Phys623: Introduction to Quantum Mechanics II
Spring 1999, Section 0101
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: Chapters
10-18 and 20. 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, Quantum Mechanics (Non-Relativistic
Theory): Classical reference, indispensable to anybody who plans
to specialize in theoretical physics, particularly in condensed matter.
Written in a 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. It is practical and fundamental,
has many applications and worked problems. (UBC,
EPSL)
-
G. Baym, Lectures on Quantum Mechanics: Informal but sophisticated,
very readable, with many useful applications not described anywhere else,
but some other topics are fragmentary. (UBC, EPSL)
-
L. I. Schiff, Quantum Mechanics: A "standard" old-fashioned
graduate textbook. Contains a lot of material and has a good table of contents.
-
E. Merzbacher, Quantum Mechanics: Another "standard" graduate
text, with the slant of a nuclear theorist. Strong on scattering theory.
Substantial improvements were made in the third edition in 1997. (UBC,
EPSL)
-
J. J. Sakurai, Modern Quantum Mechanics: Written by a high-energy
theorist, tilted toward the algebraic approach. Nice choice of examples.
(UBC,
EPSL)
-
H. A. Bethe and R. Jackiw, Intermediate Quantum Mechanics:
Atomic structure, interaction with radiation, and scattering theory, beyond
the usual introductory topics.
-
R. Shankar, Principles of Quantum Mechanics: Holds the student's
hand, verbose, mostly elementary, but has some very nice modern applications.
-
D. J. Griffiths, Introduction to Quantum Mechanics: A very
well written modern undergraduate text, neatly organized and lucid.
-
P. A. M. Dirac, Principles of Quantum Mechanics: An elegant
classic.
-
R. P. Feynman, The Feynman Lectures on Physics, vol. III: A
"beginning undergraduate" text offering insights that keep professors coming
back.
-
A. Messiah, Quantum Mechanics: Strong on the formal and mathematical
aspects of the theory.
Homework will be handed out on Fridays and will be due in one week
on the next Fridays. You may also submit it during the week after
that, by the next Friday, 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)
by
5 p.m. 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 final exam is scheduled on Saturday, May 22 from 8
to 10 a.m. The midterm exam will be specified separately. You are allowed
to use Schwabl's book and your notes and homeworks during exams. It may
be necessary to use numerical calculators.
Grades: The relative weights are: homework 25%, midterm
25% and final 50%. Approximately, the total 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.
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