Modern experimental techniques 7404-WF-NOTEKS

Ion traps and their applications.
dr hab. Łukasz Kłosowski, prof.UMK
Following topics will be discussed:
- basic information on ion trapping techniques: operation principles of ion traps of various types, loading, cooling and detection of the trapped ions;
- phenomena observed with trapped ions, such as Coulomb crystallization, resonance effects, etc.;
- a review of the most important applications and experiments with trapped ions of both classical and quantum nature.

Single Photon - generation, control and detection.
dr hab. Piotr Kolenderski, prof. UMK
The lecture is devoted to methods of generation, control and detection of single photons. The basic physical process which is used for that is spontaneous parametric down conversion. Basics of photonic implementation of quantum tomography will be introduced.

Cavity enhanced and cavity ring-down spectroscopy for detection of gases.
prof. dr hab. Daniel Lisak
Principles of absorption spectroscopy is briefly described, including laser spectroscopy and cavity-enhanced spectroscopy. Basic theory of optical cavity, mode-matching and phase/frequency locking of laser radiation to TEM cavity modes are presented. Next, several cavity enhanced spectroscopic techniques are described together with their applications high-resolution study of gas-phase samples. Advantages of various methods to particular applications are discussed.

Electron and positron interaction with matter: scattering experiments and positron annihilation spectroscopy.
dr hab. Kamil Fedus, prof. UMK
The lectures will focus on experiments that use electrons and positrons as probes of matter properties. Selected experimental techniques for measuring the cross-sections of various scattering channels occurring during collisions of charged projectiles (electron/positron) with single atoms/molecules will be presented. Positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy will also be introduced as a valuable tool for studying defects in condensed matter.

Optical Coherence Tomography, technique and applications.
dr hab. Iwona Gorczynska, prof.UMK
Principles of optical coherence tomography (OCT) will be explained. Basic phenomena on which OCT technique relies, including light coherence, interference, phase sensitive interferometric detection, will be recapitulated. Applications in structural tissue imaging, OCT angiography, Doppler OCT and optoretinography will be discussed.

Total student workload

30 hours of lectures (direct contact with the academic teachers). 60 hours of individual studies and preparations for the examination.

Learning outcomes - knowledge

W_01 - knowledge of physical principles of selected modern experimental research techniques used in exact and natural sciences, discussed in the lectures. (P8S_WG) W_02 - knowledge of advantages and limitations of experimental techniques discussed in the lectures. (P8S_WG) W_03 - knowledge and understanding of experimental research methodology used in physics and biomedical research. (P8S_WG) W_04 - knowledge of theory of selected physical phenomena studied with modern experimental techniques, discussed in the lectures. (P8S_WG) W_05 - knowledge of current trends in development of experimental research techniques used in exact and natural sciences. (P8S_WG) W_06 - knowledge of literature databases, scientific results databases and other scientific resources relevant to research in exact and natural sciences. (P8S_WG)

Learning outcomes - skills

U_01 - skills in independent study (selection of relevant topics and formulation of goals) of advanced experimental techniques, research methods and their applications in exact and natural sciences. (P8S_UW) U_02 - skills in critical analysis of published experimental data and research results obtained with modern experimental techniques. (P8S_UW) U_03 - skills in search for and critical analysis of literature and other scientific resources. (P8S_UW) U_04 - skills in scientific discussion of research topics relevant to modern experimental techniques used in exact and natural sciences. (P8S_UW)

Learning outcomes - social competencies

K_01 - understanding of the need to popularize among general public and explain the value and role of modern experimental techniques in the current and future technological progress and development of modern societies. (P8S_KK) K_02 - understanding of the importance of communication between researchers with different scientific expertise and from various disciplines in development of modern research techniques. (P8S_KK) K_03 - understanding of the obligation to present scientific results and to formulate research conclusions based on research supported evidence and the obligation to present research-evidence supported information to the scientific community and general public. (P8S_KO) K_04- understanding of the importance of experimental research repeatability and verifiability tested by independent scientists in independent experimental setups. (P8S_KO) K_05- understanding of the differences among research-evidence supported conclusions, research-supported hypothesis making, speculations made by scientific experts, popular opinions spread in public media. (P8S_KO)

Observation/demonstration teaching methods

- display

Expository teaching methods

- problem-based lecture
- informative (conventional) lecture
- discussion

Course coordinators

Iwona Gorczyńska

Assessment criteria

Assessment of knowledge (W_01-W_05) via a test after the completion of the course.
GRADING CRITERIA
[92; 100]% - bdb (excellent)
[84; 92)% - db+ (very good)
[76; 84)% - db (good)
[68; 76)% - dst+ (satisfactory)
[60; 68)% - dst (minimum)
[0; 60)% - ndst (failed)

Bibliography

Literature is provided by the lecturers in the course materials in Moodle.

Notes

Term 2025/26:

Coruse schedule
Dec. 2nd, 2025, 14:00 - 17:00, room A.0.36, lecturer: dr hab. Iwona Gorczynska, prof. UMK
Dec. 3nd, 2025, 14:00 - 17:00, room C.1.10, lecturer: dr hab. Iwona Gorczynska, prof. UMK
Dec. 11th, 2025, 15:00 - 18:00, room A.0.36, lecturer: prof. dr hab. Daniel Lisak
Dec. 18th, 2025, 15:00 - 18:00, room A.0.36, lecturer: prof. dr hab. Daniel Lisak
January 2026, lecturer: dr hab. Piotr Kolenderski, prof. UMK
February/March 2026, lecturer: dr hab. Kamil Fedus, prof. UMK
March 2026, lecturer: dr hab. Łukasz Kłosowski, prof. UMK

Additional information

Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system:

Description of 7404-WF-NOTEKS in USOSweb