Based on the modern approach of information theory, this book presents novel experimental techniques, tools, and data processing methods for physics applications. It shows readers how to plan and conduct experiments, design and certify measuring equipment, and process and interpret the experimental data. Drawing on his extensive experience in experimental research, the author discusses the theory of systems for measuring and recording data, the equipment and methods used for studying fast processes, the basic methods of experimental physics, and the methods for interpretation and data processing. Bringing together approaches that have previously been scattered in the literature, the book covers high-speed photography, Fourier optics, spectroscopy, interferometry, holography, electromagnetic waves, X-rays, and corpuscular investigation.

The first edition of this classic book has become the authoritative reference for physicists desiring to master the finer points of statistical data analysis. This second edition contains all the important material of the first, much of it unavailable from any other sources. In addition, many chapters have been updated with considerable new material, especially in areas concerning the theory and practice of confidence intervals, including the important Feldman-Cousins method. Both frequentist and Bayesian methodologies are presented, with a strong emphasis on techniques useful to physicists and other scientists in the interpretation of experimental data and comparison with scientific theories. This is a valuable textbook for advanced graduate students in the physical sciences as well as a reference for active researchers.

Understanding, designing and conducting experiments is at the heart of science. This text introduces the fundamental principles on which physicists should build a thorough experimental approach to their discipline.

Polymers Physical Properties

Biophysics

This textbook provides the knowledge and skills needed for thorough understanding of the most important methods and ways of thinking in experimental physics. The reader learns to design, assemble, and debug apparatus, to use it to take meaningful data, and to think carefully about the story told by the data. Key Features: Efficiently helps students grow into independent experimentalists through a combination of structured yet thought-provoking and challenging exercises, student-designed experiments, and guided but open-ended exploration. Provides solid coverage of fundamental background information, explained clearly for undergraduates, such as ground loops, optical alignment techniques, scientific communication, and data acquisition using LabVIEW, Python, or Arduino. Features carefully designed lab experiences to teach fundamentals, including analog electronics and low noise measurements, digital electronics, microcontrollers, FPGAs, computer interfacing, optics, vacuum techniques, and particle detection methods. Offers a broad range of advanced experiments for each major area of physics, from condensed matter to particle physics. Also provides clear guidance for student development of projects not included here. Provides a detailed Instructor’s Manual for every lab, so that the instructor can confidently teach labs outside their own research area.

Accelerators

All solids are composed of atoms or molecules and in order to explain their behavior, experiments and theories came forward. Simultaneously, many new materials were synthetically and systematically developed in the laboratories, properties of which needed to be understood before deploying them in various technologies. It is known that there is a strong correlation between structure and properties of materials. Therefore, experiments on solids involve understanding their structure with diffraction techniques using X-rays, electrons or neutrons. The materials may be in different forms like bulk solid, thin films or powders and need to be observed using microscopes. Finally the properties can be correlated to electronic structure which can be deciphered through various spectroscopy techniques. Magnetic measurements give the insight in to electron-electron correlation. The advantages and limitations of the techniques are also spelled out. In other words, this book takes into account the unaddressed needs of students and teachers associated with the experimental methods. Its relevance has increased manifold, as it addresses a wide scope of the topics in concise manner. Such as‚ improving signal-to-noise ratio, cryogenic methods, vacuum science, sources and detectors for electrons, photons (from infra-red to gamma rays), error analysis, statistical handling of data, etc. Please note: This title is co-published with Capital Publishers, New Delhi. Taylor & Francis does not sell or distribute the Hardback in India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

This provocative and critical work addresses the question of why scientific realists and positivists consider experimental physics to be a natural and empirical science. Taking insights from contemporary science studies, continental philosophy, and the history of physics, this book describes and analyses the metaphysical presuppositions that underwrite the technological use of experimental apparatus and instruments to explore, model, and understand nature. By revealing this metaphysical foundation, the author questions whether experimental physics is a natural and empirical science at all.