Department of Physics, CUHK

Physics may be considered as a study of the basic regularities behind the various complex phenomena in the physical world; its objects range from the tiniest like quarks in a proton to the largest like the universe of which our solar system is a minute part, and from systems as simple as free particles to those as complex as typhoons in our atmosphere. It is the goal of the endeavour of the Department of Physics to contribute to the understanding and applications of the fascinating facets of nature, and to offer a solid and attractive curriculum to our inquiring youth.

Our BSc programme in physics is designed with the aim of training our students to have a good grasp of fundamental knowledge and general methods, and to appreciate and understand their important applications in the modern society. Courses are offered in the form of lectures, laboratories, small-group discussions, problem solving sessions, colloquia, seminars, and projects. Some courses are being taught with multi-media courseware in well-equipped teaching studios. In addition to the core courses, there are elective courses of advanced and/or applied nature at various levels.

Advanced programmes leading to MSc, MPhil and PhD are also offered.

The Department of Physics considers its students as its best assets, and has established a number of special programmes to enrich the studies of its students both academically and extra-curricularly. Special programmes for undergraduate students include: mentoring; summer research in the department; summer research overseas; summer job training in the department; and summer job training in industry. For graduate students, the department supports their participation in international conferences and overseas research exchange, and the organization of their own annual conference.

Research projects of the Department cover a wide range of topics. Recent experimental projects, with emphasis on materials and optics, include the following topics: nanostrucutred materials; thin films of high-temperature superconductors and magnetic oxides; surface science; properties of undercooled liquids; optical properties of semiconductors; light scattering studies of turbulence, colloids, and polymers in solutions; laser levitated droplets; sub-picosecond laser-induced nonlinear effects; photorefractive effect; nonlinear optical properties of organic materials; atomic processes in low temperature plasmas; high power gas lasers; sol-gel derived photonic materials; magnetic materials; ceramic and metal matrix composites; non-destructive analysis by magnetoacoustic emission and ultrasonics; hard coatings; and light emitting devices.

Theoretical projects include radiation characteristics in media; dissipative quantum systems; astrophysics, gravitational waves; laser interaction with micrometer-sized droplets; sonoluminescence; optical nonlinearity in granular materials; electronic and optical properties of semiconductor heterostructures; photonic band gap materials; interacting electron-phonon system; strongly correlated fermion systems; turbulence; fracture dynamics; high Tc superconductors; computational many-body physics; quantum optics; and computational surface science and materials science.

Staff in the Department have established research collaboration with scientists in world-class institutions. Every year, the Department hosts a large number of visiting scholars for them to interact with its staff and students. The Department is particularly keen on helping its undergraduate and graduate students participate in international academic exchange activities.