Homepage for Ph125c (Spring 2006): Quantum Mechanics

Instructor:   Marc Kamionkowski
                  Bridge Annex 120
                   x2563
                   [email protected]

TAs:     Oleg Evnin ([email protected]; 422 Downs; x2631; Mon, 8-9pm)
               Alejandro Jenkins ([email protected]; 457 Lauritsen; x6692; Tues, 3-4pm)
                Jie Yang ([email protected]; 441 Lauritsen; x6690; Mon, 5-6pm)

Class times:    Mon and Wed 9:30-11:00am in Lauritsen 269

Summary: The purpose of this class will be to continue studying the principles  and applications of quantum mechanics.  With the formalism you've learned in the first two quarters under your belts, we should be able to focus more on a variety of interesting applications:  scattering theory,  band structure in crystals, many-body theory, superconductivity, fractional quantum hall effect, quantization of the electromagnetic field, the Dirac equation, quantum computing....the precise subjects will be determined as we go along.

Class structure:  Lectures will be developed from a variety of sources.  The approach should complement what you will learn from the textbook.

Prerequisites:  The first two quarters (Ph125a,b).


Here are links to the first two quarters (taught by Mark Wise):

http://theory.caltech.edu/classes/ph125a/
http://theory.caltech.edu/classes/ph125b/

Homework and Homework policy:  There will be problem sets assigned weekly.  It is imperative that you do these problem sets.   This class is meant to provide you with valuable tools that can be applied all over the place in physics, as well as in applied physics, chemistry, astronomy, and engineering.   Moreover, since class time is limited, there will be some topics that you work out on your own in the problem sets. I will try to find problem sets that involve application of the subjects studied in class, and I will try to avoid problems that involve excessive algebra.  You should first try to do all of the problems by yourself.  If you run into trouble, you may consult with classmates and attempt to work out the problems together.  However, when you have figured out the solution, you should go your separate ways and then each write up the solutions from scratch.  Please write your solutions as clearly as possible.  Points may be taken off if the solutions are incomprehensible.

Problem sets will be due in class every Monday.  Late problem sets will not be accepted.  You will be allowed to skip one problem set.  If you complete all the problem sets, then your lowest problem-set score will be ignored when we compute the final homework average.

Solutions:  As a reward for turning in problem sets on time, solutions will be provided in class, at the time that the problem sets are turned in.  Graded homeworks will also be returned in class.  Homeworks and solutions that are not picked up in class will be made available in a box in Lauritsen 264.


Grade:     75% homework and 25% final exam.  NOTE:  Completion of ALL
                     of the problem sets (except for one, as discussed above) is required.

Required Text:    Quantum Mechanics, by Shankar

Some other related and possibly useful books (on reserve in the library):
           Quantum Mechanics  by Eugen Merzbacher
         Modern Quantum Mechanics by J. J. Sakurai
         Quantum Mechanics, by Cohen-Tanoudji et al.
         Theory and Applications of Quantum Mechanics by Amnon Yariv

          Landau and Lifschitz's Quantum Mechanics
         Any of the other of hundreds of books with "Quantum Mechanics" in the  title;
         E.g., Dirac's book is a classic.  There is a nice two-volume set by Messiah.
         Feynman's lectures might come in handy.

Syllabus
 

Problem Set 1 (28 March: Some typos fixed, hint added, and due date changed) (due Wednesday, April 5, 2006)

Problem Set 2 (10 April: Typo in problem 2 fixed) (due Wednesday, April 12, 2006)

Problem Set 3 (due Wednesday, April 19, 2006)

Problem Set 4 (due Wednesday, April 26, 2006)

Problem Set 5 (due Wednesday, May 3, 2006)

Problem Set 6 (due Wednesday, May 10, 2006)

Problem Set 7 (due Wednesday, May 17, 2006)

Problem Set 8 (the last one; due Friday, May 26, 2006)


FINAL EXAM:    Allow yourself THREE (3) hours
to complete the exam.  You may consult with any of the class
handouts, homeworks, or solution sets---please refer to nothing
else.   Please turn in your completed exam to me
(Marc) in Bridge Annex 120.  If I'm not there, you can leave it
under my door, in my mailbox (outside Bridge Annex 151), or with
Shirley Hampton in Bridge Annex 151.  For seniors and graduate
students, the exam is due by 5pm Friday, June 2.  For
all others, the exam is due by Friday, June 9.


When you are ready to take the exam, you can download it here.

Course evaluations are available in Lauritsen 264.  Please take one and fill it out!



Last updated 30 May 2006