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1. demonstrate an understanding of the propagation of light through paraxial optical systems and interferometers
2. demonstrate an understanding of the polarisation of light and changes to the polarisation state as it propagates through optical systems;
3. describe the structure of and bonding in crystalline solids, the nearly-free-electron model and band theory;
4. demonstrate an understanding of doped semiconductors and abrupt PN semiconductor junctions
5. solve simple physics problems at a level appropriate to the course content;
6. make appropriate decisions about the experimental uncertainty associated with every measurement, and analyse uncertainties correctly;
7. keep a scientific record of experimental work;
8. analyse the results of experiments and reach appropriate conclusions about them;
9. work effectively in a small team to complete a complex set of tasks.
10. communicate results orally and in writing

Serway, R.A., Moses, C.J. and Moyer, C.A., Modern Physics (3rd ed.) (Thomson)

Pedrotti F.L., Pedrotti L.M. and Pedrotti L.S., Introduction to Optics (3rd ed.) (Prentice Hall)

Kittel C., Introduction to Solid State Physics (Wiley)

Sreetman B.G. and Banerjee S., Solid State Electronics Devices (Pearson)

Bernstein, J., Fishbane, P. M. and Gasiorowicz, S. Modern Physics (Prentice Hall)

Fowles, G., R. Introduction to Modern Optics (2nd ed.) (Dover)

MyUni: Teaching materials and course documentation will be posted on the MyUni website ().

This course will be delivered by the following means:

• Lectures 30 x 50-minute sessions with up to three sessions per week
• Tutorials 11 x 50-minute sessions with one session per week
• Practicals 6 x 4-hour sessions with one session per week for 6 weeks

A student enrolled in a 3 unit course, such as this, should expect to spend, on average 12 hours per week on the studies required. This includes both the formal contact time required to the course (e.g., lectures and practicals), as well as non-contact time (e.g., reading and revision).

The course content will include the following:

Coursework Content

• Geometric Optics (14 lectures)
  • Ray tracing, ABCD transfer matrices and Cardinal points in paraxial optical systems
  • Aberration theory and wave-front distortion in optical systems
  • Interference, Michelson, Mach-Zehnder and Fabry-Perot interferometers. , thin-film interference, multilayer dielectric coatings, antireflection coatings
  • Polarization, Jones vectors and Jones matrices
• Condensed Matter (16 lectures)
  • Crystal Structure; lattices, cubic crystal structure.
  • Atomic vibrations in crystals, phonons, transport properties.
  • Free-electron theory of metals.
  • Nearly-free-electron model of semiconductors; energy band structure and band-gaps; metals, semiconductors and insulators; direct and indirect band-gaps.
  • Doped semiconductors, abrupt PN junctions, PN diodes.
• Practical work (6 sessions)
  Experiments carried out in groups of two students, selected from
  • Cardinal points of a lens system
  • Holography
  • Polarization of light
  • Curie temperature
  • Thermal diffusivity of copper
  • Exponential decay and luminescence in solids
  • X-ray diffraction

To obtain a grade of Pass or better in this course, a student must maintain a suitable logbook for at least 5 practical sessions during the semester, attend the examination and achieve at least 40% in the final exam.

Tests
2 x 50 minute, closed book tests taken during the semester, which have a formative and summative role and address essential aspects of the learning objectives for Optics and Condensed Matter Physics. The combined mark for both tests can contribute up to 13% to the final assessment; poor performance may be partly redeemed by superior performance in the final exam.

Tutorial preparation
To maximise the benefit of tutorials, students are required to submit their answers before or at the tutorial. Assessment is based on effort rather than correctness; this task has a formative and summative role. It can contribute up to 10% to the final assessment; poor performance may be partly redeemed by superior performance in the final exam.

Final exam
This summative assessment activity comprehensively addresses learning objectives 1 – 10.

Practical work (Practical achievement and practical reports)
Students work on an experiment until it is completed and they have an adequate report in their log book. Demonstrators provide formative assessment as the students are doing each experiment. Each student then selects one completed experiment and writes an extended lab report. The log book and report are assessed summatively. An opportunity to make-up a maximum of one missed practical session may be offered at the end of the semester.

Submission of Assigned Work
Coversheets must be completed and attached to all submitted work. Coversheets can be obtained from the School Office (room G33 Physics) or from MyUNI. Work should be submitted via the assignment drop box at the School Office.

Extensions for Assessment Tasks
Extensions of deadlines for assessment tasks may be allowed for reasonable causes. Such situations would include compassionate and medical grounds of the severity that would justify the awarding of a replacement examination. Evidence for the grounds must be provided when an extension is requested. Students are required to apply for an extension to the Course Coordinator before the assessment task is due. Extensions will not be provided on the grounds of poor prioritising of time. 

Late submission of assessments
If an extension is not applied for, or not granted then a penalty for late submission will apply. A penalty of 10% of the value of the assignment for each calendar day that is late (i.e. weekends count as 2 days), up to a maximum of 50% of the available marks will be applied. This means that an assignment that is 5 days or more late without an approved extension can only receive a maximum of 50% of the mark.