Undergraduate Course: Foundations of Quantum Mechanics (PHYS09051)
Course Outline
| School | School of Physics and Astronomy |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 9 (Year 3 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 10 |
ECTS Credits | 5 |
| Summary | This course covers fundamentals of quantum mechanics and this applications to atomic and molecular systems. The course includes non-relativistic quantum mechanics, supplying the basic concepts and tools needed to understand the physics of atoms, molecules, and the solid state. One-dimensional wave mechanics is reviewed. The postulates and calculational rules of quantum mechanics are introduced, including Dirac notation. Angular momentum and spin are shown to be quantized, and the corresponding wave-function symmetries are discussed. The eigenvalue equation for the energy is solved for a number of important cases, including the harmonic oscillator and the Hydrogen atom. Approximate methods of solution are studied, including time-independent perturbation theory, with application to atomic structure.
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| Course description |
- Wave mechanics in 1D; wavefunctions and probability; eigenvalues and eigenfunctions; the superposition principle.
- Notions of completeness and orthogonality, illustrated by the infinite 1D well.
- Harmonic oscillator. Parity. Hermitian operators and their properties.
- Postulates of quantum mechanics; correspondence between wavefunctions and states; representation of observables by Hermitian operators; prediction of measurement outcomes; the collapse of the wavefunction.
- Compatible observables; the generalised Uncertainty Principle; the Correspondence Principle; time evolution of states.
- Heisenberg's Equation of Motion. Constants of motion in 3D wave mechanics: separability and degeneracy in 2D and 3D.
- Angular momentum. Orbital angular momentum operators in Cartesian and polar coordinates. Commutation relations and compatibility. Simultaneous eigenfunctions and spherical harmonics. The angular momentum quantum number L and the magnetic quantum number mL.
- Spectroscopic notation. Central potentials and the separation of Schrodinger's equation in spherical polars.
- The hydrogen atom: outline of solution, energy eigenvalues, degeneracy.
- Radial distribution functions, energy eigenfunctions and their properties. Dirac notation.
- Applications of operator methods; the harmonic oscillator by raising and lowering operator methods.
- Angular momentum revisited. Raising and lowering operators and the eigenvalue spectra of J2 and Jz.
- Condon-Shortley phase convention. Matrix representations of the angular momentum operators; the Pauli spin matrices and their properties.
- Properties of J=1/2 systems; the Stern-Gerlach experiment and successive measurements. Regeneration.
- Spin and two-component wavefunctions. The Angular Momentum Addition Theorem stated but not proved. Construction of singlet and triplet spin states for a system of 2 spin-1/2 particles.
- Identical particles. Interchange symmetry illustrated by the helium Hamiltonian. The Spin-Statistics Theorem. Two-electron wavefunctions. The helium atom in the central field approximation: ground-state and first excited-state energies and eigenfunctions. The Pauli Principle. Exchange operator.
- Quantum computing, entanglement and decoherence.
- Introduction to Hilbert spaces.
- Basic introduction to linear operators and matrix representation.
- Advanced concepts in addition of angular momenta: the uncoupled and coupled representations. Degeneracy and measurement. Commuting sets of operators. Good quantum numbers and maximal measurements.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | Students MUST NOT also be taking
Quantum Mechanics (PHYS09053)
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Other requirements | None |
| Additional Costs | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2015/16, Part-year visiting students only (VV1)
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Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
100
(
Lecture Hours 22,
Supervised Practical/Workshop/Studio Hours 20,
Summative Assessment Hours 2,
Revision Session Hours 2,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
52 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
80 %,
Coursework
20 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Exam 80% and coursework 20% |
| Feedback |
Not entered |
| Exam Information |
| Exam Diet |
Paper Name |
Hours & Minutes |
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| Main Exam Diet S1 (December) | | 2:00 | |
Learning Outcomes
- State in precise terms the foundational principles of quantum mechanics and how they relate to broader physical principles.
- Devise and implement a systematic strategy for solving a complex problem in quantum mechanics by breaking it down into its constituent parts.
- Apply a wide range of mathematical techniques to build up the solution to a complex physical problem.
- Use experience and intuition gained from solving physics problems to predict the likely range of reasonable solutions to an unseen problem.
- Resolve conceptual and technical difficulties by locating and integrating relevant information from a diverse range of sources.
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
| Keywords | FQMech |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Christopher Stock
Tel: (0131 6)50 7066
Email: |
Course secretary | Mrs Siobhan Macinnes
Tel: (0131 6)51 3448
Email: |
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