PHYS6501 Computer controlled measurements in physics (6 credits)

Aim:

The aim of this course is to provide students with practical skills for designing and operating computer controlled measurement systems. In addition to measurement software development skills, the students will learn principles of operation of commonly used components in measurement systems for experimental condensed matter research.

Contents:

Topics include: Measurement uncertainties, standards, and calibration; Reproducibility of results and reporting measurement results; Signals and noise, two-wire and four-wire sensing, passive and active circuits, computer interfacing and Labview software, basics of dynamic systems, feedback and control, PID controllers. Light detectors, monochromators, spectrometers, photometry and radiometry. Measurements of electronic properties.

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of the course, students should be able to:

• explain measurement uncertainties, concepts of repeatability and reproducibility, feedback and control.
• identify possible sources of noise in measurements and propose methods to minimize the effect of noise.
• compare different measurement techniques and instrumentation, recognize their limitations and appraise their suitability for a specific measurement.
• write Labview programs to control measurement instrumentation.

Teaching Hours:

36 hours of lectures, tutorials, and laboratory work

Duration:

One Semester (2^nd Semester)

Assessment:

One 3-hour written examination (60% weighting), laboratory work (10% weighting), and course work or a mini-project (30% weighting)

Textbooks:

Lecture notes provided by course coordinator

References:

G. Olsson and G. Piani: Computer Systems for Automation and Control (Prentice Hall, 1992)
J.A. Blackburn: Modern Instrumentation for Scientists and Engineers (Springer, 2001)
J.G. Webster: The Measurement, Instrumentation, and Sensors Handbook (CRC Press, 1999)
R.G.W. Johnson and R. Jennings: Labview Graphical Programming (McGraw-Hill, 2001)
L. Kirkup and B. Frenkel: An Introduction to Uncertainty in Measurement (Cambridge, 2006)
J. Fraden: AIP Handbook of Modern Sensors: Physics, Designs, and Applications (AIP, 1995)