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.
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