Phys622: Introduction to Quantum Mechanics I
Spring 1996
Monday, Wednesday, & Friday, 12:00 p.m.-12:50 p.m.
Physics Building 1402
Instructor:
Dr. Victor Yakovenko, Assistant Professor
Office: Physics 2314
Phone: (301)-405-6151
E-mail: yakovenk@glue.umd.edu
Office hours: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 12:50
p.m.- 1:30 p.m., right after each class, or by appointment. I also
encourage discussion by e-mail.
Purpose of the course is to make you proficient in
solving quantum-mechanical problems. This skill is indispensable to
every physicist. In practical terms, it will help you to pass
Ph. D. qualifying exam, which is devoted in half to quantum mechanics.
Phys622 and Phys623 form two parts of the course in quantum mechanics.
The first part, Phys622, deals with the basics of quantum mechanics
and partially overlaps with the undergraduate material. The second
part, Phys623, which I plan to give in the fall of 1996, is more
advanced and deals with the approximate methods and applications of
quantum mechanics.
Prerequisite: Undergraduate background in quantum
mechanics and mathematics.
- Topics to be covered in Phys622 (this course):
- Foundations of Quantum Mechanics
- Simple Problems in One Dimension
- Harmonic Oscillator
- Symmetries
- Angular Momentum and Spin
- Hydrogen Atom
- Topics to be covered in Phys623 (next fall):
- Variational Method
- WKB Approximation
- Perturbation Theory
- Scattering
- Addition of Angular Momenta
- Atoms and Molecules
- Textbooks:
- No single textbook contains all required material. Thus, it may
be necessary to use several books.
- Our main Textbook will be "Principles of Quantum
Mechanics" by R. Shankar (second edition). Theoretical
reading and home exercises will be assigned from this textbook. It is
verbose and its level is somewhat elementary, on the border with the
undergraduate one. If you feel it is too simple, we can switch to a
more advanced book.
- The textbooks listed below are not required, but you may wish to
look at them occasionally for a clarification or a topic missing in
Shankar. All of them should be available at the University Book
Center and on reserve at the EPSL library.
- L. D. Landau and E. M. Lifshitz's "Quantum Mechanics
(Non-Relativistic Theory)" is a classical reference,
indispensable to anybody who plans to specialize in theoretical
physics, especially in condensed matter. Written in a very condensed
style, it contains enormous amount of material, mush of which is
required for the qualifier. I highly recommended this book, but am
afraid to select it as a main textbook.
- Gordon Baym's "Lectures on Quantum Mechanics"
contain many useful applications not described anywhere else, but some
other topics are fragmentary.
- J. J. Sakurai's "Modern Quantum Mechanics"
includes many modern topics. Written by a high-energy theorist, the
book is tilted toward algebraic approach and systematically avoids
equations in coordinate space, that is, the Schrödinger
equation.
- E. Mertzbacher's "Quantum Mechanics" is a
"standard" graduate textbook with an old-fashioned presentation. It
contains a lot of material, but, unfortunately, its very short table
of contents does not allow to search for necessary items.
Homework: will be given on Mondays and will be due
in one week on the next Mondays, Homework can be placed in the box on
the door of my office (Phys 2314), sent by e-mail, or returned in
class.
Exams: There will be several in-class
exams, as well as the final one. You are allowed to use any books or
notes during all exams. It may be necessary to use numerical
calculators.
Grades: You will receive points for homework,
in-class exams, and classroom activity, such as demonstration of
solutions in the class. The points will be normalized and the final
score will be converted to the ABC grades. So, solve all assignments
on time and be active in discussions.
E-mail: You are required to have an electronic mail
account and use it. If you don't have one, contact Computer Science
Center.
Mode of operation: No lectures will be given.
Theoretical material from the textbook will be assigned for home
reading. Plenty of problems will be given. Classroom time will be
devoted to answering questions, discussing solutions of problems, and
in-class exams. Discussion by e-mail is also encouraged.
Active participation is required. This means that
you should attempt to understand a topic or to solve a problem
yourself, without waiting for somebody to explain it. All homework
assignments will be given before any explanations of
corresponding topics. If, after the attempt, you still do not
understand something, try to formulate what is the obstacle and ask
appropriate questions. The questions may be submitted to me by
e-mail. I may ask students to present solutions of problems in the
class.
Attendance: Attendance of classes is not required,
unless an in-class exam is announced. If you come to the class, better
bring a question. I will broadcast important announcements by e-mail
and post the homework and announcements at the home page of the course on the World Wide
Web.
Feedback: I would appreciate you comments and suggestions about
the course at any time and in any form. I am particularly
interested in your opinion about different textbooks.
Paperwork: Preserve my handouts and your
calculations. I will often refer to previous homework problems and
solutions.
Last updated September 3, 1996
Home page of Victor Yakovenko