Physics 6330 / 7330

Quantum Mechanics II

Spring 2011

D. G. Ellis

 

Home Page:  http://astro1.panet.utoledo.edu/~dellis/phys6330/home.html

            (or follow links from Physics & Astronomy home page).

Class meetings:  MWF 2:00-2:50 MH 4012

Instructor:      David G. Ellis, emeritus professor

                        Office MH4027A, hours MWF 10-12 and by appointment

                        Phone 4634; email david.ellis@utoledo.edu

Textbook:  N. Zettili, Quantum Mechanics Concepts and Applications, 2nd ed. (Wiley 2009) ISBN 9780470026793

Course content:  This is the second half of the standard graduate course in quantum mechanics.  It assumes that you have taken the first course, PHYS6320, or its equivalent.  The emphasis in the first semester was on the mathematical and conceptual development of the theory, the Schrödinger equation and stationary states, one-dimensional examples, applications to simple three-dimensional systems, and approximation methods for bound states.  This course will include identical particles and statistics, angular momentum theory, the role of symmetry in quantum mechanics, the density matrix, applications to atomic physics and transition probabilities, electron-photon interactions, scattering theory, and the Dirac equation.

Homework problems will be assigned, with one set due every week or two.  Late homework will not be accepted.  There will be one midterm examination, and a final examination.  The course grade will be based on all of the above, plus classroom participation.

There are many possible textbooks for this course, but there is no single standard book, such as the books by Jackson and by Goldstein for the classical courses.  Our treatment will more or less follow the book by Zettili, chapters 7-11, and some homework problems may be assigned from that book.  However some material will be added, and topics may not always be covered in the same order.

A list of other possible books is posted on the home page.