Module Information

Module Identifier

PHM3010

Module Title

Quantum Physics 2

Academic Year

2014/2015

Co-ordinator

Professor John Edward Gough

Semester

Semester 1

Pre-Requisite

Successful Completion of Physics Years 2 and 3.

Other Staff

Course Delivery

Delivery Type	Delivery length / details
Lecture	20 lectures

Assessment

Assessment Type	Assessment length / details	Proportion
Semester Exam	2 Hours Examination	70%
Semester Assessment	Assessed examples sheets	30%
Supplementary Exam	2 Hours	100%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

Be familiar with fundamental postulates of Quantum Mechanics.

Be able to solve simple model potential systems for elementary phenomena such as tunnelling and scattering and the hydrogen atom.

Be able to describe and apply the variational method for approximately the ground state of quantum mechanical systems.

Be able to describe and apply both time-independent and time-dependent perturbation theory.

Be able to describe open quantum systems, master equations, quantum noise models.

Brief description

Quantum mechanics is increasingly more important to technology. With the techniques of quantum chemistry the properties can be predicted for larger and larger molecules, leading to applications e.g. in drug design. Quantum mechanics is also leading to new technologies in a more direct way, e.g. through quantum computing.
This module introduces some of the theory behind these advanced applications. It introduces variational theory and perturbation theory, which underpin modern quantum chemistry. Furthermore, operator theoretic concepts are introduced with the aim of describing open quantum systems.

Content

1. Fundamentals of quantum mechanics and their relation to the properties of operators, wavefunctions and the eigenvalues that are observed.
2. Model potential well systems: finite potential well, scattering and tunneling, cubic and spherical wells.
3. Variational method.
4. Perturbation theory: stationary theory (non-degenerate: 1st and 2nd order, degenerate: 1st order), time-dependent: oscillating perturbation, radiative transition.
5. Evolution of a system and environment, reduced dynamics, the master equation, complete positivity and quantum information channels, Lindblad generators.

Aims

This MPhys module builds on PH23720 Quantum Mechanics I. The fundamentals and basic results of quantum mechanics are re-capped with a higher level of rigour. New topics are introduced such as perturbation theory (both time-dependent and time-independent) and quantum optics with applications to modern quantum technologies.

Module Skills

Skills Type	Skills details
Application of Number	Throughout the module.
Communication	Students will be expected to submit written worksheet solutions.
Improving own Learning and Performance	Feedback via tutorials.
Personal Development and Career planning	Students will be exposed to an area of application that they have not previously encountered.
Problem solving	All situations considered are problem-based to a greater or lesser degree.
Subject Specific Skills	Using differential geometric techniques in modeling.

Reading List

Recommended Text
Alistair I.M. Rae Quantum Mechanics Institute of Physics Primo search Phillips, A.C. Introduction to Quantum Mechanics John Wiley Primo search Reference Text
Davies, P.C.W. Quantum Mechanics Routledge & Kegan Primo search F. Mandl Quantum Mechanics John Wiley Primo search French, A P & Taylor, E F An Introduction to Quantum Physics MIT Introductory Physics Series Primo search Matthews Introduction to Quantum Mechanics McGraw-Hill Primo search Recommended Background
Hey, Tony & Walters, Patrick The New Quantum Universe Cambridge University Press Primo search

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 7