This course is intended to provide basics of electron microscopy. Topics include: group theory and basics of crystal symmetry; electron diffraction and interpretation of crystal symmetry; wave optics and imaging principle of electron microscopy; high-resolution transmission electron microscopy; analytical electron energy microscopy; and laboratory demonstration of specific topics.

This course serves as an introduction to surface science. Major topics are: vacuum technology, electron-surface interactions, photon-surface interactions, ion-surface interactions, scanning probe microscopy and case studies in surface science.

This is an introductory level course for postgraduate students on various computational techniques and concepts of artificial intelligence adopted in the field of computational physics. This course provides an opportunity for students to learn and apply the artificial intelligence related techniques learned in the lecture to various research related projects. To prepare for this course, students are expected to have taken undergraduate level computational physics (PHYS3061 or equivalent) and have grasped fundamental skills in computer programming. The course will cover random processes, linear and nonlinear regression, clustering, neural network methods, machine learning applications in physics, and other advanced artificial intelligence topics such as Generative AI, large language model, etc. The student is expected to conduct several related programming projects and deliver a final presentation.

Prerequisite: PHYS3061 or PHYS4061 or sufficient programming skills in PYTHON and/or C.

This is a graduate-level introduction to classical mechanics and special relativity for Master of Science students. The course covers: Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulations and applications, relativity and spacetime, and relativistic mechanics. Optional topics include: nonlinear dynamics and chaos, continuum mechanics, and Hamiltonian-Jacobi theory.

This course explores essential concepts and methods of modern quantum mechanics at the postgraduate level for Master of Science students. Topics covered include: Postulates of quantum mechanics, quantum state evolution and quantum measurements, path integral approach, and selected topics in modern applications of quantum mechanics.

This is a graduate level introduction to thermal and statistical physics for Master of Science students. This course intends to cover laws of thermodynamics, statistical basis of thermodynamics, ensemble theory, and Fermi and Bose gases. Optional topics include interacting systems, quantum statistics, non-equilibrium dynamics, and phase transitions.

This graduate level course covers basic principles of electromagnetism for Master of Science students. Topics include: Maxwell’s equations, conservation laws, electromagnetic waves, potential theory, and electromagnetic radiation.

Unlike a course in computer science or programming, this course is intended to provide taught postgraduate students a solid training in the computational techniques for the analysis and modelling of physical systems. It focuses specifically on methods for solving various physics problems. Topics include: basic numerical methods, numerical methods in linear algebra, numerical methods for ordinary and partial differential equations in physics. Students are suggested to have taken at least one course in programming prior this course.

Pre-requisite: A prior programming class or sufficient programming skills in PYTHON and/or C.

Exclusion: Not for students who have taken PHYS4061.

A broad survey of the materials used and the generation, transmission, modulation, detection and harvesting of light by various optoelectronic devices. Emphases are placed on the operational principles and applications of both devices and materials in communications, data processing, light emission, lasing, light control, photovoltaics and photodetection, as well as on related state-of-the-art scientific research.

This course provides an introduction to the working principles and operation techniques of instruments commonly used in experimental physics. Topics covered include: transducers and sensors; signal conditioning, propagation and conversion; noise, signal recovery techniques, computer interface, vacuum techniques, and integrated-circuit instrumentation. This course also includes laboratory experiments for practice and illustration of the subject matter.

Principles and operation of materials characterization techniques with electron sources atom and ion sources, X-ray diffractometry and other techniques. This course also provides experiments on microstructural analysis of materials for practice and illustration of selected subject matters.

This course will discuss various theoretical topics of non-relativistic quantum mechanics at the graduate level. The quantum mechanics of many-body systems will also be introduced. Topics covered include: operator methods in quantum mechanics, addition of angular momenta, variational method, stationary perturbation theory, time-dependent perturbation theory, scattering theory, and introduction to the quantum theory of many-body systems.

This course is intended to provide an introduction to the theory of classical electrodynamics at the graduate level. The emphasis is on the problems of electromagnetic radiation and the covariant formulation of electrodynamics. Selected topics of current research interest will also be discussed.

This course serves as an introduction to the quantum theory of solid state physics at the graduate level. Topics covered include: band theory of electron in a periodic potential, semiclassical theory of electron dynamics, quantum theory of lattice dynamics, electronphonon interaction, transport properties of solids, superconductivity, and selected topics of current research interest.

The aim of this course is to provide students the basic concepts and research methods in soft matter physics. Topics covered include: Structural, thermodynamic and dynamical properties of macromolecules, gels, colloids, amphiphilic molecules, membranes and liquid crystals. Principles for some of the major experimental techniques used in soft matter research will also be discussed. Students who take this course are expected to have a good knowledge of thermodynamics and statistical mechanics.

