Download Course Syllabus

Physics 411
Syllabus
Textbook:
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M. Le Bellac, Quantum Physics
Reference book:
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C. Cohen-Tannoudji et al., Quantum Mechanics, Vol. 1 — This book contains many
important problems worked out in great detail.
Note: I always recommend the Feynman Lectures on Physics, Vol. 3, as a most beautiful,
illuminating source of Quantum Mechanics at an “elementary” level. Volume 3 of the
Feynman Lectures represents a famous experiment at teaching Quantum Mechanics
“correctly” at the sophomore level. In addition, the old Berkeley Physics Course, Vol. 4,
Quantum Physics, is a must-read piece for those who have not been trained to think about
basic things such as orders of magnitude, qualitative reasoning, and other key aspects of
“thinking like a physicist!”
Overview of the course:
◊
Introduction: The Quantum Mechanical way of thinking about nature at the
microscopic level. This first lecture condenses the essence of key empirical evidence
stemming from the Stern-Gerlach experiment and from a “thought experiment”
involving electron diffraction in a two-slit set-up.
◊
The mathematics (or “language”) of quantum mechanics: Dirac notation — bras,
kets, operators, matrix elements, etc. (Roughly, this material corresponds to Le
Bellac, Chapter 2.)
◊
“Polarization” of photons and spin ½ particles. These are the simplest non-trivial
quantum mechanical systems, displaying the essence of quantum mechanics in a
striking way. The postulates of quantum mechanics are introduced in a heuristic way.
(Roughly, this material corresponds to Le Bellac, Chapter 3.)
◊
The postulates of Quantum Mechanics: Probability amplitudes, probabilities, mean
values, the measurement process, the Heisenberg uncertainty “principle.” The
Schrödinger equation and time evolution. (Roughly, this material corresponds to Le
Bellac, Chapter 4.)
◊
Systems with a finite number of states. Elementary quantum chemistry. Chemical
bonding by electron sharing. Spin 1/2 and other two-level systems. Nuclear
magnetic resonance. The ammonia molecule and the maser effect. The phenomena to
be considered display the beauty and practical importance of Quantum Mechanics.
(Roughly, this material corresponds to Le Bellac, Chapter 5.)
◊
Wave mechanics. Bound states for simple potentials. The harmonic oscillator. The
tunnel effect and applications. Time evolution of the wave function. The Fermi
Golden Rule. (Roughly, this material corresponds to Le Bellac, Chapter 9.)
◊
Introduction to the theory of entangled states. Quantum cryptography and quantum
teleportation. This material is covered in Chapter 6 of Le Ballac’s book, but our
treatment will be more elementary.
Any topic from the above outline which is not covered in the Fall semester will be covered in
the Spring semester. The Physics 411-412 sequence is really one course (one subject),
partitioned into two because of “practical” reasons.
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A proper comprehension of Quantum Mechanics is a necessary (but not sufficient!) condition
for a successful research career in just about any area of physics of current interest. Thus, in
doing physics, you will find that you will use Quantum Mechanics “all the time.”
Homework will be assigned about once a week. It is extremely important that you view
each assignment as a challenge for your understanding of the subject. Attack your
homework individually, and as soon as possible. Don’t wait until the day before the
assignment is due to start thinking about it —you would not learn much. I recommend that
you ask for help from me, or from a classmate, only after you think about your question for a
while. But to that end, you need to give yourself quality time to think!
Office hours: TBA.
There will be a “mid-term” and a final exam.
Course Credit: 40% final; 30% final; 30% homework.
Note: Both exams (mid-term and final) will reflect rather closely the material covered in
homework assignments, and in my lectures; there will be no “surprises.” So, in practice, the
Homework counts much more than the above rather articial partition of the overall credit.
By doing the homework well you will not only learn the subject (which is the main point),
but that you can expect to perform well in the exams! I emphasize that you should
concentrate, on a daily basis, on learning the subject, with your effort, and my help. Your
grade will take care of itself if you understand (as oppose to memorize) your physics!
Professor Adolfo G. Eguiluz
613 Science and Engineering Building
Phone 974-9642
e-mail: [email protected]
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