:

Quantum Theory I Syllabus

 Instructor

Dr. Moshe Goldstein

Email: mgoldstein@post.tau.ac.il

Academic Year, Semesters

Semester B

Number of Hours/ Credits  : 5

Mandatory/Elective

mandatory

Prerequisites

Analytical mechanics, mathematical methods 1+2 (in parallel)

Year in program & how often given, if relevant

B.Sc., 2nd year

  Course overview – short abstract

The experimental basis of the quantum theory.  Amplitudes and probabilities, the Schrödinger equation.  Operators and observables.  Particle in a one-dimensional potential.  Bound states in a central potential.  Angular momentum algebra, spin.  Interaction of an electron with a magnetic field.  Symmetry.

Learning outcomes – short description (if you don’t have LOs, then don’t write anything in this part)

Assessment: coursework and grade structure

Assignments – 10%

Final exams – 80%

Week-by-week content, assignments and reading

Week 1: Experimental basis for quantum mechanics, wave-particle duality

Week 2: The wavefunction and its interpretation; the Schoerdinger equation, probability current

Week 3: 1D infinite square potential well, 1D free particle

Week 4: 1D finite square potential well – bound states, delta function potential

Week 5: 1D scattering (square potential well and barrier, potential step)

Week 6: Formalism of quantum mechanics, Hilbert spaces, operators

Week 7: measurements and collapse, time development: Ehernfest theorem, Schroedinger and Heisenberg pictures

Week 8: 1D harmonic oscillator – differential equation, ladder operators, coherent states

Week 9: 3D rotationally invariant potentials, angular momentum

Week 10: spin, Stern-Gerlach, Zeeman, paramagnetic resonance

Week 11: Hydrogen atom, the periodic table

Week 12: Magnetic field, Landau levels, the Aharonov-Bohm effect

Week 13: Entanglement and Bell’s inequality

Required text – in language of origin (if Hebrew or Arabic, no need to translate it)

Introduction to Quantum Mechanics, D.J. Griffiths

Quantum Physics, S. Gasiorowicz

Quantum Mechanics, E. Merzbacher

Volume 3: Quantum Mechanics (Nonrelativistic theory), L.D.  Landau and E.M. Lifshitz

Quantum Mechanics (2 volumes), C. Cohen-Tannoudji, B. Diu, and F. Laloe