Phys622: Introduction to Quantum Mechanics I
Fall 1998
The purpose of the course is to make you proficient in solving quantum-mechanical
problems. This skill is indispensable to every physicist. In practical
terms, it will help you to pass the Ph. D. qualifying exam, half of which
is devoted to quantum mechanics. Phys622 covers the first half of the
textbook, and Phys623 covers the second half of the textbook. See Homework
for a detailed list of topics.
Prerequisites: Undergraduate background in quantum mechanics
and mathematics.
Textbooks:
The main textbook will be "Quantum Mechanics" by Franz Schwabl (Springer,
second edition, 1995). Theoretical reading and home problems will be
assigned from this textbook.
No single textbook contains all required material. The textbooks listed
below are not required, but you may wish to look at them occasionally for
a clarification or a topic missing in Schwabl. Some of them should be available
at the University
Book Center (UBC) and on reserve at the Engineering and Physical Sciences
Library (EPSL).
-
L. D. Landau and E. M. Lifshitz's "Quantum Mechanics (Non-Relativistic
Theory)" is a classical reference, indispensable to anybody who plans
to specialize in theoretical physics, particularly in condensed matter.
Written in a very condensed style, it contains enormous amount of material,
much of which is required for the qualifier. I studied quantum mechanics
using this book and highly recommended it. (UBC, EPSL)
-
E. Mertzbacher's "Quantum Mechanics" is a "standard" graduate textbook
with a lot of material. In the recent third edition substantial rearrangements
were made. Particularly, the new, detailed table of contents makes the
book much more useful. (UBC, EPSL)
-
J. J. Sakurai's "Modern Quantum Mechanics" includes many modern
topics. Written by a high-energy theorist, the book is tilted toward algebraic
approach and systematically avoids equations in the coordinate space, that
is, the Schrödinger equation. (UBC, EPSL)
-
G. Baym's "Lectures on Quantum Mechanics" contain many useful applications
not described anywhere else, but some other topics are fragmentary. (UBC,
EPSL)
-
D. J. Griffiths' "Introduction to Quantum Mechanics" is used here
in the undergraduate course of quantum mechanics. The book is very well
written from the modern perspective, neatly organized, and lucid.
Homework will be handed out on Wednesdays and will be due in one
week on the next Wednesdays. You may also submit it during the week
after that, by the next Wednesday, but the number of points will be reduced
by 20%. No homework will be accepted and graded after that. Homework may
be turned in the class or placed in the box on the door of my office (PHYS
2314). Partial submissions are accepted. I encourage, but not require usage
of computer programs, such as Mathematica, for calculations and plotting.
I will post homework assignments on the World
Wide Web in the form of LaTeX and postscript files. No written solutions
of homework problems will be given.
Exams: The the final exam is scheduled on Saturday, December
19 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Midterm exam will be specified separately.
You are allowed to use any books or notes during all exams. It may be necessary
to use numerical calculators.
Grades: You will receive points for homework and exams. Generally,
the score between 75% and 100% of the maximal possible number of points
corresponds to A, between 50% and 75% to B, and between 25% and 50% to
C. The exact relative weight of homework and exams will be specified later,
but a substantial weight will be given to homework.
E-mail: You are required to have an electronic mail account and
to use it.
Mode of operation: No formal lectures will be given. Theoretical
material from the textbook will be assigned for home reading. Plenty of
problems will be given. Classroom time will be devoted to answering questions,
discussing solutions of problems, and exams. Discussion by e-mail is also
encouraged.
Active participation is required. This means that you should
attempt to understand a topic or to solve a problem yourself, without waiting
for explanations. If, after an attempt, you still do not understand something,
try to formulate what is the obstacle and ask appropriate questions. The
questions may be submitted to me by e-mail. I may ask students to present
solutions of problems in class.
Attendance: Attendance of classes is not required, unless an
in-class exam is announced. If you come to the class, better bring a question.
I will post the homework and important
announcements (if any) at the home page
of the course on the World Wide Web.
Feedback: I would appreciate you comments and suggestions about
the course at any time and in any form. I am particularly interested in
your opinion about different textbooks.
Paperwork: Preserve my handouts and your calculations. I will
often refer to previous homework problems and solutions.
Last updated August 11, 2000
Home page
of Victor Yakovenko