Topic outline

  • The Advanced Physics Laboratory (APL) course includes a variety of exercises on various physical phenomena. The goal is to have some practical measurement sessions among theoretical lecture courses and to dig deeper into some interesting and timely phenomena. For the latter reason, many of the exercises use active research equipment at the department.

    Additionally, the goal is to practice writing of a concise, clear and coherent report. This is a skill that is needed in special assignments and theses, but also in all real life reporting.

    the APL course offers 6-7 exercises, any three of which must be attended and completed by each student. There will be limited number of positions for each exercise, so that it may be wise to start early in order to make sure that you can complete the course. The six choices are:

    1. Photonic bandgap materials
    2. Boiling phenomena
    3. Quantization of conductance in nanowires
    4. Surface state dispersion of copper with STM
    5. Synthesis and measurement of carbon nanotubes
    6. Optical tweezers
    7. Surface losses of a superconductor in a niobium cavity


    The exercises are given in various physics laboratories in Puumiehenkuja 2 (Nanotalo), Micronova, and Otakaari 1.

    Many exercises utilize to some extent actively-used research equipment of the arranging research group. This poses, regrettably, challenges with timing of the exercises. Hopefully, the benefits of being able to use some cutting-edge equipment overcomes the discomfort.

    Questions regarding a specific exercise: ask the assistant.

    Questions regarding the course: ask the coordinator Juha Tuoriniemi  juha.tuoriniemi(ät)aalto.fi