Details of PH2201 (Spring 2013)
| Level: 2 | Type: Theory | Credits: 3.0 |
| Course Code | Course Name | Instructor(s) |
|---|---|---|
| PH2201 | Physics IV | Siddhartha Lal |
| Syllabus |
|---|
| 1. Waves & Particles: Feynman's double-slit gedanken, Wave nature of
matter, Bohr Atom 2. Schroedinger equation: a heuristic derivation; the wave function and its meaning, the time-independent Schroedinger equation, qualitative solutions and the origin of quantisation, Heisenberg's uncertainty principle 3. The linear structure of quantum mechanics. Operators and observables. Eigenvalues, eigenstates and their significance with relation to measurements. Simultaneous observables. Relationship between commutators and uncertainty. The concept of complete set of commuting observables 4. Various examples of the time independent Schroedinger equation in 1 dimension: a. Bound state problems: Wells, the Harmonic oscillator, Using the operator method for solving the harmonic oscillator. b. Scattering problems: Barriers and tunneling. 5. Angular momentum: The position space approach. The quantum numbers l and m . Commutation relations. Ladder operator approach. 6. The Hydrogen atom. 7. Spin Angular Momentum and Spin-1/2. 8. Some applications of quantum theory (time permitting): a. Two-level systems: Einstein's A and B coefficients, population inversion, metastability, spontaneous and stimulated emission, lasing and coherence; Particle in a double-well and tunneling; Rabi oscillations b. Quantum interference: Aharanov-Bohm effect; particle on a circle c. Landau problem of particles in an external magnetic field d. Geometric Phases in quantum mechanics e. Fundamental interactions. The discovery and classification of elementary particles. Overview of the standard model. |
| References |
|---|
| Various basic textbooks on Quantum Physics, Solid State Physics, and Nuclear Physics (Scherrer, Powell and Crasemann, Feynman Vol.III, Schwabl,
Merzbacher, Sakurai etc.). |
Course Credit Options
| Sl. No. | Programme | Semester No | Course Choice |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | IP | 2 | Not Allowed |
| 2 | IP | 4 | Not Allowed |
| 3 | MS | 4 | Core |
| 4 | RS | 1 | Not Allowed |