PHY 4203/5443
QUANTUM MECHANICS
Spring Semester, 1999
TR 5:30-6:45 Howell Hall 100
INSTRUCTOR Dr. Weldon Wilson
OFFICE HOURS MW 5:00-5:30 or by arrangement
OFFICE Howell Hall 118 A11 
EMAIL  wwilson@ucok.edu 
COURSE
DESCRIPTION		 PHY 4203/5443 (Quantum Mechanics) is a senior/graduate-level introduction to the theory and formalism of non-relativistic quantum mechanics and its applications. Quantum mechanics deals with the physics of the microscopic realm where classical mechanics fails to adequately explain phenomena. Quantum mechanics has numerous applications in engineering including lasers, semiconductor  devices, quantum  optics, and superconductivity.   As technology changes, an increasing number of  new devices will be understood in terms of the principles of quantum mechanics. This course provides the background with  which  to understand  and  meet  the  challenge  of  new applications of quantum mechanics.  In this course we will learn the principles of quantum mechanics and some mathematical techniques of solving quantum mechanical problems.  Emphasis will be placed on both the mathematical formalism of quantum mechanics and the philosophical implications and alternatives to the theory. 

 As time permits, course topics will include:

  1. Experimental Basis of Quantum Mechanics - Brief summary of the experimental results that led to and verified quantum mechanics including:  Thermal Radiation, Photo-electric Effect, Compton Effect, Wave-like Properties of Particles-Electron Diffraction, Uncertainty Principle, Bohr's Model of the Atom.
  1. Formalism of Quantum Mechanics - The postulates of Quantum Mechanics.  Wave Functions. Time-independent and Time-dependent Schrodinger's Equation. Wave Functions. Operators and Expectation values. Wave-particle duality, complementarity, the postulates of quantum mechanics, ,, Hermitian operators and eigenvalue equations, commutators, uncertainty relations and conservation laws.
  2. One Dimensional Quantum Systems - Wave packets (their formation and analysis), Solutions of Schrodinger's Equation for various potentials including the simple harmonic oscillator, infinite and finite potential wells, tunneling through a  barrier. Applications.

    3.  
  3. Hydrogen Atom - This course will cover the experimental results that led to and verified quantum mechanics.  operators in quantum mechanics, 

    4.  
  4. Selected Applications - Atoms, Lasers, molecules, semiconductors, transistors.
PREREQUISITES PHY 3104 (Modern Physics) and PHY 3884 (Mathematical Physics I or its equivalent) or MATH 3103 (Differential Equations) and  permission of instructor.  A knowledge of differential equations at the level of PHY 3884 (Mathematical Physics I or its equivalent) is assumed. 
TEXTBOOK Quantum Mechanics, 2nd Ed., by Amit Goswami, 1997, Wm. C. Brown Publishers (REQUIRED).

Schaum's Outline of Theory and Problems of Quantum Mechanics by Y. Peleg, R. Pnini, and E. Aaarur, ,1998, McGraw-Hill (STRONGLY RECOMMENDED)
HOMEWORK Physics is a subject that can be learned only by doing many exercises and problems. Moreover, the examinations will consist of problems similar to those assigned as homework and those at the end of each chapter of your textbook. For this reason, weekly problem assignments will be made. These homework assignments will be collected at the start of the period on the date they are due. The homework will be graded and forms a significant portion of the grade received for the course. Late homework will not be accepted for any reason.  However, your two lowest homework scores will be dropped. 

Homework solutions should be neatly written on standard notebook-size (8.5" x 11") paper using one side only and each problem should be started on a new page. It is helpful if the pages are stapled together. For full credit, your homework problem solutions should clearly state the principle of physics and/or formula being used and fully explain all reasoning.
OFFICE HOURS Official hours are listed above, but I am usually around from 9 - 4 each day during the week whenever I am not teaching class. Please feel free to come by any time especially if you want to talk about physics or school.
EXAMS There will be two exams given on the days indicated in the attached class schedule - a mid-term and a final.   A comprehensive final exam will be given on the scheduled date for this course - Thursday, May 13 @ 5:30-7:20 PM. Exams will not be given early or late to accommodate individual schedules. Students who miss an exam should contact their instructor as soon as possible to schedule a makeup. 

Each exam will consist of problems similar to those at the end of each chapter of the textbook and those assigned for homework. All exams will be open note and open book.

