Course syllabus

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TIF290 / FYM290 Quantum mechanics lp1 HT23 (4.5 hp)

The course is offered by the department of Physics.

Contact details

Examiner:

Teachers:

  • Hjalmar Andersson, PhD Student, Condensed Matter and Materials Theory, Department of Physics, Chalmers
    hjalmar.andersson@chalmers.se
  • Einar Urdshals, PhD Student, Subatomic, High Energy, and Plasma Physics, Department of Physics, Chalmers
    urdshals@chalmers.se
  • Cameron Calcluth, PhD Student, Applied Quantum Physics, Department of Microtechnology and Nanoscience, Chalmers
    calcluth@chalmers.se
  • Timo Gahlmann, PhD Student, Condensed Matter and Materials Theory, Department of Physics, Chalmers
    timo.gahlmann@chalmers.se

Student representatives:

Course purpose

TIF290 / FYM290 is an advanced course on quantum mechanics. The purpose of the course is:

  • Develop an abstract understanding of quantum mechanics and the capability of modeling quantum systems
  • Interpret the implications of quantum mechanics and build an intuition for where quantum phenomena become relevant
  • Develop the connection of the abstract mathematical formalism and applications, such as quantum technology and matter

Schedule

TimeEdit

Course literature

Today, many fantastic books on quantum mechanics have been published and most of the course content can be found in several books.

Traditionally, this course is based on:

J.J. Sakurai, Jim Napolitano, Modern Quantum Mechanics, Third Edition, Cambridge University Press, 2021

Alternatives are

Franz Schwabl, Quantum Mechanics, Fourth Edition, Springer, 2007

John S. Townsend, A modern approach to quantum mechanics, California University Science Books, Second edition, 2012

Course design

The course consists of the following main components

  • Lectures (12)
  • Exercise classes / homework assignments (3)
  • Self-study sessions (8)

Lectures

During the lectures, we will cover the main study material:

  • Foundations of quantum mechanics
  • Quantum dynamics
  • Many-body physics
  • Scattering theory
  • Matter in electromagnetic fields and light-matter interaction

Exercise classes / homework assignments 

During the course, you will work on 3 homework assignments. By successfully solving a homework assignment, you can collect points. These points are relevant for the final exam. You need at least 4 points to participate in the final exam, and at least 6 points to qualify for passing the exam with grades 4 or 5 (Chalmers) or VG (GU), respectively.

The due dates for the homework assignments will be:

After submitting each homework assignment, there will be a dedicated exercise class, where the solution of the assignments are discussed.

Self-study sessions ("räknestuga")

You will deepen your understanding of quantum mechanics throughout self-study sessions. In these sessions, there are three rooms available, coordinated by one teacher each. The aim of the self-study sessions is:

  • train concepts of quantum mechanics
  • ask questions and discuss
  • work individually or in groups
  • time can be used for homework assignments or additional (training) material

Learning objectives and syllabus

Foundations of quantum mechanics

  • Axioms of quantum mechanics
  • "bra-ket" and Hilbert space formalism
  • Quantum measurement (problem)
  • Density matrix and statistical ensembles

Quantum dynamics

  • Schrödinger and Heisenberg pictures
  • correspondence principle between classical and quantum mechanics
  • Path integral formalism

Many-body physics

  • second quantization / occupation number formalism
  • electrons / phonons / photons
  • interactions

Scattering theory

  • cross-section of quantum particles interacting with a potential, another particle, or a crystal

Matter in electromagnetic fields and light-matter interaction

  • Zeeman, Aharonov-Bohm effect, Landau levels
  • Spontaneous and stimulated emission and discuss their importance for lasers
  • Introduction to cavity QED and its applications

Additional skills:

  • Read scientific literature on the above topics

Link to the syllabus on Studieportalen:

Examination form

The final exam will be an oral exam. The final grade depends on your performance during the homework assignments. You need to collect a total of 4 points to qualify for the exam and potentially passing the course. You require at least 6 points to qualify for passing the exam with grades 4 or 5 (Chalmers) or VG (GU), respectively.

  • Date and time: will be announced soon.
  • Permitted aids: will be announced soon.

Course summary:

Date Details Due