PRESENTATIONPRESENTATION

 

Brief History

 

The Postgraduate Course in Physics at the Center for Exact and Nature Sciences at the Federal University of Paraíba (UFPB), at the master's level, was created in 1973. At the doctoral level, the course was created in 1980. At the time of the creation of the master's degree, the course had three PhDs in the field of Solid State and a lecturer in the field of Mathematical Physics.
From 1976, with the implementation of the Institutional Plan for Teacher Training (PICD), the Department of Physics (DP) began to invest heavily in the improvement of its teaching staff, removing several professors to pursue a doctorate. With that, from 1979, the development of new research areas began with the return of professors from their doctoral programs in the country and abroad. Then, in the 1980s, research groups were formed in theoretical physics, in the areas of Cosmology and Gravitation, Condensed Matter Physics, Nuclear Physics and Theory of Fields, and Elementary Particles. In the same period, research groups in experimental physics were formed in the areas of Nuclear Physics and Cosmic Radiation.
In 1989, the course had 15 master's scholarships, 7 from CAPES and 8 from CNPq, and a student body of 18 students. In the late 1980s, an average of 20 articles was published in international journals, and 4 dissertations were defended annually. At that time, the course had 20 doctors in theoretical physics and 2 in experimental physics. From 1990, to correct the imbalance between the number of theorists and experimentalists, the Department of Physics developed a plan to establish lines of experimental research, in the area of Quantum Optics, to fulfill this purpose, in 1996, six doctors with training in experimental physics were hired, and the Optics laboratory was implemented.
In the period from 1973 to 1991, there was an increasing increase in master's activities, reaching a total of 32 dissertations defended, which led the Program to receive the concept B in the CAPES evaluation. On the other hand, at the end of 1991, the doctorate, which was created in 1980, had only 3 completed theses and the CAPES D concept. As a result of this evaluation, in 1993, a plan for the recovery of the doctorate course was prepared, which received, as an incentive, the initial quota of 4 CAPES scholarships.
Since then, the postgraduate program in Physics, with master’s and doctoral courses, has shown quantitative and qualitative growth, in terms of the production of scientific papers and the training of students. Currently, master's and doctoral courses have a CAPES concept 5.
Currently, the permanent teaching staff is formed by 27 doctors, of which 25 are theoretical, and 2 are experimental, of which 25 have research productivity grants from CNPq. The areas of activity of these professors are Condensed Matter Physics, Atomic and Molecular Physics, Physics of Elementary Particles and Fields, Gravitation and Cosmology, Nuclear Physics, Atomic and Molecular Physics, Magnetism, and Optics. Two of our professors are editors of international scientific journals.
At the end of the base year of 2019, our student body consisted of 74 students, 19 of whom were from the master’s and 55 from the doctorate. The total number of scholarships was 64, 19 for the master's and 45 for the doctorate, and some postdoctoral scholarships.
In 2019, 125 articles were published in journals with Qualis, 8 theses and 8 dissertations were advised.

 

Objectives and Future Perspectives In 2019, the Postgraduate Program in Physics at UFPB completed 46 years of its creation. During these years, the Program has contributed strongly to the development of Physics in the Northeast and Brazil. The Postgraduate Program in Physics has as its main objective the training of human resources at the master’s and doctorate levels, qualified for teaching, and research in the areas of Physics that comprise it. Nowadays, this program is well established, with strong international and national insertion in its areas of operation. As a result, most of the master's and doctoral dissertations have resulted in scientific publications in indexed journals, and the graduates of the Program have taken on teaching positions in various Higher Education Institutions in the country. It is within this context that we must discuss the prospects for the evolution of our Program.
Thus, while it is strongly proposed, in some areas of knowledge, that gradual elimination of the master's phase occurs in the process of training the researcher/professor, due to the maturity of the area, we believe that this trend should not yet be predominant in the case of our Program. We must maintain the master's degree, and, concomitantly, we must reinforce our already consolidated doctorate, seeking institutional support for the Program as a whole. It is worth mentioning that the average degree time of graduates has been decreasing because of a policy that seeks to optimize the financial resources of the Program while emphasizing the academic quality of courses and research. Much of our teaching staff is made up of CNPQ level 1 researchers.
The program's policy has been to increase the number of experimental researchers and to strengthen the experimental lines. The recent effort for professors in the experimental field and their students to do research with good density and at a good level can be measured by the number of projects submitted for this purpose, with the raising of more than R$ 4 million through PROINFRA/FINEP, in recent years, besides the resources via CAPES Pro-equipment.
The Program has invested heavily in international insertion, by signing several cooperation agreements with institutions from countries in Europe and the United States, as well as stimulating collaboration agreements directly between researchers.

