Physics 621: Quantum Mechanics I
Fall 2024
Class schedule: Tues, Thurs 11-12:20, Small Hall 122
Office hours: Thursday 12:30-1:30pm and by arrangement, i.e.
feel free to stop by Josh's office when you have a question.
Course website: http://physics.wm.edu/~erlich/621F24
Instructor: Josh Erlich
Small Hall rm 332B
Office Phone: 757-221-3763
Email: jxerli@wm.edu
Topics to be covered:
- Introduction: Why do we need quantum mechanics?
- Mathematical background: Finite and infinite-dimensional Hilbert spaces
- Postulates of Quantum Mechanics
- The Schrödinger Equation
- Spin, oscillation of states, and entanglement
- Canonical quantization, examples
- Schrödinger, Heisenberg, and Interaction pictures
- Feynman Path Integral
- Symmetries in Quantum Mechanics
- Theory of Angular Momentum
- Aharonov-Bohm Effect and Berry Phase
- Systems of Identical Particles
Course requirements and grade:
- Problem sets (45%)
- In-class exam: Tuesday, October 29 (20%)
- Final exam: Wednesday, December 11, 2024 (30%)
- Participation (ask questions!): 5%
Grade: A 93-100, A- 88-93, B+ 83-88, B 78-83, B- 73-78, C+ 68-73, C 63-68, C- 58-63, D+ 53-58, D 48-53, D- 43-48, F <43
Problem sets:
Problem sets will be assigned approximately weekly, and will generally be due on Tuesdays.
Reading material:
- Text:
H. Nastase, Quantum Mechanics: A Graduate Course, a relatively new textbook designed to develop a deeper technical and conceptual understanding of quantum mechanics, with an eye towards modern applications.
Also recommended:
- J.J. Sakurai and J. Napolitano, Modern Quantum Mechanics, an updated version of a classic textbook.
- K. Gottfried and T.M. Yan, Quantum Mechanics: Fundamentals, a personal favorite of the instructor. Covers many of the subtleties of the subject.
Lecture Notes:
Problem Sets:
Problem sets will be posted on blackboard and will generally be due Thursdays.