Master-variant

Instrumentation and Informatics

in Physics, Astronomy and Space Research

Motivation

A number of reasons have led to the development of this master-variant in a joint approach of various research institutes.

• For frontline research in e.g. astronomy, space research, atomic and subatomic physics, biomedical technology and material science it is of high interest to educate students in modern instrumentation and information technology. Instruments currently used in these disciplines have become very powerful due to their complexity. Researchers often need to develop their own advanced instruments and need to acquire a broad spectrum of different skills. They fulfill tasks of scientists, but also need to be aware of tasks of engineers and managers.

• There is high and still growing interest from students in specialized education in modern instrumentation and information technology. Keeping in mind the role of masters in natural sciences in the industry and research, it is necessary to support the students’ interests by offering a tailored education program.

• The RuG is in the unique situation in the Netherlands to be close to two institutes producing world class instrumentation in ground and space based astronomy: the Laboratory for Space Research SRON in Groningen and the Stichting ASTRON in Dwingeloo. At the same time it is close to the KVI, which has a strong reputation in building instrumentation for atomic and subatomic physics.

• With an attractive variant of the standard master program, that coordinates and streamlines a number of courses presently scattered over several sub-disciplines, we anticipate attracting a considerable number of extra master students to Groningen.

Goals

• Education of masters in physics, technical physics and astronomy with special emphasis on instrumentation and information technology;

• Research in one of the institutes of the department ONT, where specific knowledge of instrumentation and information technology is advantageous to achieve the aims of fundamental or applied research.

Support

• This master-variant is supported by a unique collaboration of the Kapteyn Institute, ASTRON, SRON, KVI, CIO, the education Biomedical Technology (BMT) and the education of Physics and Technical Physics in the education-institute ONT. The combined large amount of expertise in the field of detection technology, medical and astronomical instrumentation and space research technology makes this master-variant unique in the Netherlands.

• Students will be offered the chance to make contact with advanced techniques developed and applied in prominent research laboratories. This knowledge will be conveyed in a structured education program.

Relations

• This master-variant is built upon the present master-variants “Fysische Informatica” (variant of Technical Physics) and “Instrumentation” (variant of Astronomy) and will replace these. Therefore the extra effort to set up the program is minimized. However, the scope of these previous variants has been broadened and strengthened by combining aspects of instrumentation, informatics, mathematics and technical economy in a unified approach.

• Next to the educational value, the coordination of teaching instrumentation, informatics, mathematics and technical economy leads to higher efficiency, better visibility and therefore higher attractivity across disciplinary boarders, nationwide and abroad.

• The highly specialized education program is meant to attract students all across Europe, therefore it is offered in English language, providing the extra opportunity to invite high quality foreign professors to take part in the teaching curriculum.

• This master-variant will be offered next to the regular master of physics, technical physics or astronomy. The type of master research determines whether the candidate will receive the title Drs. (from Astronomy or Physics) or Ir. (from Technical Physics).

• The selection of advanced physics (or astronomy) courses is obligatory underlining the research-oriented character of this master-variant.

Prerequisite

• This master-variant requires a bachelor degree in physics or astronomy.

• Students with a different background will be considered individually and possibly advised to take extra courses.

• In the bachelor program we provide and advise for interested students a few courses which create a deeper instrumentation-minded background, but these courses are not mandatory to follow the Master-variant Instrumentation and Informatics in Physics, Astronomy and Space Research.

Expected number of students

• Based on experience with the students interest in “Fysische Instrumentatie” we anticipate that about 20-30% of students signing up for natuurkunde, technische natuurkunde and sterrenkunde might choose this master variant.

Start of the program

• We aim to start this program at the beginning of study-year 2005/2006.

Master-variant “Instrumentation and Informatics”

Pre-education:

Natuurkunde, Technische natuurkunde, Sterrenkunde (“Doorstroom master”);

Recommended Voluntary Bachelor Courses***

N=Natuurkunde and Technische Natuurkunde; S=Scheikunde; A=astronomy; TN=Technische Natuurkunde

BMT=biomedische technologie; TBK=technische bedrijfskunde

# indicates the number of the course in the list appended to the tables.

** Ontwikkelen in onderzoeksgroepen, daarna overdragen aan Practicum en integreren in Research Practicum als

“Instrumentation variant”.

* Selection of “Instrumentation variant” of Research Practicum strongly recommended.

