PHYSICS 517       Quantum Mechanics   2007

LECTURE SCHEDULE

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

 

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


Week  Lect  Date  Topics  Reading+Homework
1  1-3  Sept. 26-Sept 28
  • Introduction 
  • Two-Slits Experiment
  • Stern-Gurlach Experiment
    		•  Read : 1.1
    HMWK 1 :
    Solutions 1
    2  4-6  Oct. 1-5
  • Linear Vector Spaces
  • kets, bras, operators
  • Projectors
    		•  Read : 1.2 , 1.3

    HMWK 2 :
    Solutions 2
    3  7-9  Oct. 8-12
  • Matrix Representations
  • Measurements
  • (In)Compatible Observables
  • Uncertainty Principle
    		•  Read : 1.3 , 1.4

    HMWK 3 :
    Solutions 3 
    4  10-12  Oct. 15-19
  • Change of Basis
  • Continuous Spectra
  • Position Eigenkets
  • Translation Operator
  • Momentum
  • Position-Momentum Uncertainty
    		•  Read : 1.5 , 1.6

    HMWK 4 :
    Solutions 4 
    5  13-15 Oct. 22-Oct. 26
  • Wavefunctions
  • Gaussian Wavepackets
  • Commutation Relations
  • Mixed States and Density Matrices
    		•  Read : 1.7 , 3.4 , 2.1 , 2.2

    HMWK 5 :
    Solutions 5
    6  16-18 Oct. 29 - Nov 2
    Midterm exam Friday Nov 2
  • Density Matrices
  • Time Evolution
  • Spin 1/2 system in a B-field
  • Schrodinger verses Heisenberg picture
  • Time-dep of operators and matrix elements
  • Ehrenfests theorem
  • 1-dim wave mechanics

    		•  Read : 2.1 , 2.2 , 2.4

    HMWK 6
    Solutions 6


    Midterm Solutions
    7  19-20 Nov. 5-9

    		 1-dim wave mechanics
    step potential
    WKB leading order
    S-matrix
    Infinite square well potential
    Finite square well

     HMWK 7
    Solutions 7 
    8  21-23 Nov. 12-16
    Mon Nov12 = Holiday
  • 1-dim Harmonic Oscillator
  • Annihilation and Creation Operators
  • Analytic Structure of S-matrix
    		•  HMWK 8
    Solutions 8
    9  24-25 Nov. 19-23
    Thurs, Fri (Nov 22, 23) = holidays

    10 26-28 Nov. 26 - 30
    		 Analytic structure of S-matrix
    Time-Delays and Phase-Shifts
    Propagators
    Path Integrals
    		  HMWK 9
    Solutions 9

      11    		  29-30 Dec. 3-7 Entangled States
    EPR Paradox
    		  
    12 
    		  
    Finals Week : Dec. 10-14
    Final Exam
    10:30-12:20 a.m  Wednesday, Dec. 12
    		    

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