Core Courses
- APPH E4018: Applied physics laboratory
- APPH E4100: Quantum physics of matter
- APPH E4112: Laser physics
- APPH E4200: Physics of fluids
- APPH E4300: Applied electrodynamics
- APPH E4301: Introduction to plasma physics
- APPH E6101: Plasma physics I
- APPH E6102: Plasma physics II
- APPH E9142-E9143: Applied physics seminar
- APAM E6650: Research project
- APMA E4200: Partial differential equations
- CHEM G4230: Statistical thermodynamics
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ELEN E6403 or PHYS G6092-G6093: Electromagnetic theory
- PHYS G4003: Advanced mechanics
Related Courses of Specialization
- APPH E4110: Modern optics
- APPH E6110: Laser interactions with matter
- APPH E4010: Introduction to nuclear science
- APMA E4204: Functions of a complex variable
- APMA E6209: Approximation theory
- APMA E6301: Analytic methods for PDE's
- APMA E6302: Numerical methods for PDE's
- APMA E6304: Integral analysis of transforms
- APMA E6901: Special topics in applied math
- APMA E8308: Asymptotic methods in applied math
- ASTR G400: Stellar structure and evolution
- ASTR G4002: Astrophysics II
- ELEN E4405: Classical nonlinear optics
- ELEN E4420: Topics in electromagnetics
- ELEN E4501: Electromagnetic devices and energy conversion
- PHYS G4019: Mathematical methods in physics
- PHYS G6036: Statistical mechanics
- PHYS G6037-G6038: Quantum mechanics
Plasma Physics Faculty
Michael E. Mauel (Coordinator)
Allen H. Boozer
Gerald A. Navratil
Thomas S. Pedersen
Amiya K. Sen - EE and APAM
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Solid-State and Optical Physics Concentration
Columbia's program in solid-state physics spans a wide range of experimental and theoretical fields, including nanocrystals, electronic transport in molecular nanostructures, optical spectroscopy, and fabrication of semiconductors; semiconductor superlattices; high-temperature superconductors; low-temperature, laser-assisted methods of integrated circuit processing; surface and interface physics; solid state physics at high pressure and defects. In many of these endeavors the program maintains close ties with the Columbia NSF Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC), the Columbia Center for Integrated Science and Engineering, the Columbia NSF Center for Electronic Transport in Molecular Nanostructures (Nanocenter), and the Interdepartmental Committee on Materials Science and Engineering/Solid State Science and Engineering. Columbia's program in optical physics emphasizes both theoretical and experimental studies of lasers and laser applications within applied physics and related disciplines. Areas of interest include laser spectroscopy; laser-assisted diagnostics and modifications in semiconductor processing; free electron lasers; inelastic light scattering; optical communication; and quantum optics. In several of these endeavors the program maintains close ties with the Columbia Center for Integrated Science and Engineering.
Core Courses
- APPH E4018: Applied physics laboratory
- APPH E4100: Quantum physics of matter
- APPH E4110: Modern optics
- APPH E4112: Laser physics
- APPH E6081-6082: Solid state physics, I, II
- APPH E6110: Laser interactions with matter
- APAM E6650: Research project
- CHAP E4120: Statistical mechanic or
- CHEM G4230: Statistical thermodynamics
- ELEN E4301: Introduction to semiconductor devices
- ELEN E4405: Classical nonlinear optics
- ELEN E4411: Fundamentals of photonics
- ELEN E6331-6332: Principles of semiconductor physics, I, II
- ELEN E6403 or PHYS G6092-6093: Electromagnetic theory
- ELEN E6412: Lightwave devices
- ELEN E9402: Seminar in quantum electronics
- ELEN E9403: Seminar in photonics
- MSAE E6220: Crystal physics
- MSAE E6241: Theory of solids
- PHYS G4018: Physics of the solid state
- PHYS G4019: Mathematical methods in physics
- PHYS G6036: Statistical mechanics
- PHYS G6037-6038: Quantum mechanics
Related Courses of Specialization
- APMA E4204: Functions of a complex variable
- APMA E6301: Analytic methods for PDE's
- APMA E6302: Numerical analysis of PDE's
- CHEM G4230: Statistical thermodynamics
- CHEM G4231: Chemical kinetics
- CHEM G6222: Quantum chemistry, II
- CHEM G8223: Quantum chemistry, III
- ELEN E4401: Wave transmission and fiber optics
- ELEN E4944: Principles of device microfabrication
- ELEN E6140: Gallium arsenide materials processing
- ELEN E6151: Surface physics and analysis of electronic materials
- ELEN E6331-6332: Principles of semiconductor physics
- ELEN E6413: Lightwave systems
- ELEN E6414: Photonic integrated circuits
- ELEN E9101: Seminar in physical electronics
- ELEN E9402: Seminar in quantum electronics
- ELEN E9404: Seminar in lightwave communications
- MSAE E6090: Nanotechnology
- MSAE E6221: Introduction to dislocation theory
- MSAE E6225: Techniques in x-ray and neutron diffraction
- MSAE E6229: Energy and particle beam processing of materials
- MSAE E6230: Kinetics of phase transformations
- MSAE E6240: Impurities and defects in semiconductor materials
- MSAE E6251: Thin films and layers
- MSAE E8235: Selected topics in materials science
- MSAE E8236: Anelastic relaxations in crystals
- PHYS G8048: Adv. quantum mechanics, II
- PHYS G8050: Adv. mathematical methods in physics
- PHYS G8066: Theoretical solid state physics, I
Solid State Faculty
Aron Pinczuk, Physics and APAM (Coordinator)
Siu-Wai Chan
Irving P. Herman
Gertrude Neumark
I.C. Noyan
Richard M. Osgood, EE and APAM
Horst Stormer, Physics and APAM
Latha Venkataraman
Wen I. Wang, EE and APAM
Solid State Faculty in Other Departments
Louis Brus, Chemistry
Kenneth Eisenthal, Chemistry
George Flynn, Chemistry
Richard Friesner, Chemistry
Tony Heinz, Physics and EE
Philip Kim, Physics
Yasutomo Uemura, Physics
James Valentini, Chemistry
Chee Wei Wong, Mechanical Engineering