Quantum Mechanics Ii

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Topics covered: time-independent perturbation theory, non-degenerate and degenerate cases, fine structure of the hydrogen atom, variational principle, helium atom, H₂ ion, WKB approximation, tunnelling, time-dependent perturbation theory, emission and absorption of electromagnetic radiation, scattering, adiabatic approximation

EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

·         Extend quantum theory to three dimensions using the machinery of angular momentum for systems with spherical symmetry.

·         Discuss the spin or formalism to describe physical spin and two-level systems.

·         Compute the dynamical evolution of quantum systems and convert results between the different representations of quantum theory.

·         Describe independent quantum systems, including identical particles, and give their quantum information content.

·         Examine in detail a number of key experiments relating to the quantum theory.

·         Apply Schrödinger’s equation to determine advanced problems in quantum mechanics.