Course description
The course gives a theoretical background to the most common measurement methods and instruments used in a typcial physics laboratory. This includes spectrum analyzers, lock in and instrument amplifiers, filters, correlation and PID controllers. An important part of the course is discetizing and digitalizing of analog signals (the discrete Fourier transform and analog-to-digital converters) and the data sample as a stochastic variable.
We investigate how transmission lines affect the sample (characteristic impedance, rise time/ bandwidth), we define 'common mode' and 'normal mode' signals, the concpets of CMRR (Common Mode Rejection Ratio) and SNR (Signal-to-Noise Ratio). We also cover basic sensor techniques and basic PID control theory. The theory is based mostly on transforms (Fourier, Laplace and z) and statistics (most of all the t distribution and error propagation, the orthogonality principle and curve fitting) and we will learn how to make an 'uncertainty budget' (according to the 'GUM' document) in order to find the measurement accuracy.
In the hands-on laborations, the student will, for example, measure ECG, perform spectral analysis, use a lock in amplifier, perform TDR measurements (Time Domain Reflectometry) and investigate different noise reduction techniques.
Requirements and Selection
Entry requirements
Accepted to a PhD program in Science.
Selection
The course is primarily offered to PhD students from the Faculty of Science at the University of Gothenburg meeting the entry requirements. Depending on the number of applicants, qualified graduate students from other faculties/universities may also be accepted.
Other information
The course consists of two parts; a theoretical part that is assessed with a written exam and a hands-on part that is assessed by completed lab exercises.
Literature list:
Bengtsson, L., Electrical Measurement Techniques – for the physics laboratory. Springer, 2024. ISBN: 978-981-99-8186-1.
https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-981-99-8187-8
Additional material will be distributed on the course website on CANVAS.
Link to website
https://canvas.gu.se/courses/85302/assignments/syllabus
Course syllabus
NFFY310
Reading and reference list
Reading and reference list for the course
Department
Department of Physics
Subject
Natural Science and Mathematics
Type of course
Subject area course
Keywords
Aliasing, Analog-to-Digital Conversion, Characteristic impedance, CMRR, Correlation, Electrical measurement, Filter, Fourier transform, Instrument amplifier, Interference de-coupling, Leakage, Lock in amplifier, Sampling, Sensor, SNR, Spectral analysis, Standard error, t distribution, Time-to-Digital conversion, Transmission line, Uncertainty budget