Physics 122: Experimental Techniques

Fall Term, 2019

Class meets TTh 9:30 to 10:50 AM, Solis 111.
The lab session formally meets Wednesday: 2:00 to 5:50 PM in MHA 3544/3574
See the Academic Calendar for information on class dates and holidays.

Course Outline (PDF)

Lectures

Assignments

Lab Information

Exam Study Guide


Professor and Teaching Assistant Contact Info

Professor:

Tom Murphy
SERF Buliding (930), Room 336, 534-1844
tmurphy@physics.ucsd.edu
Office hours: Tuesday 3–4 PM
Office hours also by appointment (e-mail, phone, personal, drop by)

Teaching Assistants:

Natalie Agre
nagre@ucsd.edu
Office: will use MHA 3544 (lab) as office
Office hours: Monday 3:00–4:30 PM
Office hours also by appointment
Adrian Wong
asw012@ucsd.edu
Office: will use MHA 3544 (lab) as office
Office hours: Tuesday 3:00–4:30 PM
Office hours also by appointment

Course Textbook

This course uses no textbook. However, for those interested in a book that has some coverage of these topics, you might check out:

Building Scientific Apparatus Third or Fourth Edition, by John H. Moore, Christopher C. Davis, and Michael A. Coplan; Perseus Books, Cambridge, MA; ISBN 0-8133-4006-3.

Course Description

A laboratory-lecture course designed to give undergraduate students experiences useful in modern physics laboratories. Topics covered include: mechanical design and machining; mechanics of materials; thermal design and control; vacuum and cryogenic technologies; optical raytracing and optics design; useful laboratory electronics; computer interface to scientific equipment. The laboratory portion will consist of mini-projects aimed at developing proficiency in the lecture topics. These will involve design, fabrication, and performance evaluation of a variety of original test apparatus.