G.D. Rochester became Head of the Physics Department in 1955. He arrived from Manchester, bringing with him J. Major and Apostolakis, with A.W. Wolfendale following a year later. Together they developed a Cosmic Ray School in Durham, a subject that would be the focus of Durham Physics for many years to come. Wolfendale himself had previously received an offer to study in Durham on the 'Physics in Radio' course, but he had declined, not able to fathom who would want to live in 'a place like that'. Once he did eventually make it to Durham, Wolfendale remained there for the rest of his life, taking up the role of Head of Department for three separate terms.
The Rochester Building began construction in 1960, with Rochester himself contributing much to the design of the interior of the structure. With the Dawson Building already getting crowded, temporary huts had been constructed to house labs around the Science Site, but these would be replaced with a new building dedicated only to Physics for the first time. A year later, in 1961, the Rochester Building was fully inhabited. The new Department of Applied Physics also moved into the building, with the two departments remaining as separate entities until the early 1990s.
Previously, Science had been taught in Newcastle and Arts in Durham. Now that there was science and arts in both, the universities split into two. Within a year, there was an explosion of Theoretical Physics students applying to Durham University, far more than Experimental Physics.
In this year, Brian Bransden became the first Professor of Theoretical Physics. It was also clear that an interest had re-arisen in astrophysics, as Cosmic Ray Physics pointed to the skies. See the Origins of Science at Newcastle.
Give an account of the theory of low-loss transmission lines with particular reference to the relation between the input impedance and the length of the line for various types of terminal load. Explain how observations on the voltage distribution along a line may be used to ascertain the properties of a terminal load.
A condenser of capacitance C is charged by a voltage V and is then allowed to discharge through a resistance R until the current through R has fallen to a value I. Find the value of R which makes the time during which the current flows a maximum.
Outline the main features of the liquid drop model of the nucleus and give a qualitative explanation of the masses of stable nuclei and the energetics of beta decay.
Discuss the energy dependence of the cross-section for nuclear reactions, bringing out the significance of the Breit-Wigner formula.
Give an account of measurements of the electricity carried by precipitation. How is this related to other parameters of atmospheric electricity.
When a magnetic field is applied to a metal or semi-conductor it results in the formation of Landau levels in the allowed electron bands in the material. Outline how this occurs and describe the nature of these levels.
Discuss the problem of decay of the kaons. Give the decay products and their life times. Elaborate on the decay of the neutral kaons.
Define the terms thrust and specific impulse as applied to rocket propulsion.
What considerations govern the choice of propellants at the present time? Discuss the requirements of the future and ways in which they might be realised.
Discuss and explain the conditions for breakdown between parallel plane metallic electrodes:
(a) in high vacuum;
(b) in low pressure gas
(c) in moderate pressure gas
(d) in gas at about atmospheric pressure
State how the effective mass of an electron in a solid is defined and indicate how this varies across a band. Describe how effective masses may be measured by cyclotron resonance techniques.
Compare the piezoelectric and atomic clock methods of obtaining frequency standards.
Alan Martin talks about his experience of arriving in the department in 1963, how it needed to recruit more students to survive and the changes made the following year.
Find out how Cosmic Ray and Nuclear Physics reached its peak in the late 1960s at Durham.
See how the Rochester Building altered over time
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