Admission requirements
Quantum Mechanics 1, Statistical Physics 1, Classical Mechanics B, AN3na, LA2na
Description
This courses deepens the understanding of quantum mechanics by studying important quantum phenomena and applications of quantum mechanics. This comprises the study of indistinguishable quantum particles and their statistical distributions and the use of perturbation methods to understand the level structure of atoms. The details of the observed emission spectrum of hydrogen are inconsistent with the Bohr model and simple analytical solutions of the Schrödinger equation. Most notably, the so called spin-orbit coupling gives rise to small shifts and splittings of the Bohr levels. The coupling of an atom to an external oscillating field gives rise to stimulated emission and can be understood in the framework of time-dependent perturbation theory. The ground state of Helium and simple molecules will be discussed using the variational principle.
Course objectives
After the course the student should be familiar with the following concepts and should be able to apply these concepts to perform simple calculations.
Quantum statistical description of indistinguishable particles
Fermi-Dirac, Bose-Einstein and Planck distribution
Understanding of the strucuture of atoms and periodic table using hydrogen orbitals
Density of states
Time-independent perturbation theory
Fine-structure and hyperfinestructure of Hydrogen
Influence of external magnetic field (Zeeman-effect) and electrical field (Stark-effect)
Time-dependent perturbation theory and application to two-level systems
Stimulated and spontaneous emission, Einstein A and B coefficeints, selection rules
Variational principle: ground state of Helium and covalent bond
In addition the student is introduced tot he following concept
Dirac equation
Adiabatic principle
Geometrical phase and the Aharonov-Bohm effect
Timetable
Mode of instruction
Lectures, tutorials (exercise classes) and homework assignments
Course Load
Total course load 5 EC = 140 hours, of which 42 hours are spent attending lectures and tutorials (11x2 hours lectures + 10x2 hours tutorials). Approximately 40 hoursare needed to study the course material. The remaining 58 hours are spent on completing the assignments and preparing for the exam
Assessment method
Written exam (closed book) with open questions.
The final grade is calculated using the grade of the exam and adding a bonus of maximally 1 point to be earned by handing in homework assignments. For the retake exam the bonus does not apply.
Blackboard
Course material is on blackboard
To access Blackboard you need your ULCN-account Blackboard UL
Reading list
David J. Griffiths, Introduction to Quantum Mechanics, 2nd edition, ISBN 0-13-191175-9. This is the same book as used in the Quantum Mechanics 1 course.
Errata and a warning about incomplete international editions of the textbook can be found on the personal homepage of David Griffiths http://www.reed.edu/physics/faculty/griffiths.html
Contact
Contact etails Lecturer:Dr.Peter Denteneer