Kenneth G. Libbrecht

Ph 105. Analog Electronics for Physicists. 9 units; first term, 2025-26. Prerequisites: Ph 1 abc, Ma 2, or equivalent. A laboratory course intended for graduate students, it covers the design, construction, and testing of simple, practical analog and interface circuits useful for signal conditioning and experiment control in the laboratory. No prior experience with electronics is required. Students will use operational amplifiers, analog multipliers, diodes, bipolar transistors, and passive circuit elements. Each week includes a 45 minute lecture/recitation and a 2½ hour laboratory. The course culminates in a two-week project of the student's choosing.
Instructors: Rice, Libbrecht

Ph 5. Analog Electronics for Physicists. 9 units (0-5-4); first term, 2025-26. Prerequisites: Ph 1 abc, Ma 1 abc, Ma 2 taken concurrently. A fast-paced laboratory course covering the design, construction, and testing of practical analog and interface circuits, with emphasis on applications of operational amplifiers. No prior experience with electronics is required. Basic linear and nonlinear elements and circuits are studied, including amplifiers, filters, oscillators and other signal conditioning circuits. Each week includes a 45 minute lecture/recitation and a 2½ hour laboratory. The course culminates in a two-week project of the student's choosing.
Instructors: Rice, Libbrecht

Ph 77 abc. Advanced Physics Laboratory. 9 units (0-5-4); first, second, third terms, 2025-26. Prerequisites: Ph 7 or instructor's permission. Advanced preparation for research in experimental physics. Focused "tracks" include: 1) electronic signal acquisition and processing, spectral analysis, feedback control, and practical experience using electronics test equipment; 2) optical techniques including imaging, interferometry, laser frequency stabilization, optical resonators, and LIDAR; 3) atomic processes including optical pumping, nuclear magnetic resonance, and saturated absorption spectroscopy. Tracks may be taken in any order, and each requires one term to complete. Special topics and student-led projects may be available on request.
Instructors: Black, Libbrecht

Ph 78 abc. Senior Thesis (Experiment). 9 units; first, second, third terms, 2025-26. Prerequisites: To register for this course, the student must obtain approval of the chair of the Physics Undergraduate Committee (Ken Libbrecht). Open only to senior physics majors. Experimental research must be supervised by a faculty member, the student's thesis adviser. Two 15-minute presentations to the Physics Undergraduate Committee are required, one near the end of the first term and one near the end of third term. The written thesis must be completed and distributed to the committee one week before the second presentation. Students wishing assistance in finding an adviser and/or a topic for a senior thesis are invited to consult with the chair of the Physics Undergraduate Committee, or any other member of this committee. A grade will not be assigned in Ph 78 until the end of the third term. P grades will be given the first two terms, and then changed at the end of the course to the appropriate letter grade. Not offered on a pass/fail basis.

Ph 79 abc. Senior Thesis (Theory). 9 units; first, second, third terms, 2025-26. Prerequisites: To register for this course, the student must obtain approval of the chair of the Physics Undergraduate Committee (Ken Libbrecht). Open only to senior physics majors. Theoretical research must be supervised by a faculty member, the student's thesis adviser. Two 15-minute presentations to the Physics Undergraduate Committee are required, one near the end of the first term and one near the end of third term. The written thesis must be completed and distributed to the committee one week before the second presentation. Students wishing assistance in finding an adviser and/or a topic for a senior thesis are invited to consult with the chair of the Physics Undergraduate Committee, or any other member of this committee. A grade will not be assigned in Ph 79 until the end of the third term. P grades will be given the first two terms, and then changed at the end of the course to the appropriate letter grade. Not offered on a pass/fail basis.