Module Information

Module Identifier
PHM3010
Module Title
Quantum Technology
Academic Year
2016/2017
Co-ordinator
Professor John Gough
Semester
Semester 1
Pre-Requisite
PH23720
Other Staff
 

Course Delivery

Delivery Type Delivery length / details
Lecture 22 x 1 Hour 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.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 7