***In due time, as soon as the complete structure of major and minor courses within ONT is defined, we will set up a specialized Minor “Instrumentation” (30 EC) in order to attract interested students for this master variant in an early stage of their education.

Courses required for Master-variant “Instrumentation” with 120 EC, semester 7 – 10

N=Natuurkunde and Technische Natuurkunde; S=Scheikunde; A=astronomy; TN=Technische Natuurkunde

BMT=biomedische technologie; TBK=technische bedrijfskunde

# indicates the number of the course in the list appended to the tables.

* (courses 36 – 43):

for master physics, technical physics, selection from: Solid State Physics I; Subatomic Physics;

Applications of Quantum Physics;

for master sterrenkunde, selection from: Cosmology; Formation and Evolution of Galaxies;

Interstellar Medium; Large Scale Structure of the Universe;

Stellar Evolution;

** “Industrial research” may be conducted in an institute active in research and development in industry or having contracts with industry or industrial agencies. This research is organized in agreement with the thesis advisor and rounded off by a report and an oral presentation.

*** “Master research” is conducted in one of the institutes of the department ONT, where specific knowledge of instrumentation and information technology is advantageous to achieve the aims of fundamental or applied research.

Voluntary Master Courses

N=Natuurkunde and Technische Natuurkunde; S=Scheikunde; A=astronomy; TN=Technische Natuurkunde

BMT=biomedische technologie; TBK=technische bedrijfskunde

# indicates the number of the course in the list appended to the tables.

* Some of these courses will be offered once per 2 years or given in block form.

Brief description of contents of courses:

1. Introduction to technical physics

This introductory course aims to provide orientation in the specialization of technical physics. Emphasis will be put on the integration of different disciplines of physics. Using concrete examples of a biomedical, astronomical or nuclear-physics instrument we will illustrate how fields like material science, optics, quantumphysics, electricity, magnetism and chemistry are combined in the development and application of technological systems and processes.

2. Instrumentation practicum

This laboratory course is the “instrumentation variant” of the Research Practicum and will be arranged in close collaboration with research institutes. Students will get acquainted with a research-like environment and will acquire practical skills to set up, operate and analyze an experiment. The practical experience with MatLab will be a prerequisite for subsequent studies.

3. Electronics (Elektronica), B.J. van Wees

This course aims to provide basic knowledge and experience in electronic devices and the use of electronic systems. Lectures will be accompanied by a practicum. The following topics will be treated: Electronic systems; sensors and actuators; amplifiers, feedback loops; semiconductors en diodes; FET and bipolar junction transistors; treatment of electronic signals; digital systems and sequential logic.

Required knowledge: Electricity and Magnetism 1, 2

4. Advanced Electronics, B.J. van Wees

This course builds upon the introductory course Electronics and teaches design and functioning of electronic networks and systems in lectures and practical applications.

Required knowledge: Electronics

5. Digital and analog control systems (Digitale en Analoge Regelsystemen), H. Hasper

Making use of MATLAB/SIMULINK and the CONTROL-toolbox the interested student will get quickly acquainted with practical aspects of digital and analog control systems. Emphasis will be put on the classical techniques and descriptions in the time-frequency domain with extensions to state-space descriptions. The application of a number of MATLAB m-files to realistic problems illustrates the theoretical discussion.

Required knowledge: Electronics

6. Practicum digital and analog control systems (Practicum Digitale en Analoge Regelsystemen), H. Hasper

The theory presented in the course digital and analog control systems will be applied in design and construction of a number of control systems.

Required knowledge: Digital and analog control systems

7. Principles of Measurement Systems (Fysische Meettechniek 1), H. Hasper

This course combines lectures with a practicum in order to discuss and exercise the basic elements of measurement systems including the following topics: Global setup of an experiment: transducers: conversion from physics observables to electronic signals, signal analysis and data representation; Static and dynamic characteristics of measurement systems: error reduction techniques and signal/noise optimization; transport of electrical signals, experiment control and bus systems.

Required knowledge: Electronics

8. Observing techniques, Douglas

This course teaches the principles of astronomical observations and the necessary technical equipment. Special topics are: limitations due to the atmosphere; signal/noise optimization and signal analysis, e.g. Fouriertransformation techniques; detectors and amplifiers; operation of radiotelescopes; optical spectrometry and photometry;

9. Mechatronics, H. Hasper

This course introduces to mechatronics: systems integrating IT systems, robotics, control systems and transducer technology.

