Physics of Materials and Biomaterials

Fundamentals of Quantum Mechanics Inadequacy of classical mechanics, de-Broglie concept of matter waves, Davisson and Germer experiment, wave packet, phase velocity, group velocity, Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle and its applications, time-dependent and time-independent Schrodinger wave equations, particle confined in one dimensional box, wave function and its physical interpretation.

Physical Properties of Materials and Surface Physics Atomic structure and bonding (ionic, covalent, metallic), types of crystal structures (BCC, FCC, HCP), lattice parameters, amorphous structures, mechanical properties (stress, strain, elasticity, viscoelasticity), surface energy, wettability, contact angle, adhesion and cohesion.

Dielectric and Magnetic Materials Dielectric materials: Dielectrics, dielectric constant, electric displacement and polarization vectors, electric susceptibility, polarization mechanism, applications of dielectric materials. Magnetic Materials: Magnetic susceptibility, dia-, para-, ferro- materials, hysteresis loss, coercivity, remanence, importance of hysteresis curve, applications of magnetic materials.

Photonics Fiber optics: Fundamental idea about optical fiber, acceptance angle, acceptance cone, numerical aperture, principle of light propagation in optical fiber, attenuation and attenuation coefficient in fibre. Laser: Interaction of radiation with matter (absorption, spontaneous and stimulated emission), principle of laser operation, Einstein’s coefficients, Ruby laser, He-Ne laser, laser applications.

Superconductivity and Nano-materials Superconductors: Temperature dependence of resistivity and critical field in superconducting materials, Meissner effect, Type I and Type II superconductors, persistent current, high temperature superconductors, properties, applications in biotechnology. Nano-materials: Introduction and properties of nano-materials, basic concept of quantum dots, quantum wires and quantum well, application of nano-materials.