Graduate students will have different homework and exams than undergraduates and will receive grades based on a separate curve from the undergraduates.
GRADES  In general, grades will be class curved with a target class GPA of ~3.2 but in no event will the curve be higher than the strictest scale curve listed or lower than the minimum scale curve shown. While the target class grade distribution is typical, it or may not be achieved in any given class in a particular semester and is in no sense guaranteed. Grades will be based on a class curve bounded by the two scales below:  
                 Points    (%)
Mid-Term     150   (30%)
Homework    200   (40%)
Final            150   (30%)
Total        500  (100%)		 Minimum Scale
A (Above 75%) 
B (60% - 74%) 
C (50% - 59%)
D (40% - 49%) 
F (Below 40%)		 Strictest Scale
A (Above 85%) 
B (75% - 84%) 
C (65% - 74%) 
D (55% - 64%) 
F (Below 55%)		 Target Grade Distribution
A (~30% of Class) 
B (~60% of Class) 
C (<10% of Class) 
D (<5% of Class) 
F (~0% of Class)
STUDYING
PHYSICS		 You should expect to spend approximately two hours of outside class study for every hour in class in addition to approximately 4 to 5  hours doing a homework assignment. Many students find it helpful to form study groups to work and discuss homework assignments with other students. You are encouraged to do this. It is an excellent way to learn physics. However, it is expected that each student will know how to work each problem without help.  If you get stuck on a homework problem, see your instructor for help.
SPECIAL
ACCOMODATIONS		 Students with disabilities who believe that they may need accomodations in this class are encouraged to contact Equity Officer Brad Morellio at ext. 2573, or see me after class as soon as possible to better ensure that such accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion.

 
LECTURES 
WEEK
DATE
LECTURE
 #1
 T - JAN 19
R - JAN 21 		 1. Introduction/Historical Development (Sectons 1.1 - 1.3)
2. Schrodinger Equation and the Wave Function (Sections 1.4 - 1.5)
 #2
 T - JAN 26
R - JAN 28 		 3. QM Particle in Box (Sections 1.6 -1.8)
4. QM Motion of Wave Packets (Sections 2.1)
 #3
 T - FEB 2
R - FEB 4		 5. Uncertainty Principle (Sections 2.2 - 2.3)
6. QM Operators (Section 3.1 - 3.2)
 #4
 T - FEB 9
R - FEB 11		 7. Postulates of QM and Measurement in QM (Sections 3.3)
8. Quantum Mechanical Tunnelling (Sections 4.1)
 #5
 T - FEB 16
R - FEB 18		 9. Quantum Mechanics of the Square Well (Sections 4.2 - 4.4)
10. Momentu Space (Section 4.5)
 #6
 T - FEB 23
R - FEB 25		 11. Bohr's Complementarity  Principle (Sections 5.1 - 5.4)
12. Dirac's Formalism of QM Hilbert Space (Sections 6.1 - 6.2)
 #7
 T - MAR 2
R - MAR 4		 13. Commuting Operators and Completeness (Sections 6.3 - 6.4)
14. QM Harmonic Oscillator (Section 7.1)
 #8
 T - MAR 9
R - MAR 11		 15. QM Harmonic Oscillator - Operator Approach (section 7.2)
MID-TERM EXAM over Chapter 1 thru 6
#9
 T - MAR 16
R - MAR 18		 NO CLASS - SPRING BREAK !!!
NO CLASS - SPRING BREAK !!!
#10
 T - MAR 23
R - MAR 25		 16. Correspondence Principle (Section 8.1)
17. WKB Approximation (Section 8.2)
#11
 T - MAR 30
R - APR 1		 18. Particle in Box (Sections 9.1 - 9.2)
19. Multi-particle Systems (sections 9.3 - 9.5)
#12
 T - APR 6
R - APR 8		 20. Quantum "Paradoxes" (Sections 10.1 - 10.3)
21. Angular Momentum in QM (Sections 11.1 - 11.2)
#13
 T - APR 13
R - APR 15		 23. QM Motion in a Central Potential (Sections 12.1 - 12.2)
24. Spherical Square Well (Sections 12.3 - 12.4)
#14
 T - APR 20
R - APR 22		 25. Quark Confinement (Sections 12.5)
26. Hydrogen Atom Bound States (Section 13.1)
#15
 T - APR 27
R - APR 29		 27. Hydrogenic Wave Functions (Sections 13.2 - 13.3)
28. Time-Independent Perturbation Theory (Sectio 18.1)
#16
 T - MAY 4
R - MAY 6		 29. Variational Method (Section 18.3)
30. Meaning of Quantum Mechanics (Chapter 24)
#17
 R - MAY 13 FINAL EXAM @ 5:30-7:20
 
 
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