Physics 341 Graduate Quantum Mechanics I
Location & Time: KPTC 105, T-Th 10:30 -
11:50
Office Hours: Tuesday 3-4
Grader: Zimu Li & Rhys Povey
Course Outline:
This is the first quarter of
a two quarter sequence covering graduate quantum mechanics.
It is
aimed primarily at first year graduate students (and perhaps a few
adventurous sufficiently
advanced undergraduates).
This quarter will be devoted
to foundational topics in quantum mechanics. A partial list of topics
to be considered
includes:
- Linear Algebra
- Principles of Quantization
- Path-integrals
- Symmetries
- Angular Momentum & Spin
- Perturbation Theory
In terms of course administration, there will be regular problem
sets (~40%), a
mid-term (~25%) and a final examination (~35%).
The mid-term is
scheduled for a date in November.
References:
There are many good texts on
quantum mechanics. Here are a few that might be worth perusing.
Modern Quantum Mechanics
by J. J. Sakurai
Quantum Mechanics by K.
Gottfried
During the course, we
will encounter symmetries and symmetry groups. A more detailed
discussion of
group theory and symmetries can be found in the following
three links (these files are fairly large. They
constitute the material for an independent course):
groups1 groups2 groups3
Some of you might be interested in the collapse of the
wavefunction and the issue of measurement
in quantum mechanics. Here is a link to a beautiful lecture by the late
Sidney Coleman on
"Quantum Mechanics in Your Face."
Enjoy.
Problem
Sets:
Assignment
1
Solutions 1
Assignment 2
Solutions 2
Assignment 3
Solutions 3
Assignment 4
Solutions 4
Midterm
solutions
Assignment 5
Solutions 5
Assignment 6
Solutions 6
Some problems