Physics 256F
Introduction to Quantum Physics.
(last updated 27 September 2002)
Lecturer:
Aephraim M. Steinberg
(rm 1103, tel 978-0713, aephraim@physics.utoronto.ca)
Office hours: Monday 3:10-4 and Thursday 11:10-12 or by appointment
Teaching Assistants:
Kevin Resch, MP056, 946-3162.
(Office hours: TBA)
Jeff Lundeen, MP056, 946-3162.
(Office hours: TBA)
Times and Venues
Lectures: MWF 11-12 in MP 134
Discussion section 1: W 3-4 in UC 244
Discussion section 2: F 1-2, in LM 155
SEE OFFICIAL COURSE WEB PAGE AT http://courses.ece.utoronto.ca/phy256f/ FOR SIGNUP, PERIODIC
ANNOUNCEMENTS, ASSIGNMENTS, ET CETERA.
Email mailing list: some information may periodically be
distributed by email, e.g., corrections to typos on problem sets!
This mailing list will also offer an opportunity to post questions
and carry on discussions about the course material as well as
administrative issues. Please sign up at the above site.
Overview |
Grading |
Syllabus |
Announcements |
Readings |
Tutorials |
Problem Sets |
Quantum physics is one of the major scientific and intellectual
developments of the 20th century. Not only has it revolutionized
Man's understanding of the structure of matter,
but it underpins a broad cross-section of modern technology, from
the transistors in your computer to the laser in your CD player.
More than that, however, it has led to a radical change in the
basic structure of how we understand the world. This change is
not limited to atoms, or even to the microscopic world in general.
It applies whether we are discussing electric forces, angular
momentum, light, matter, or the nuclear forces.
In this course, we will briefly discuss the historical development
which led to a crisis in classical physics, and finally to the
quantum revolution. We will then develop the basic mathematical
and conceptual tools to solve simple but important quantum mechanics
problems such as the particle in a box; the harmonic oscillator;
tunneling; and the Hydrogen atom. In parallel, you will be
challenged to develop your intuition about the quantum world,
with discussions based largely on the two-slit experiment and
the Stern-Gerlach experiment.
The required text is Quantum Physics
by Stephen Gasiorowicz.
For further reading, I strongly recommend
Richard P. Feynman's wonderful
QED: the strange theory of light and matter, as well as
the following alternate textbooks:
Shankar's Principles of Quantum Mechanics
Feynman's Lectures on Physics vol. III
Townsend's A Modern Approach to Quantum Mechanics
French and Taylor's An Introduction to Quantum Physics.
Other references, including some readings related to philosophy
and interpretation of quantum mechanics, can be found on the
tutorial page.
| |
Fraction of Grade |
| Problem Sets
| 25% |
|
| Mid Term
| 25% |
| Final Exam
| 50% |
There will be 5 or 6 problem sets over the course of the semester.
In general, the problem sets will be due about a week and a half after
they are assigned, and are to be handed in before the start
of lecture.
A week after each assignment's due date, the solution set will be
posted on the web, and no late work
will be accepted beyond that point under any circumstances.
Prior to the posting of solutions, late work will be accepted, but
with a 20% penalty. One late assignment over the course of the
semester will be accepted without penalty.
Quantum mechanics is a challenging subject because it forces us
to think about problems in new ways. For this reason, I am going
to set aside approximately one lecture per week to discuss conceptual
issues and the kinds of thought experiments which have provoked decades
of argument about quantum mechanics. These lectures will serve as
complements to the two lectures per week in which we concentrate on
the "day-to-day" aspects of solving problems in quantum mechanics.
Class participation is encouraged during all lectures, and particularly
during the concept-based "complements," when students will be asked
to discuss problems in small groups and then defend their findings.
Discussion of conceptual issues
in quantum mechanics can continue further during the tutorial sessions.
You will find that active participation in discussions is essential
for developing a real understanding of the material, and this will
be reflected both on the exams and in the writing assignments.
The lectures will break down into 7 units, of approximately two weeks
apiece. The following tentative
syllabus indicates the material I would ideally
like to cover by the end of term, and likely topics for the "complements."
Naturally, some topics may need to be shortened or omitted entirely in order
to finish in 13 weeks, but we begin in a spirit of optimism!
| UNIT |
Lectures |
Complement |
| 1 |
Failures of classical physics... the Bohr atom (ch. 1) |
Interference (QED) |
| 2 |
Waves of probability amplitude; postulates of QM (ch's 2-3 and 6) |
2-state systems (pp. 242-244; supp. texts) |
| 3 |
The Schrödinger equation; Dirac notation (ch's 3-4 and 6) |
EPR "paradox" (supp. texts; ch 8) |
| 4 |
Some 1D problems; superposition & uncertainty (ch's 4-5 and 6-7) |
Bohr-Einstein debate |
| 5 |
Wave packets and time-dependence (ch's 6-7 and 2) |
quantum eraser |
| 6 |
Tunneling and double-well potentials (pp. 79-89 and 93-103) |
"Collapse" |
| 7 |
3D problems and the Hydrogen atom (ch's 9-10 and 12) |
alternative interpretations |
The sections in Gasiorowicz most relevant to each section of
the course are listed along with the syllabus
given above. You will be expected to keep up with the reading.
Sometimes, additional sources will be suggested, especially for the
complements. Although these are optional, you will get much more out
of a discussion if you have already thought a little bit about the issues
involved.
From time to time, announcements concerning recommended reading or
other topics will appear on the official course web page.
For interference and probability amplitudes, I recommend the
following references:
Feynman's QED
Feynman's Lectures on Physics, vol. III, ch's 1-3.
For two-state systems, ch's 5 and 6 of Feynman vol. III may prove
useful.
For the postulates of quantum mechanics, Shankar's Principles of
Quantum Mechanics is a very clear reference.
For philosophical and interpretational aspects, including great detail
on the debates between Bohr and Einstein, I suggest
Wheeler & Zurek, Quantum Theory and Measurement and
Bell, Speakable and Unspeakable in Quantum Mechanics.
The following articles may be accessible introductions to some of
the more modern experiments and issues in quantum mechanics, related
to the complements:
Horgan, "Quantum Philosophy," Sci. Am. 267 (1), 94 (7/92).
Bennett et al., "Quantum Cryptography," Sci. Am. 10/92
Chiao et al., "Faster than light?", Sci. Am. 8/93
Greenberger et al., "Multiparticle Interferometry," Physics Today 46 (8), 22 (8/93)
Kwiat et al., "Quantum Seeing in The Dark," Sci. Am. 275 (5), 52 (11/96).
Scully et al., "Quantum optical tests of complementarity," Nature 351, 111 (1991)
Zurek, "Decoherence and the transition from quantum to classical," Physics Today 44, 36 (1991)
Collins, "Quantum Cryptography," Physics Today 45, 21 (1992).
The tutorials page, with regularly updated handouts related to the
material covered in discussion section, can be found
here.
A very nice page on "Visual Quantum Mechanics," with useful material
for review, can be found here.
Further links to pages about various aspects of quantum mechanics are
assembled
here.
Simulation programs covering many different topics in quantum mechanics,
wave motion, and physics more broadly are collected
here.
Problem set 1 assigned Mon, 23 Sep '02; due Wed 2 Oct '02 before the start of
lecture.
See HANDOUTS menu for problem sets in general.
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