 

Graduate profile
We train masters and doctors in theoretical and experimental physics. The graduate is trained to act as a professor at different levels of education. In basic education and higher education institutions, as well as in scientific research institutions.

 

Curricular Structure
The Postgraduate Program in Physics includes the master’s and doctorate levels. The levels are autonomous and distinct, and the master’s degree may constitute an initial stage for the Doctorate. The Program's curricular structure is organized as follows:

A) Compulsory Components:
The subjects Quantum Mechanics I, Classical Electrodynamics I, and Statistical Mechanics, all of 60 hours (4 credits), are compulsory and complete a total of 12 credits, which the Master student must necessarily fulfill. For doctoral students, Quantum Mechanics II is also added, also 60 hours (4 credits).
Besides the compulsory subjects, the following components are also compulsory: Teaching Internship (1 semester for the master’s and 2 semesters for doctorate); Colloquium cycles of 01 credit (2 semesters for the master's and 4 semesters for the doctorate). 

B) Elective Components:
Quantum Mechanics II is an elective course for master’s students. The subjects, listed below, all of 60 hours (4 credits), are elective for all students: Classical Field Theory, Classical Field Theory, Quantum Field Theory I and II, Field Theory in Curved Spaces, Introduction to Elementary Particle Physics, Elementary Particles Physics I and II, Particle Physics of the Early Universe, Topological Defects I and II, Group Theory, Supersymmetry, Classical Electrodynamics II, Solid State, Field Theory of Condensed Matter Systems, Atom-Surface Interaction: Quantum Adsorption, Representation in the Quantum Mechanics Phase Space, Phase Transitions and Critical Phenomena, Soft Condensed Matter, Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos, Stochastic Dynamics, Introduction to Granular Media Physics, Nonlinear Impulses in Granular Media, Introduction to Fluid Dynamics, Introduction to Biological Physics, Computational Methods in Physics, Quantum Theory of Many Bodies, Superfluidity and Superconductivity, Lasers Physics, Fourier Optics, Light Scattering by Small Particles, Nonlinear Optics I and II, Introduction to Spectroscopy, Quantum Optics, Matter-Radiation Interaction, Quantum Computing and Information, Atomic Physics, Differential Geometry, General Relativity I and Mathematical Cosmology, Physical Cosmology, Geometric Methods of Gravitation, Nuclear Physics, Nuclear Structure, Advanced Mechanics, Functional Analysis, Special Topics in Contemporary Physics I and II.
The number of credits to complete the master’s and doctorate is 23 and 36 credits, respectively. Also, until the end of the first year in the course, the Doctorate student is required to take a qualification exam that addresses the three compulsory subjects for the master's degree, described in item A above. Also, each student must perform a proficiency test in English and, in the doctorate, in another foreign language. International students must take the Portuguese language proficiency exam and a second language other than their native.
Students conclude their courses with the public defense of a dissertation, for a master's degree, and an original thesis for a doctorate, submitted to the public exam, evaluated by an Examining Board of 3 and 5 members, respectively. To prepare the dissertation or thesis, the student is advised by a professor from the teaching staff of the Program. To request the defense of the thesis, the doctoral candidate is required to have published a scientific article on the topic of the thesis in a journal with either A or B qualis.

 

Infrastructure

The UFPB's Department of Physics has in its facilities the Atomic Physics and Lasers and Optical Spectroscopy laboratories, already consolidated and the Lasers Spectroscopy and Non-Linear Dynamics and Chaos laboratories, in the initial phase of operation, the magnetism laboratory in the implementation phase, and two technical workshops, electronics and mechanics.
The situation of research laboratories has improved significantly due to the contribution of financial resources from development agencies. All the experimental research that we do is already carried out within our laboratories. Besides, researchers from the Program are maintaining an intense collaboration with national and international experimental groups.

