Summary Learning Goals
Goal 1: Predict and contrast the results of Stern Gerlach experiments for classical and quantum particles
Goal 2: Use linear algebra concepts (inner products, change of basis, eigenvectors, etc.) to describe quantum systems
Goal 3: Calculate probabilities, expectations values, and uncertainties for various experiments
Goal 4: Describe the effects of a measurement on the state vector for a quantum system
Goal 5: Make predictions about the time evolution of quantum states and probabilities
Goal 6: Appreciate quantum ”spookiness”(??) (Distinguish purely quantum behavior from classical)
Goal 7: Use spin-1/2 systems as a productive analogy for generic quantum systems and the infinite square well
Goal 8: Use and explain the connections between Dirac, matrix, and wavefunction notations to perform calculations
Course Schedule of Topics
Classical Review: Spin and Magnetic Moment
- Hour 1: Administrative
- Hour 2: Classical Angular Momentum
- SWBQ: Review Angular Momentum
- SWBQ: Spinning Top Precession
- Bicycle wheel precession demo (background for Spin Precession)
- Hour 3: Magnetic Moment
- Force & Torque on a magnetic moment
- SWQB Sequence: Spinning Charged Sphere in a Magnetic Field
- Intro to Stern-Gerlach Experiment
Math Bits: Linear Algebra and Complex Numbers
- Hour 5 Complex Numbers
- Hour 6 Linear Transformations
- Hour 7 Bra Ket and Matrix Elements
- Hours 8-9 Eigenvectors and Eigenvalues
- Hour 10 Special Matricies
Spin Systems
- WCD: What is a model?
- WCD: What is a state?
- Introduce the State Postulate
- SGA : Probabilities of Stern-Gerlach Measurement Simulation
- Introduce quantum state vector
- Probabilities as norm squares of coefficients
- The Probability Postulate
- Representing quantum states with arms
- Hour 13: UNNAMED
- Introduce Spin 1 and General Quantum States
- Hour 14: Determining Spins State from Data
- Finding coefficients from SG data, in general
- Finding $| \pm\rangle_x$ and $| \pm\rangle_y$ from SG data
- Real space vs. Hilbert space and visualizing quantum states with graphs and arms
- Hour 15: Orthogonal and Normal Vectors
- Finding orthogonal vectors
- Normalizing quantum state vectors
- Hour 16: Bases
- Using different bases to express quantum states
- $| \pm\rangle_n$ in spherical coordinates
- Hour 17: Determining States from Data
SGA: Finding Unknown States
Operators
- Hour 18: Collapse & Projection Operators
- Projection Operators
- The Projection Postulate
- Hour 19 UNNAMED
- Hour 20: Observables
- Properties of Hermitian Matrices: Orthogonality, Real Eigenvectors
- Spin Eigenvalue Equations
- SGA: Matrix Form of Spin Operators
- Hour 21: Total Spin
- Calculating matrix elements of operators
- Spin Vector $\vec{S}$
- $\hat{S}^2$ operator
- Hour 22: (Optional) EPR Paradox
Measurement
- Hour 23: Statistics
- Average and Standard Deviation
- Expectation Value and Uncertainty
- Hour 24: Communtation
- Commutation
- Hour 25: Uncertainty Relations
- Uncertainty Relations
Time Dependence
- Hour 26: Solving Schrodinger
- For Time Independent Hamiltonians
- Hour 27: Stationary States
- SGA: Conditions for Time Dependent Probabilities
- Hour 28: Precession
- Spin Precession
- Hour 29: UNNAMED
- Rabi Oscillations
Intro to Spatial Potentials
- Hour 30: Classical Probability Density
- Hour 31: Wavefunction Representation
- Wavefunctions
- Translating between Dirac Notation and Wavefunction language
- SGA: Operators and Functions
- Hours 33: Infinite Square Well
- Separate Variables
- Solve Spatial Diff. Eq.
- Apply Boundary Conditions & Normalization
- Interpret Eigenstates
- Covariation with parameters
- Visualize with PhET
- Solve Time Dependence
- Visualize with PhET
- Review Stationary States
- Hours 36-37: Representations of ISW
- SGA: Representations of ISW Superposition States
Review
- Hour 38: Review
Optional Topics
Can be skipped
- Neutrino Oscillation (SGA) 40 min
- Magnetic Resonance
- EPR Paradox
- Schrodinger's Cat