Download PH5015 - Applications of Quantum Physics

PH5015 – Applications of Quantum Physics
PH5015 - Applications of Quantum Physics
Credits:
Number of Lectures:
Academic Year:
15.0
27
2016-17
Semester:
Lecturer:
1
Dr Donatella Cassettari and Dr Michael Mazilu
Overview
Quantum mechanics remains one of the most powerful but one of the least understood theories in
physics. Typically students gain a good grounding in the theoretical and philosophical aspects of
this topic but relatively little exposure to how quantum physics may be implemented in the laboratory and
how important key applications are likely to be in future. The aim of the course is to build upon
students' knowledge of quantum physics and atomic physics to demonstrate how we can perform
quantum mechanics on atoms, ions and photons in the laboratory.
Aims & Objectives
Learning Outcomes
In the first half of the module students should gain a detailed understanding of
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
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Laser cooling and Bose-Einstein condensation, Fermi gas production - Experimental tests of
quantum mechanics in quantum gases
Laser cooling of ions
The latest experimental techniques to develop cold quantum gases
In the second half of the module students should gain a detailed understanding of
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
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photon statistics
observations of nonclassical light - quantum cryptography
single photon sources
This knowledge and understanding is intended to allow students to appreciate and work with physical
principles behind experiments using quantum physics using atoms, ions, and photons. They should
be able to apply this knowledge to real world problems. They should be able to comment on and
evaluate the opportunities and limitations offered by atoms, ions, and photons in quantum physics
experiments, and in particular be able to judge the applicability of various systems for experiments in
this field. They should be able to use their understanding of the links between the quantum and
classical worlds to aid their design of experiments.
Synopsis
The course begins with laser cooling and Bose-Einstein condensation (BEC) explaining basic laser
cooling and experimental methods, Doppler theory, sub Doppler cooling, and magneto-optical traps.
Quantum mechanical complementarity (which-way experiments). Evaporative cooling, magnetic trapping.
Signatures of BEC and Fermi gases. Matter wave interference. Wave-particle duality studies.
Charged ion trapping. Studies of laser cooled ions in traps. Quantum jumps. Atom lasers.
The second half of the course explores the statistics of light: coherence. First and second order
correlation functions. Chaotic light, coherent light. Photon statistics. Sub and super Poissonian light.
Photon bunching and antibunching. Quantum cryptography. Entangled states. Single photon sources.
Pre-requisites
PH2011, PH2012, MT2001 or (MT2501 and MT2503), (PH3081 or PH3082 or [MT2003 or
(MT2506 and MT2507)]), PH3061, PH3062
Anti-requisites
None
Assessment
Continuous Assessment = 20%, 2 Hour Examination = 80%
Additional information on continuous assessment etc
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PH5015 – Applications of Quantum Physics
Please note that the definitive comments on continuous assessment will be communicated within the
module. This section is intended to give an indication of the likely breakdown and timing of the
continuous assessment.
5% of the module mark comes from each of two sets of work on tutorial sheet questions. The likely
hand-in times are in week 7 and week 9. In the later parts of the semester students will choose a
relevant scientific paper to read and to write a “News and Views” article about it in a style similar to
that seen in the journal “Nature” plus an associated presentation shortly afterwards. This contributes
10% to the module mark and is due in week 10.
Recommended Books
Please view University online record:
http://resourcelists.st-andrews.ac.uk/modules/ph5015.html
General Information
Please also read the general information in the School's honours handbook.
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