Topics: Computer-integration of electromechanical systems; Modeling of sensors and actuators; Interfacing of processes to computers; Modeling and simulation of dynamical systems; data acquisition and virtual instrumentation; real-time acquisition and process control.

10. Project management

This course treats the general problems encountered when a physical/technical project needs to be planned, organized and executed:

Concepts (requirements, deliverables, risicos, quality, milestones) and planning techniques.

This course will be developed in collaboration with TBK.

11. Project Information Technology (Stage Fysische Informatietechniek), H. Hasper

This project is primarily intended for students of technical physics and strongly recommended for students with experimental ambitions. The goal is to get acquainted by means of practical applications with various aspects of data-acquisition and control of physical processes. Examples of tasks are: interface design, design of control system based on simulations, finite-element method to simulate physical processes, process control, experiment automation.

Required knowledge: Electronics, Principles of Measurement Systems

12. Finite elements and applications (Technische wiskunde), F. Wubs

This course treats the mathematical foundation of finite element methods and will pay much attention to concrete applications in technical physics and technical astronomy using the package FEMLAB.

The following mathematical principles will be discussed: variational formulation of PDEs, natural and essential boundary
conditions, the Ritz-Galerkin method, some standard finite elements, isoparametric elements, mixed finite elements,
approximation errors, computational complexity, standard solution methods for linear systems.

This course will be specially adjusted to the needs of students interested in technical aspects of physics, astronomy, and BMT.

13. Applied signal processing, R. Peletier

This course teaches the principles of signal processing with practical examples from astronomy and nuclear physics. It serves as basis for the more theoretically oriented course Signal Analysis. Topics are: Discrete time signals and systems, discrete convolution, complex analysis, Fourier Transform, z-transform, sampling and aliasing, discrete-time approximation of analog filters. Discrete Fourier transform signal processing including the FFT, frequency response estimation, interpolation. The students will make MATLAB programs to apply these principles to several types of data coming from applications in several areas of physics.

14. Basic detection techniques, P.R. Wesselius, H. Wörtche

This course treats the various methods of detecting signals in astronomy, nuclear and particle physics. Optical/NIR range: Photoconductors, Photodiodes, Amplifiers, Arrays, Photographic Plates; Submm/Radio: Super-heterodyne receiver technology, Gaussian beam optics, cryogenic HEMT amplifiers (for IF), SIS mixers for mm and submm bands, hot-electron bolometer (HEB) mixers for THz frequencies; Nuclear and particle physics: semiconductor and gaseous detectors, scintillators, light sensors, methods of data analysis and applications in the medical sciences, medicine and biology.

Required knowledge: Quantumphysics 2, Electronics

15. Space Missions, Wesselius

This course will students get acquainted with the most important subjects related to designing and building instruments that have to work in space, embedded in a space vehicle (‘satellite’). Much attention will be paid to designing, building, qualifying and testing the instrument itself, but also the environment in which the instrument is embedded is discussed: surviving launch; satellite bus systems serving the instrument with power, computers; surviving space conditions.

Voluntary courses:

21. Astronomische Signaalverwerking, M. de Vos

This course discusses problems of advanced signal processing, mainly applied to data from radio interferometry. Some topics are: AD Converters, Correlators, Applications towards Westerbork and LOFAR, RF Technology.

(This course is in development)

22. Interferometry/Adaptive Optics, de Bruyn, Brouw

This course treats the various advanced techniques available for astronomical observations. Special topics are: beam formation and radiosynthesis; pulsar detection techniques; radio and optical interferometry, adaptive optics.

This course was earlier given as “Waarneemtechnieken II” and will be modernized.

22. Virtual Observations, Valentijn

In this course we will discuss modern virtual observatories and related problems: Using large databases, virtual observatories, parallel computers, data archives.

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22. Systems Engineering, S. Brandenburg, P.R. Wesselius

This course will discuss the various aspects of design and construction of a complex large instrument and their interplay. Some topics are: Project management, planning, cryogen technology, vacuum technology.

22. Charged particle optics and accelerators, S. Brandenburg

This course will discuss the following topics: motion of charged particles in electric and magnetic fields: ion-optical systems, the matrix formalism, phase space, emittance; principles of charged particle acceleration, the historical development and applications of accelerators; circular accelerators: transverse and longitudinal beam dynamics, resonances; advanced topics: synchrotron radiation, beam cooling; superconducting accelerators, RF-systems and vacuum techniques.

