Academics

Applied Physics


M.S. and Ph.D. Program in Applied Physics


Admission

A bachelor's or master's degree in engineering, mathematics, or one of the physical sciences is required for admission.

M.S. Program in Applied Physics

The program of study leading to the degree of master of science, while emphasizing continued work in basic physics, permits many options in several applied physics specialties. The program may be considered simply as additional education in areas beyond the bachelor's level, or as preparatory to doctoral studies in the applied physics fields of plasma physics, laser physics, solid-state physics, and applied mathematics. Specific course requirements for the master's degree are determined in consultation with the program adviser.

Ph.D. and Eng.Sc.D. Programs

After completing the M.S. program in applied physics, doctoral students specialize in one applied physics field. Some programs have specific course requirements for the doctorate; elective courses are determined in consultation with the program advisor. Successful completion of an approved 30-point program of study is required in addition to successful completion of a written qualifying examination taken after two semesters of graduate study. An oral examination, taken within one year of the written qualifying examination, and a thesis proposal examination, taken within two years after the written qualifying examination, are required of all doctoral candidates. Ph.D. candidates must also submit an approved dissertation, and complete the University residence requirements.
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Plasma Physics


Columbia, one of the leading university centers for training in plasma physics, offers a graduate program leading to the M.S., M.Phil., and Ph.D. degrees. The program builds a foundation in the science and application of plasma physics and features a specialty in the high-temperature plasma physics needed for controlled fusion energy. Besides a sound basic training in relevant areas of applied physics, students develop expertise in experimental, theoretical, and computational plasma physics. This instruction provides the background needed to conduct research in Columbia University’s Plasma Research Laboratory and in other national plasma research facilities. Since its inception in 1960, the program at Columbia has granted more than 110 doctoral degrees with many of our graduates playing leading roles in all phases of plasma physics, including, in particular, the worldwide program to develop controlled fusion energy.


Plasma Physics Degree Requirements

The M.S. degree requires the successful completion of 30 points of approved
course work in basic and applied physics. Requirements for the M.Phil. degree include successful completion of a 30 point program beyond the M.S. which includes APPH E4018, APPH E4200, APPH E4300, APPH E6101, APPH E6102, and APPH E9142 or APPH E9143 or their equivalent, a written qualifying examination, an oral exam and a thesis proposal evaluation. In addition to fulfilling the M.Phil. requirements, Ph.D. candidates must submit an approved dissertation, and complete the University residence requirements.



Core Courses


Related Courses of Specialization

  • ELEN E4501: Electromagnetic devices and energy conversion

Plasma Physics Faculty

Michael E. Mauel (Coordinator)
Allen H. Boozer
Gerald A. Navratil
Thomas S. Pedersen
Amiya K. Sen - EE and APAM


Research Scientists and External Advisors

Admitted students may work with scientific advisors external to the applied physics faculty. Examples of other researchers or faculty external to the department include:

Mark Adams, Research Scientist
James Bialek, PPPL
D. Garnier, MIT
David Maurer, Research Scientist
H. Reimerdes, General Atomics
Steven Sabbagh, PPPL

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Solid-State & Optical Physics

Columbia's program in solid state physics spans a wide range of experimental and theoretical fields, including nanocrystals, electronic transport in molecular nanostructures, optical spectroscopy, and fabrication of semiconductors; semiconductor superlattices; molecular electronics; surface and interface physics; solid state physics at high pressure and defects. In many of these endeavors the program maintains close ties with the Columbia Center for Integrated Science and Engineering, the Columbia NSF Center for Electronic Transport in Molecular Nanostructures (Nanocenter), and the Interdepartmental Committee on Materials Science and Engineering/Solid State Science and Engineering.

Columbia's program in optical physics emphasizes both theoretical and experimental studies of lasers and laser applications within applied physics and related disciplines. Areas of interest include laser spectroscopy; laser- assisted diagnostics and modifications in semiconductor processing; inelastic light scattering; and photonic devices. In several of these endeavors the program maintains close ties with the Columbia Center for Integrated Science and Engineering.


Solid State & Optical Physics Degree Requirements

The M.S. degree can be awarded after one year of residency and 30 points in studies in basic and applied physics. Requirements for the M.Phil. degree include successful completion of a 30 point program which includes relevant technical courses, such as APPH E4018, APPH E4112, ELEN E4301, ELEN E6331-6332, MSAE E4205, MSAE E4206 or their equivalent for solid state; APPH E4018, APPH E4100, APPH E4110, APPH E4112, APPH E6110, and ELEN E9402 or their equivalent for optical physics, a written qualifying examination in the solid state and optical physics specialty option, an oral exam, and a thesis proposal evaluation. In addition to fulfilling the M.Phil. requirements, Ph.D. and Eng.Sc.D. candidates must submit an approved dissertation and complete the University residence requirements.

Specific course requirements are determined in consultation with the program advisor. Courses suggested for preparation at the level of the general, and solid state and optical physics parts of the written qualifying examination are listed in the qualifying examination memorandum.



Core Courses

  • ELEN E4301: Introduction to semiconductor devices

Related Courses of Specialization

  • ELEN E4944: Principles of device microfabrication
  • ELEN E6140: Gallium arsenide materials processing
  • ELEN E6151: Surface physics and analysis of electronic materials
  • MSAE E6225: Techniques in x-ray and neutron diffraction
  • MSAE E6229: Energy and particle beam processing of materials
  • MSAE E6240: Impurities and defects in semiconductor materials
  • MSAE E8235: Selected topics in materials science
  • PHYS G8050: Advanced mathematical methods in physics



Solid-State Physics and Optical & Laser Physics Faculty

Aron Pinczuk, Physics and APAM (Coordinator)
William Bailey
Simon Billinge
Siu-Wai Chan
Dirk Englund, EE and APAM
Irving P. Herman
Philip Kim, Physics and APAM 
Chris Marianetti
Gertrude Neumark
I.C. Noyan
Richard M. Osgood, EE and APAM
Horst Stormer, Physics and APAM
Latha Venkataraman
Wen I. Wang, EE and APAM


Multidisciplinary and External Advisors

Louis Brus, Chemical Engineering and Chemistry
Kenneth Eisenthal, Chemistry
Richard Friesner, Chemistry
Tony Heinz, Physics and EE
Yasutomo Uemura, Physics
Shalom Wind, APAM
Chee Wei Wong, Mechanical Engineering


Medical Physics

For information about the M.S. or the Ph.D. Program in Medical Physics, please see: Medical Physics Program

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