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Physics 531: Introduction to Quantum Mechanics, Spring 2009   

Place:
Time:
Instructor:
Office:
2223 Chamberlin Hall
1:20 PM - 2:10 PM, MWF
Maxim G. Vavilov
5318 Chamberlin Hall



Textbook: D. J. Griffiths, Introduction to Quantum Mechanics;
additional reading: J. J. Sakurai, Modern Quantum Mechanics.

Office hours: (tentative time) Friday, 2:30 pm and by appointment.

 Calendar

Final letter grade will be determined by the homework (approx. 1/4), midterm exams (1/4, 1/8 for each), the final exam (1/4) and by a course paper. Homework assignments will be biweekly, due on Mondays in the end of lectures. Two midterm exams will be offered after topics 2 and 4.  Course paper is expected to cover a topic in quantum mechanics on the level accessible to general public.

Topics: 

  1. Basic concepts of Quantum Mechanics:
    1. Wave functions. 
    2. Observables and their operators. 
    3. Review of Linear Algebra.
  2. Schroedinger equation in one dimension: 
    1. Propagation of free particles. 
    2. Particles in potential wells. 
    3. Propagation through barriers.
  3. Schroedinger equation in three dimensions: 
    1. Angular momentum. 
    2. Hydrogen atom. 
    3. Spin.
    4. Charged particle in magnetic field.
  4. Approximation methods:
    1. Time-independent perturbation theory. 
    2. The fine and hyperfine structures of a hydrogen atom.
    3. Time-dependent perturbations. Fermi golden rule.  
    4. WKB approximation. Semiclassical spectrum. Tunneling rate.
  5. Scattering theory. The Born approximation.

LECTURE NOTES

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS

Homework 1 due Feb. 2 (solutions)
Homework 2 due Feb. 16(solutions)
Homework 3 due Mar. 2(solutions)
Homework 4 due Mar. 30(solutions)
Homework 5 due Apr. 13(solutions)
Midterm 2 (take home), due Apr. 20(solutions)
Homework 6 due May 4(solutions)
Final Exam due May 11