Recently, the PPGF was awarded a proposal from PROINFRA/FINEP in 2010, 2011, and 2012 for the construction of new research laboratories and equipment acquisition, which reach figures of six million reais, budgeted between the equipment and civil construction. It also participates in a newly set up characterization laboratory, which aggregates several experimental techniques along with several UFPB Programs.

We also point out that the computational infrastructure received a contribution from a cluster of 100 processors via a joint project with the Chemistry Program at UFPB, through the CAPES Pro-equipment program. The computational infrastructure has aggregated several high-performance machines acquired within the Nano INCT, based at UFMG. The IT resources available to researchers and students in the program have improved considerably due to resources coming from universal notices, PRONEX, CNPq/PADCT/FINEP, and INCT. All professors have a good computational infrastructure, with individual computers, an internal computer network with a server based on LINUX and Windows operating systems, and their e-mail server.

Master’s and Doctorate students, in turn, have individual computers, and those working with computer simulation have at their disposal an exclusive computer lab with high-performance computers, printers, access to the internal network, the Internet, and the entire computational infrastructure necessary. The entire department already has a Wireless Network infrastructure for internet access.

Recently, we received a 1,500 square meter building, which already houses the UFPB Physics Postgraduate Course, improving the infrastructure of offices, computer simulation laboratory, seminars, and classrooms, and two auditoriums.
Still, using resources from CT-INFRA/FINEP, our experimental research laboratories are under renovation, for modernization and expansion, and a new building with offices is under construction next to the laboratory building, which will total more than 900 square meters of physical space, for experimental physics.

 

National and International Exchanges

Our research groups maintain systematic scientific collaboration with researchers from the following HEIs: USP, UFRJ, UFES, UFG, UFBA, UFAL, UFPE, UFCG, UFRN, UFC, UFMA, UEPB, IFET-MA, throughscientific visits.

Our professors have frequently participated in examining boards for dissertations and theses, and organizing committees for national events, congresses, workshops, and schools, such as the National Meetings committees in the areas of Particles and Fields and Condensed Matter.

As a complementary academic activity, we maintain the weekly departmental colloquiums (35 annual sessions), with the presence of HEI professionals abroad and mini-courses taught by professors from other HEIs, national and international. Providing our students with access and information sharing and collaboration.

We also exchange with other national institutions through the development of joint projects, PROCAD, UNIVERSAL, etc. The CAPES/NANOBIOTEC project, which brings together researchers from UFC, UFRN, and UFPB universities in the area of Nanotechnology and applications and Biology, is currently highlighted.

International exchanges take place through scientific collaboration agreements and projects and participation in the organization of international scientific events, in the country and abroad, such as workshops, schools, and congresses.

At the level of international agreements, we highlight:

a) academic cooperation agreement with ICRA-Net, International Center for Relativistic and Astrophysics Network, based in Rome, Italy, joining an international scientific exchange network. The agreement was established in 2013 (http://www.icranet.org/).

b) scientific cooperation agreement with the Centre de Physique Théorique, Université de Aix-Marseille,  France, established since 2011. 

In terms of international projects, we highlight:

a) FAMAF/UNC - Argentina project with student exchange and CAPES COFECUB, which provides an exchange between researchers from the Optics group of this institution and French researchers with the result of several published works and presentations at scientific events in the area.

b) CNPq/MICINN Spain project, which, besides scientific work visits, currently maintains one of our former students as a postdoc student and a student in a sandwich doctorate at the Laboratório de Ciência de los Materiales in Madrid.

c) A collaborative project of members of our program in the fields of experimental and theoretical physics with the Weizmann Institute in Israel. This program, based on the agreement signed between CAPES and the Weizmann Institute of Science, aims to deepen academic and scientific cooperation between Brazilian and Israeli research groups, support the development of joint research projects, and promote the mobility of researchers and doctoral and postdoctoral students. The agreement was established in 2012.
We also participate in two INCTS programs: carbon nanomaterials and complex fluids. It should be noted that the program has several international students from countries in South America with CLAF/CNPQ scholarships.

