Phys 4800 / 4810 - Quantum Mechanics I and II

Course Numbers: Phys 4800 and Phys 4810

Course Name: Quantum Mechanics I & II

Credits: Both 3 Cr

Instructor: Michael Tringides (mctringi@iastate.edu)

PreReq: Phys 4800: Credit in MATH 3850 and PHYS 3210;   Phys 4810: Credit in PHYS 4800

Course Descriptions

Two-semester sequence that provides a systematic development of the formalism and applications of quantum mechanics. Topics covered include:

Phys 4800 (Fall)

  • Solutions to the time independent Schrodinger equation for various one-dimensional potentials including the harmonic oscillator
  • Operator methods
  • Heisenberg picture
  • Angular momentum
  • Hydrogen atom
  • Spin
  • Symmetry properties.

Phys 4810 (Spring)

  • Addition of angular momentum
  • Charged particles in electromagnetic fields
  • Time-independent perturbation theory
  • Variational principles
  • WKB approximation
  • Interaction picture
  • Time-dependent perturbation theory
  • Adiabatic approximation
  • Scattering; selected topics in radiation theory
  • Quantum paradoxes