22. Laser Cooling and Trapping , L. Willmann

This lecture treats the principles of laser methods in order to cool atoms, to catch atoms and to manipulate atoms. Magneto-optical traps, optical tweezers and Bose-Einstein condensates will be discussed.

Required knowledge: Applications of Quantum Physics

22. Complex detector systems, H. Wörtche, P.R. Wesselius

This course builds upon Applied detection techniques and treats the concepts, construction and data analysis of complex arrangements of different detector technologies in one large apparatus as used in particle physics and astronomical observatories or space missions.

22. Experimental Methods of Trace Gas Research, E.R.T. Kerstel

This course introduces by means of lectures and hands-on experience at CIO the experimental methods to measure mainly atmospheric gaseous constituents at relatively low concentrations. Emphasis is put on applications in atmospheric "Global Change" science. Various experimental techniques will be covered: Gas Chromatography, Mass Spectrometry, Laser Spectroscopy and Remote Sensing. Two lectures will be given by guest speakers from KFA-Jülich and SRON-Utrecht.

Required knowledge: Experimental practice.

22. Imaging techniques, H. Duifhuis

The measurement principle, the arrangement and the data analysis of various techniques for medical imaging (PET, MRI, fMRI, SPECT) will be discussed.

22. Physics of Electronic Devices, B.J. van Wees, P.W.M. Blom

The central theme of this course is the physics and technology of electronic (nano-) devices of semiconductors, molecular materials and other materials. The general set-up is to correlate between properties of materials, combinations of materials, design, (“quantum engineering”) and the final specific electronic function of devices in the broadest sense (photo-voltaic element, light emitting diode, semiconductor laser, field effect/bipolar transistor, switch etc.). The lectures will focus on the physical concepts, and the technologies, and the application of it to the systems mentioned above.

Required knowledge: Solid State Physics 1

22. Signal Analysis, J.H. van Hateren

Methods will be treated for analyzing deterministic as well as stochastic signals.

Topics to be treated: Fourier series, Fourier transform, convolution, pulse and step functions, sampling, linear systems, discrete Fourier transform, FFT, two- and higher dimensional signals, probability theory and random variables, random processes, stationarity and ergodicity, power spectra, matched filter, Wiener filter, spectral estimation.

22. Material Science and Design (Materiaalkunde en Ontwerpen), J.T.M. de Hosson

The course treats the following subjects: structure and defects in materials; mechanical tests, strengthening mechanisms and fracture; Phase-transformations and –diagrams; metals, ceramic materials and polymers. The relation between microstructure and various properties will be emphasized, like mechanical electrical magnetic and thermal properties. Lectures are accompanied by a CAD-CAM practicum for design and construction including contacts with mechanical workshop

22. Numerical Mathematics II, F. Wubs

This course is based on the existing course: ProgressCode: WINM2-03 for bachelor Technische Wiskunde.

In dit college worden numerieke methoden behandeld voor de integratie van beginwaardeproblemen voor gewone differentiaalvergelijkingen (meerstaps- en Runge-Kutta methoden), het oplossen van stelsels lineaire vergelijkingen (factorisaties en iteratieve methoden), de bepaling van eigenwaarden en eigenvectoren (Power- en QR-methode), minimalisatie van functionalen (Rayleigh-Ritz methode) en het oplossen van partiële differentiaalvergelijkingen (eindige differentie- en eindige elementenmethode).

Practicum: Gedurende het trimester vindt er een aantal keren een computerpracticum plaats.

Required knowledge: Techniques treated in “Numerieke Wiskunde 1”, Linear Algebra.

22. Data Analysis and Visualization, J. Roerdink

This course is currently taught as: Scientific Visualization, ProgressCode: INSV-03 (5EC), J.B.T.M. Roerdink

This course treats the role of visualization in scientific research. The visualization process is decomposed into a number of steps which form the so-called visualization pipeline. The first step is data acquisition, either from numerical simulations or from measurements. Then data preparation is discussed, which involves both data selection (what do we want to visualize) and data filtering. Then data have to be mapped to graphical primitives. Various visual metaphors for representing data are presented. The final step is to render the graphical representations to screen space, using computer graphics techniques. The role of human perception and cognition is emphasized. A representative selection of standard visualization techniques is presented, comprising the main areas of volume visualization, vector field visualization and tensor field visualization. Applications in medical visualization, visualization of biomolecular structures, flow visualization and information visualization are discussed. Students work on a case study during the course, about which they give a presentation and write a final report.

