L3 - Physics and Applications (PA)

Practical work in various fields of physics.

The topics covered include the study of mechanical oscillating systems (simple pendulum, torsion pendulum, coupled pendulums), acoustic waves, some concepts of wave optics (diffraction and interference), the practical application of electronic circuits for the study of electrical components or systems (diodes, LEDs and photodiodes, transmission lines), and the study of some properties of matter (magnetism, photoelectric effect, Faraday effect).

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Introduction to the synthesis of chemical elements in the Universe (Big Bang, stars)

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This course is an optional course that introduces the concepts of physics used in nanoscience and nanotechnology. It will give students a better understanding of the specific phenomena associated with the nanoscale. It also includes an introduction to the four types of microscopy used to observe and measure at this scale: AFM, STM, SEM, TEM.

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This optional course focuses on solving physics problems using computers. It includes the use of Python for scientific programming, with a particular focus on visualization and animation. It offers an introduction to the possibilities offered by computational physics through various simulations (FDTD simulation of 1D electromagnetic wave propagation, etc.).

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The course aims to provide a general introduction to physics in relation to the biological sciences and to contextualize the use of modern physics concepts, methods, and approaches to describe biological systems and their complexity from the molecular to the cellular level. It is therefore necessary to understand the central role that physics has played for a century now in order to learn the principles of the organization and dynamics of living and complex matter (from cells to populations of individuals). At the same time, it is important to understand that biological systems represent a new opportunity for physicists to learn more about the complexity of living matter and its capacity for self-organization, regulation, and control, with an eye toward new biomimetic applications.

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Learning analog and digital electronics.

For the analog portion, instruction is based on the study and application of the main components of electronics: diodes, transistors, and operational amplifiers.

For the digital part, the basics of sequential logic will be covered.

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At the beginning of this course, we will review the concepts of light rays and the conditions for approximation in geometric optics, as well as the concepts of wave physics that are important for physical optics.

Then, based on the scalar approximation of light waves, a special case of electromagnetic waves, we will describe light sources, interference phenomena with 2 waves, N waves, and then diffraction in the Fraunhofer approximation.

We will continue by studying various widely used physical systems, focusing on their resolution power and applications: microscope, astronomical telescope, Michelson interferometer, grating spectrometer, Fabry-Pérot interferometer.

Finally, we will conclude with the concepts of spatial coherence and temporal coherence of light sources and their use (stellar interferometry, speckle, etc.).

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This course is a simplified introduction to quantum physics.
We will begin by providing a historical overview of the beginnings of quantum mechanics: atomic emission line spectrum, black body radiation (we will see the logic behind this name), photoelectric effect, etc.
A simplified presentation of Fourier transforms will help us understand the link between spectral line width and temporal evolution,
and later on, Heisenberg's inequalities.
A significant part of the course will be devoted to matter waves, through Schrödinger's equation, in very simple specific cases.
Finally, we will conclude with some aspects of magnetism (necessarily quantum).

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Statistical physics is one of the fundamental branches of modern physics which, through its probabilistic approach, establishes relationships between the microscopic and the macroscopic. It deals with the evolution of systems with a very large number of particles (atoms, molecules, photons, etc.) and links macroscopic quantities such as pressure, temperature, etc., which characterize their state of thermodynamic equilibrium, to quantities that define the microscopic state of their constituents. This introductory course in statistical physics will cover microcanonical and canonical ensembles and will establish the link between the partition function and thermodynamic quantities such as average energy, pressure, temperature, and entropy. These results will be illustrated using ideal gases and a few simple quantum systems.     

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This EU consists of two blocks of 18 hours each (9 hours of lectures + 9 hours of tutorials).

For the first "acoustics" section, after establishing the equation for the propagation of mechanical vibrations in an infinite medium, plane wave solutions will be presented. The focus will then shift to the concept of scalar potential. Spherical wave solutions will be discussed. A large part will be devoted to the concept of acoustic impedance. Energy aspects will also be addressed. Various applications (particularly ultrasonic) will be discussed.

The second "thermal" block of the EU consists of studying the heat transport properties in solids and fluids in steady state (independent of time). We first define the diffusive and convective heat transfer regimes and introduce Fourier's equation, which links heat flow to temperature variation via thermal conductivity or the conductive-convective coefficient. We then establish the heat propagation equation, which we apply to simple cases involving walls and pipes. We then review the main laws describing heat transfer by radiation (Planck's law, Stefan-Boltzmann law) and study the case of radiative flux between two bodies under total influence. All of this knowledge will be used to perform the heat balance of homogeneous or composite walls, building models, bars, and fins. We will also discuss the case of heat exchangers.

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This course includes an upgrade and deepening of programming techniques as well as an introduction to computational physics. We will begin with a review of procedural programming using the Python 3 language. We will then present the use of numerical methods relevant to simulation and the resolution of physical problems.

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This course builds on the teachings of point dynamics and rigid body dynamics from the first and second years. It covers elements of continuum mechanics, mainly within the limits of small deformations, linear elasticity, viscoelasticity, and viscosity. The emphasis is on simple cases and common applications.

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The supervised project is an experimental or digital simulation project carried out in groups of three students. It takes place in a practical work room, on one of the many physics and chemistry topics offered. It introduces students to the project approach and draws on their creativity, initiative, independence, and rigor in conducting experiments. The project concludes with a report and a defense, which are submitted for peer review and then evaluated by a jury.

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This course unit consists of two parts. The first part focuses more specifically on Dirac formalism in quantum mechanics, with illustrations in the case of the 1D harmonic oscillator and angular momentum, particularly for spin. The second part is an introduction to the use of quantum mechanics in the field of solid-state physics through its application to semiconductors.

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Classification of solids. Crystal structures. Energy bands. Metals. Semiconductors. Insulators. Electrical, dielectric, and magnetic properties.

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Study of the basic principles of nuclear physics with a view to practical applications in everyday life. This course aims to provide the basic elements of nuclear physics and then present applications of radioactivity and nuclear energy in industry (nuclear reactor physics, fuels), medicine (nuclear imaging), and radiation protection (measuring devices, units, etc.).

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Practical work and application of analog and digital electronics in connection with EU HLPH507.

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