==== Course Overview ====
FIXME: Course Site Under Construction.

The "Quantum Measurements and Spin" course is built upon the quantum mechanical two state system. The first of the Quantum Paradigms, this course introduces students to quantum mechanics by beginning with the postulates of quantum mechanics and how the postulates are used to gather information about quantum mechanical systems.  The common spin-up and spin-down state vectors with x,y, and z-orientation will be derived, and the general state vector $\vert \psi (\theta,\phi ) \rangle$ will also be introduced. Throughout the class, students perform several simulated experiments with virtual Stern-Gerlach devices and interpret their results ([[props:start#Spins OSP Software|Spins OSP software]]). Operators that correspond to physical observables in quantum experimentation are then presented; students will learn in particular about spin operators, projection operators, the density operator, and the Hamiltonian.  Important physical relations among these quantum operators will also be made using the commutators, uncertainty relations, and expectation values.  Spin 1 systems are also introduced as an additional context for exploring and interpreting Stern-Gerlach experiments. The time evolution of quantum states using the Schrodinger Equation will also be explored to investigate time dependence in probabilities, uncertainties, and expectation values.  The course ends with introductions to special topics of spin precession, Rabi oscillations, and magnetic resonance.
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**Textbook:**
[[texts:quantumbook:start|Quantum Mechanics: A Paradigms Approach]]----a
textbook that follows the paradigms approach.  The chapters that are relevant
to the Quantum Measurement and Spins course are: the appendix on linear
algebra: Linear Algebra and Matrices,
Chapter 1: Stern-Gerlach Experiments,
Chapter 2: Operators and Measurement,
Chapter 3: Schrödinger Time Evolution and
Chapter 4: Quantum Spookiness, and the
{{.:spinsguide.pdf|Instructor's Guide}}

==== Sample Syllabus ====
[[http://www.physics.oregonstate.edu/~corinne/COURSES/ph425/|Course Webpage Winter 2011]]

==== Activities Included ====

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