Spring 2007 Physics 425/625: Quantum
Theory
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Location: Room 1311 HN Lecture Times: Tu and Th:
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Instructor: Neepa Maitra
Note: email is the best way to reach me Office hours: Tu and Th: |
Text: Quantum Mechanics, by
B.H. Bransden and C.J. Joachain
(2nd Ed), (Prentice-Hall Pearson, 2000).
Supplementary
texts (you can borrow from me), include Introduction to Quantum Mechanics
by Griffiths, Quantum Mechanics by Merzbacher,
and the first volume of Quantum Mechanics by Cohen-Tannoudji,
Diu, Laloe.
Grading:
ü Homework 25%
ü Midterm Exams 40%
ü Final Exam 35%
Homework: Will be assigned about
every two weeks, and due about a week later. Collaboration with your peers is
encouraged, but independent solutions must be handed in for credit. Homeworks will be posted here.
Midterms: Two mid-term in-class exams:
Thu Mar 8 and Thu Apr 19 (Probably).
Final Exam: Tues May 22,
Syllabus: on reverse side
·
In compliance with the American Disability Act of
1990 (ADA) and with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Hunter
College is committed to ensuring educational parity and accommodations for all
students with documented disabilities and/or medical conditions. It is
recommended that all students with documented disabilities (Emotional, Medical,
Physical and/ or Learning) consult the Office of AccessABILITY
located in Room E1124 to secure necessary academic accommodations. For
further information and assistance please call (212- 772- 4857)/TTY (212- 650-
3230).
·
Neepa Maitra, Assistant
Professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Hunter College and City
University of New York, January 2007.
Syllabus:
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Topic |
Book
chapter |
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The origins of quantum theory Blackbody radiation,
photoelectric effect, Compton effect, atomic spectra, Bohr model, Stern-Gerlach expt, de Broglie waves |
1 |
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The wave function and the uncertainty principle Wave-particle duality, wavefunction and interpretation, free-particle wavefunction, wave packets, Heisenberg’s
uncertainty principle |
2 |
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The Schroedinger equation Time-dependent S.E.,
probability conservation, operators and expectation values, Ehrenfest theorem,
time-independent S.E., stationary states, energy quantization and eigenfunctions, time-dependent wavefunctions
in a static potential, other representations – momentum space. |
3 |
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One-dimensional examples General formulae,
reflection and transmission coefficients, free particle, potential step,
barrier, infinite square well, linear harmonic oscillator, periodic
potential. |
4 |
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Formalism and axioms of quantum mechanics Wave function as state, Dirac bra(c)ket notation,
operators, expansions in eigenfunctions, commuting
observables and compatibility, relation with uncertainty principle, unitary
transformations, matrix representations, Schroedinger
eqn for time evolution, Schroedinger
vs Heisenberg pictures, path integrals, symmetry
principles and conservation laws, classical
(and semi-classical) limit |
5 |
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Angular momentum and spin Orbital, eigenvalues and eigenfunctions
of ang. mom, spin, spin
one-half, general and total ang. mom. |
6 |
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Three-dimensional Schroedinger
equation Cartesian coordinates,
central potentials, spherical polar coordinates, free particle, 3D square
well, hydrogen atom, 3D isotropic oscillator |
7 |
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Approximation Methods: stationary problems Time-independent
perturbation theory – non-degenerate and degenerate, atomic fine
structure, variational method, WKB |
8 |
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Approximation Methods: time-dependent problems Time-dependent perturbation
theory, static perturbation, periodic pert, Fermi’s golden rule,
adiabatic approx, sudden approx, Stark effect |
9 |
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Extra topics if time Measurement and
interpretation – EPR paradox and |
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