22. Solid State Physics 1, P. Rudolf

Subjects discussed in this lecture: Crystal structure, diffraction methods, structure of atoms, crystal binding, phonons, electron gas, band structure, semiconductors, diamagnetism, paramagnetism and ferromagnetism, Plasmons, polaritons and polarons, Optical processes and excitons, superconductivity, dielectrics and ferroelectrics, point defects and dislocations, the nucleus and solid state physics.

Required knowledge: Quantumphysics 2.

22. Subatomic Physics, N. Kalantar Nayestanaki

The following topics will be discussed:

Fundamental interactions, nuclear properties, nuclear force, nuclear models, quark model, hadron resonances, standard model of elementary particles and interactions.

Required knowledge: Quantumphysics 2.

22. Applications of Quantum Mechanics, R.A. Hoekstra

The quantum physics of the hydrogen atom will be a prerequisite. On the basis of this knowledge the structure of real atoms and their interactions with external fields will be treated: alkali atoms, fine and hyperfine structure, interaction with electric and magnetic fields, optical and Röntgen transitions, laser physics, and modern spectroscopy will be treated. As many as possible applications will be discussed, e.g. the atomic clock, quantum computer, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), laser cooling of atoms.

22. Cosmology, R. van de Weygaert

This course treats the global structure and evolution of the Universe, mainly in the frame-work of the `standard' Friedmann-Robertson-Walker `Hot Big Bang' theory. This course is also a basis for the courses `Large Scale Structure in the Universe' and `Formation and Evolution of Galaxies'. Specific subjects are: - relativistic cosmology, the cosmological principle, the expanding universe and Friedmann-Robertson-Walker models. Classical cosmological tests, cosmological distances, volumes, source counts etc. - determination of cosmological constants: Hubble parameters cosmic density parameter and cosmological constant. - `standard' thermodynamical history of the Hot Big Bang: 1 primordial nucleosynthesis and the formation of light elements, the origin and thermal character of the microwave background radiation. - the very early universe, elementary
particles, baryonsynthesis etc. cosmic inflation: the horizon problem, the flatness problem, monopoles, cosmic phase transitions and the inflation paradigm.
 

22. Formation and Evolution of Galaxies, Trager

Subjects to be covered are: theoretical basis: gravitational instability, hierarchical formation scenarios, Press-Schechter theory and related analytical descriptions; the physics: stellar evolution, photometric evolution, effects of gas infall and recycling; nearby galaxies: stellar populations, photometric and spectrophotometric evolution; tracing evolution with redshift and environment: Butcher-Oemler effect, color magnitude relation, change in properties of galaxies and clusters with
redshift, evolution of gas content and star formation rate with redshift; scaling relations: Tully-Fisher, Faber-Jackson, fundamental plane; special objects: low surface brightness galaxies, damped Ly alpha absorbers, the Ly alpha forest.

22. Interstellar Medium, X. Tielens

Main subjects of the course: basic principles and facts for the ISM, interstellar dust H II regions, gas dynamics, photodissociation regions, molecular astrophysics, gravitational instability and star formation.

22. Large Scale Structure of the Universe

This course focuses on the formation of structure in the universe. Special focus is on how the distribution and motions of matter and galaxies in the universe and the cosmic microwave background radiation follow from the theory of gravitational instability. Specific topics are: Cosmological fossils: distribution of galaxies, redshift surveys, clusters and groups of galaxies, the cosmic foam, cosmic background radiation: thermal properties and distribution in the sky cosmic velocity
fields, Hubble expansion, peculiar velocities. Random Field Theory. Gaussian fields. Fourier description Statistical description: correlation functions, power spectra and other geometric and heuristic descriptions. Theory of Structure Formation: Gravitational instability, Jeans instability, characteristic mass scales, fluctuation spectra, linear growth of fluctuations, role of dark matter, analytic approaches for describing structure formation, N-body simulations: technique, initial
conditions, newest results. Theory of the Cosmic Background Radiation.

22. Stellar Evolution, Trager

Subjects to be discussed are: hydrostatic and thermal equilibrium, radiative and convective energy transport; equation of state, opacity, nuclear reactions, nucleosynthesis; the differential equations for stellar models, boundary conditions and methods for solving the problem; mass-luminosity relation, special models, pulsating stars star formation, the main sequence, evolution of the main sequence for stars of different mass late stages of stellar evolution, supernovae, white dwarfs and neutron stars.