 

Concentration Areas

Condensed Matter Physics

It aims to study the properties of materials in their various phases. Emphasis on soft condensed matter and biological physics complex fluids, granular media, and geometric modeling of materials with topological defects. Time-dependent quantum systems are also investigated.

Physics of Elementary Particles and Fields

It aims to describe the elementary constituents of nature and their interactions through the theoretical formalism of field theory and the phenomenology of particles, as well as to build theoretical and phenomenological models in addition to the Standard Model of fundamental interactions and to investigate problems of Cosmology of the Primordial Universe.

Nuclear Physics

It studies the structure of nuclei and mechanisms of nuclear reactions in general with applications in astrophysics.

Gravitation and CosmologyIt aims to study:

the various aspects of gravitational interaction and make applications to understand the origin and evolution of the Universe; quantum fluctuations associated with fields of matter, induced by the presence of topological defects.

Atomic and Molecular Physics

It uses experimental techniques in the basic research of Atomic and Molecular Physics. Its main lines of research are: Optical Traps and Studies of the Atom-Surface Interaction, Atomic Spectroscopy in Knudsen's Regime, Reflection Spectroscopy, and the Interaction between Neutral Atoms and Dielectric Surfaces.Subarea: Nonlinear DynamicsIt aims to study, theoretically and experimentally, systems whose mathematical descriptions obey nonlinear relationships.

Optics 

It aims to study theoretically and experimentally nonlinear effects, such as laser action, the generation of second harmonic, and the mixing of waves. Also, we are interested in the development of optical instrumentation based on interferometric processes for metrological applications. Lines of Research: Lasers, Nonlinear Optics, Optical Instrumentation.

 

 

ACADEMIC STRUCTURE

 

Compulsory Subjects

SUBJECT IDENTIFICATION COURSE LOAD (*)

Classical Electrodynamics I 60

Quantum Mechanics I 60

Statistical Mechanics 60

Quantum Mechanics II (Doctorate) 60

Elective Subjects

SUBJECT IDENTIFICATION COURSE LOAD

Classical Field Theory 60

Quantum Field Theory I 60

Quantum Field Theory II 60

Field Theory in Curved Spaces 60

Introduction to Elementary Particle Physics 60

Elementary Particle Physics I 60

Elementary Particle Physics II 60

Particle Physics of the Early Universe 60

Topological Defects I 60

Topological Defects II 60

Group Theory 60

Supersymmetry 60

Classical Electrodynamics II 60

Solid State 60

Field Theory of Condensed Matter Systems 60

Atom-Surface Interaction: Quantum Adsorption 60

Representation in the Quantum Mechanics Phase Space 60

Phase Transitions and Critical Phenomena 60

Soft Condensed Matter 60

Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos 60

Stochastic Dynamics 60

Introduction to Granular Media Physics 60

Nonlinear Impulses in Granular Media 60

Introduction to Fluid Dynamics 60

Introduction to Biological Physics 60

Computational Methods in Physics 60

Quantum Theory of Many Bodies 60 
Superfluidity and Superconductivity 60

Laser Physics 60

Fourier optics 60

Light Scattering by Small Particles 60

Nonlinear Optics I 60

Nonlinear Optics II 60

Introduction to Spectroscopy 60

Quantum Optics 60

Matter-Radiation Interaction 60

Quantum Computing and Information 60

Atomic Physics 60

Differential Geometry 60

General Relativity I 60

General Relativity II 60

Mathematical Cosmology 60

Physical Cosmology 60

Geometric Methods of Gravitation 60

Nuclear Physics 60

Nuclear Structure 60

Advanced Mechanics 60

Functional Analysis 60

Special Topics in Contemporary Physics I 30

Special Topics in Contemporary Physics II 60

Compulsory Academic ActivitiesACTIVITY IDENTIFICATION COURSE LOAD(*)

Teaching Internship

30

Physics Colloquium Cycle

15