PHYSICS 517       Quantum Mechanics   2001

LECTURE SCHEDULE

Reading assignments are in:     Modern Quantum Mechanics   by J. J. Sakurai

 

[ Note: This schedule may change as the quarter develops ]


Week  Lect  Date  Topics  Reading+Homework
1  1-4  Oct. 1-5
  • Introduction 
  • Two-Slits Experiment
  • Stern-Gurlach Experiment
  • Linear Vector Spaces
  • kets, bras, operators
    		•
  • Read : 1.1, 1.2, 1.3   (Sakurai)
  • HMWK 1 distributed Friday, due Oct 12.
    		•
    2  5-8  Oct. 8-12
  • Projectors
  • Matrix Representations
  • Measurements
  • (In)Compatible Observables
  • Uncertainty Principle
  • Change of Basis
  • Continuous Spectra
  • Position Eigenkets
  • Translation Operator
    		•
  • Read : 1.4, 1.5  (Sakurai)
    		•
    3  9-12  Oct. 15-19
  •  Translation Continued
  • Momentum
  • Position-Momentum Uncertainty
    		•
  • Read : 1.6   (Sakurai)
  • HMWK 2 distributed Monday due Oct 24.
    		•
    4  13-16  Oct. 22-26
  • Wavefunctions
  • Gaussian Wave-packets
  • Commutation Relations
  • Mixed States and Density Matrices
  • Time-Evolution
    		•  Read : 1.7, 2.1 ,  pages 174->181 (Sakurai) 
    5  17-20 Oct. 29-Nov. 2
  •  Time Evolution
  • Spin 1/2 system in a B-field
  • Schrodinger verses Heisenberg ``Pictures''
  • Time dependence of operators and matrix elements, Ehrenfests theorem
  • 1-dim wave mechanics
    		•  Read : 2.1, 2.2 (Sakurai)
    HMWK 3 distributed Wednesday due Nov. 7.
    6 21-24 Nov. 5-9
  •  1-dim wave mechanics
  • Infinite and Finite square wells
  • Leading Order WKB
    		•  Read :  2.4 (up to WKB) (Sakurai)
    HMWK 4 distributed Wednesday, due 
    Nov 14.
    7  25-26 Nov. 12-16
    Monday Nov 12 = holiday 
        Wednesday Nov 14 = Midterm
  • 1-dim Harmonic Oscillator
  • Annihilation and Creation Operators
    		•  Read : 2.3 (Sakurai)
    HMWK 5 distributed Friday,
    due Friday Nov. 30.
    8 27-29 Nov. 19-23

    Thurs, Fri (Nov 22, 23) = holidays
  •  Time-Dependence of a 
  • Analytic Structure of Scattering Amplitude
  • Time-Delays and Phase-Shifts
  • Higher-Order WKB
  • Green Functions, Propagators
    		•  Read :  2.3, 2.4 and 2.5 (Sakurai)
    9  30-33 Nov. 26-30
  • Coherent States
  • Squeezed States
  • Path Integrals
    		•  HMWK 6 distributed Friday
    10 34-36 Dec. 3-7
  • More Green Functions and Propagators
  • Path Integrals
  • V(x) = F.x
  • V(x) = 1/2 k x^2
  • Potentials in Quantum Mechanics
    		•  Read : 2.3, 2.4, 2.5 and 2.6 (Sakurai)

      11    		  37-39 Dec. 10-12
  • U(1) Symmetry and Electrodynamics
  • Ahronov-Bohm Effect
  • SU(2) Symmetry
    		•  Read : 2.6 (Sakurai)
    12
    		  
    Finals Week : Dec. 12-20
    Final Exam
    8:30-10:20 a.m  Friday, Dec. 14
    		    

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