Principles, instrumentation, experiments and data interpretation of spectroscopy, thermal analysis, microscopy and other instrumentation. Laboratory experiments for practice and illustration of the subject matter.

This course provides an overview of the theory and applications of general relativity. Topics covered include: tensors, metric description of curved spaces, parallel transport and Riemannian geometry, Einstein gravitational field equations, the Schwarzschild solution and classical tests of general relativity, introduction to cosmology, cosmological models, inflation as well as some advanced topics.

This is a graduate course which covers various topics in theoretical astrophysics in one of the following areas: (1) Plasma physics and its applications in astrophysical phenomena, (2) Astroparticle Physics. For area (1), basic concepts in plasma physics such as plasma waves, shocks, MHD instabilities and magnetic reconnection are introduced. In addition, illustrations from astrophysics such as solar flares, cosmic rays, interstellar turbulence, and protostellar disks will be discussed. For area (2), current topics in Astroparticle physics including Big Bang nucleosynthesis, content and dynamics of the Universe, Cosmic rays, Neutrino astrophysics, and Dark matter will be discussed, with emphasis on how fundamental processes at the particle level impact astrophysical and cosmological evolution. In both areas, experimental and observational studies will be discussed in parallel with basic theory.

This course provides an introduction to the basic concepts and applications of quantum information and quantum computation. Topics covered include: key concepts of quantum mechanics, single qubit transformations, quantum circuits, quantum algorithms, quantum communication, and quantum information theory.

This course will discuss various fundamental topics of modern atomic physics at the postgraduate level. The first part of the course focuses on atomic structures, the semi-classical theory of atom-light interactions and their application to the understanding of laser cooling and related topics. The second part is on atom-atom interactions at ultracold temperatures, including its application to evaporative cooling for reaching quantum degeneracy. An advanced topics section is also included to introduce the most recent developments in this field. Students should have undergraduate level Quantum Mechanics before taking this course.

Biophysics investigates biological phenomena using theoretical and experimental approaches derived from physics, such as statistical mechanics, fluid mechanics, and optics. This course provides an introduction to biophysics for postgraduate students with no biology background. Students will be introduced to basic biology and physics concepts relevant to the course, followed by topics including the functions of biomolecules, dynamics of regulatory networks, physics of cellular behavior, and recent development of frontier biophysics techniques. Through this course, students will become familiar with the scope and basic approaches of biophysics research, learn how to perform computer simulations on biomolecules, and develop interest in exploring new territories of biophysics. Students should have undergraduate level thermodynamics and statistical mechanics before taking this course.

This course provides an introduction to the physical properties of thin films as well as the preparation methods. Topics covered include: vacuum science and technology, thin film deposition techniques, growth processes and modes, characterization, epitaxy, lattice engineering, optical and electrical properties of thin films. State-of-the-art scientific research on thin film preparation and properties will also be selectively introduced.

This course discusses the physics of semiconductors and the principles behind selected applications. The physics of the electronic band structures, electrons and holes dynamics, effects of impurities, semiconductor statistics, and lattice vibrations will be discussed, using the technologically important semiconductors such as Si, Ge, and GaAs as examples. Transport properties and optical properties of semiconductors will then be treated. The principles of some common devices based on semiconductors will be introduced. The physics of selected semiconductor heterostructures will also be discussed. Using semiconductors as the context, the students will learn and appreciate how quantum physics, statistical physics, and elementary solid state physics can be applied to understand much of semiconducting materials, which have transformed and will continue to transform technologies and the world.

To study designated sections of textbook, reviews or literature. To make periodical reports to the supervisor.

A project in physics for M.Sc. students. The project provides a challenge for students to apply their knowledge acquired in lecture courses to carry out independent projects. A project report has to be written under the supervision of the teaching staff.

A dissertation in physics for M.Sc. students only. The dissertation provides an opportunity for students to apply their knowledge acquired in lecture courses to carry out independent research. To prepare for this course, students are expected to have taken a Guided Study course or are taking a Guided Study course concurrently on a related topic by the same teaching staff (the supervisor). A combination of the literature review in the guided study and the application of the knowledge learned in the guided study and other lecture courses to investigate related physical problems should be performed. The student should report his/her progress to the supervisor on a regular basis. The dissertation to be written under the guidance of the supervisor is required. An oral presentation should be conducted to a dissertation committee of the supervisor and another invited teaching staff.