54798 - Lab-based Course on Electromagnetism and Optics (M-Z)

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course, the student has basic knowledge of DC circuits, RLC circuits in both transient and sinusoidal regimes, and the phenomena of light interference and diffraction. He/she knows the fundamentals of graphical programming and is able to develop simple data acquisition programs. With the use of ROOT, a framework for Object Oriented data analysis in C++, he/she learns the basics of Monte Carlo generation of physical distributions and data analysis in terms of their selection, representation and fitting to a hypothesis. Finally, through various laboratory experiences he/she develops basic skills in the area of electrical and optical measurements, data acquisition, analysis and simulation, and the ability to present experimental results in written and oral form

Course contents

The course is divided into two semesters (first semester divided into two modules) that address, in an integrated approach, various aspects related to the acquisition, analysis, and written and oral presentation of experimental data, with reference to topics covered in the second year of the first level physics degree.

First semester, first module - Prof. M. Franchini

Applications of the ROOT Data Analysis framework usage for the data simulation and analysis with examples connected to the laboratory sessions which will be held during Module I:

• Fuctionalities, with examples, of histograms (THx), graphs (TGraph), functions (TFx), ROOT persistency (TFile). Fitting data with ROOT (linear and non linear fits).
• ROOT Monte Carlo utilities for the generation of physics distributions and for the simulation of experimental effects (resolution, efficiency); Toy MC.
• Fitting a model to data with ROOT, best fit parameters, covariance and correlation of parameters, hypothesis tests, linear and non linear fits.
• Advanced ROOT applications: The ROOT Collection Classes (TList) and ROOT n-tuple type data (TTree)

First semester, second module - Prof. M. Franchini

• Data acquisition devices. General architecture of a data acquisition (DAQ) device. The measurement chain. Analog to Digital Converters (ADCs). Communication buses. Signal-device connection. Signal sampling: aliasing and Nyquist theorem. Buffered data acquisition. Introduction to the Arduino Uno microcontroller. Arduino programming.

Second semester - Prof.C. Massimi

In this module, the main experimental methods used in the electromagnetism, circuits and optics laboratory will be described, with reference to the laboratory sessions. The methods to be used when writing a report and when giving a talk reporting scientific results will be described, with reference to the customary standards of the international scientific community. Finally, some complements necessary to perform the laboratory sessions on electrical circuits in the transient and sinusoidal regime will be given.

• Characteristics of laboratory instruments. Function generators. Digital multimeters. Oscilloscopes. Lasers. Light detectors, photodiodes. Reference: Boscherini Strumenti
• Reports. Methods and standards used when writing a laboratory report and when presenting experimental results in a talk. Linear and non linear fits.
• Oscilloscopes. Analogue and digital oscilloscopes. Static and dynamic sensitivity, band pass. Vertical gain, horizontal deflection and saw tooth time scan. Trigger. Digital oscilloscopes. Reference: Bava, Galzerano, Norgia, Ottoboni e Svelto
• Complements on circuits in the transient and sinusoidal regime. Capacitors and inductors. First order circuits. Second order circuits. RLC circuits in the sinusoidal regime and phasors. Frequency response. Low pass, high pass, band pass circuits and resonant circuits. Reference: Perfetti, chap. 6, 7, 8 and 13 (part). Copy of lecture slides available on virtuale.unibo.it

Readings/Bibliography

Prof. M. Franchini (module 1)

The teaching material is available on Virtuale:

• The ROOT primer: https://root.ern.ch/root/htmldoc/guides/primer/ROOTPrimer.html
• Slides of the lectures and ROOT code examples written during the lectures
• (Optional) Official ROOT material (User guide, Reference guide) from http://root.cern.ch

Prof. M. Franchini (module 2)

The teaching material is available on Virtuale:

The teaching material is available on Virtuale; it includes:

• Slides on DAQ devices and Arduino

• Guides for the laboratory sessions and templates for drawing up the reports

Prof. C. Massimi

• Renzo Perfetti, Circuiti Elettrici, Zanichelli, 2013.
• Copy of lecture slides are available on Virtuale
• Elio Bava, Gianluca Galzerano, Michele Norgia, Roberto Ottoboni e Cesare Svelto, Misure elettroniche di laboratorio, Pitagora Editrice, 2005.
• R. Bartiromo e M. De Vincenzi, Electrical Measurements in the Laboratory Practice, Springer

Teaching methods

Lectures, exercises, and laboratory sessions (compulsory). Below are some details on the laboratory sessions for each module.

Note: Laboratory and general safety: All students must attend Modules 1 and 2 [https://www.unibo.it/en/services-and-opportunities/health-and-assistance/health-and-safety/online-course-on-health-and-safety-in-study-and-internship-areas] online, while Module 3 on health and safety is to be attended in class. Information about Module 3 attendance schedule is available on the website of your degree programme.

Prof. M. Franchini

The students will perform three laboratory sessions and each student individually will write a C++ program to simulate physics data and perform their analysis using the ROOT functionalities, making practice of C++ Object Oriented programming. A written report of the laboratory sessions is required, using a given template and including the C++/ROOT code listing; the report, in PDF format, must be sent by e-mail to a specific e-mail address within 30 days after the completion of the laboratory sessions.

The students will attend three lab sessions, which include the realization of simple electrical circuits on DAQ device Arduino and ELVIS II. The students will work in groups.

Prof. C. Massimi

Each student will perform two experiments: one on physical optics and one on electrical circuits. Students will work in small groups, four laboratory sessions are planned. A written report is required, using a given template. The experiment will also be the subject of an oral presentation using PC and beamer.

Assessment methods

The final mark is an overall evaluation related to the topics covered in the course.

The final exam (second semester) can be taken only after the completion of the other modules.

For all modules, presence during laboratory sessions is compulsory.

Oral exams can be performed in English upon request. 

In all evaluations there is a great emphasis on the assessment of critical thinking and communication abilities.

Prof. M. Franchini (module 1)

Written exam with questions and exercises, in particular on Monte Carlo simulation and model fitting with ROOT functionalities.

The score of the written exam and report will be based on the assessment of the student's knowledge of C++ and ROOT, with particular emphasis on data fitting and Monte Carlo simulations.

Prof. M. Franchini (module 2)

During the three laboratory sessions, the students write a report using a pre-defined template. The reports must be delivered in PDF format at the end of the sessions. The score obtained in the report on the second and third lab session constitutes the exam’s score. The score will be based on the assessment of the student's ability to develop a data acquisition setup relative to electrical circuits.

Prof. C. Massimi

The mark for the second semester takes into account the evaluation of:

A) A written report, maximum length 6 pages, on the circuits experiment.

B) An oral presentation with computer and beamer on the circuits experiment, maximum time 10 minutes, and subsequent discussion. The oral exam can be booked via AlmaEsami.

Final grade grading:

• Limited presentation and analytical ability that emerges only with the instructor's assistance, generally correct language: 18-24;
• Ability to study and analyze independently on a fairly broad range of topics, ability to make independent critical analysis choices, mastery of specific terminology: 25-29;
• Essentially comprehensive preparation on the topics covered in the course, ability to independently make critical analysis and connections, full command of specific terminology, and ability to reason and self-reflect: 30-30L.

Registration on AlmaEsami is compulsory and must be made no later than 4 working days before the exam.

For students with learning disabilities or temporary or permanent disabilities, please contact the relevant University office promptly (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it). The office will recommend any adjustments, which must be submitted to the instructor for approval 15 days in advance, who will evaluate their suitability, also taking into account the course's learning objectives.

Teaching tools

Well equipped informatics, optics and electronics laboratories.

Students with specific learning disorders (SLD) or temporary/permanent disabilities: We recommend contacting the University Office responsible for support services in a timely manner (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it) [https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it):] ). The office will evaluate the students' needs and, where appropriate, propose possible accommodations. These must in any case be submitted for approval at least 15 days in advance to the course instructor, who will assess their suitability also in relation to the learning objectives of the course.

Office hours

See the website of Cristian Massimi

See the website of Matteo Franchini

See the website of Matteo Franchini

See the website of Alessandro Puri