Ph 651   Quantum Mechanics I

Physics Department, Oregon State University

Fall 2022 term

Instructor: Oksana Ostroverkhova (Wngr 413)
Lectures: MWF 9am, Weniger 304
Course Information
(pdf file) 


DateLectures AssignmentsNotes
09/27 Problems with classical theory and emergence of quantum mechanics. (notes)   WS 1 papers: 1, 2, 3
09/29 Wave aspects of matter. (notes) Linear spaces. HW 1 (solutions) WS 2
10/02 Linear spaces (ctd.). Hilbert space. Dirac notation. Bra-ket algebra. (notes)   WS 3
10/04 Operators. Properties of operators. Commutators.(notes) HW 2 (solutions) WS 4
10/06 Projection operator. (notes)   WS 5
10/09 Matrix representation.(notes) Measurements. Eigenvalues and expectation values. (notes) HW 3 (solutions) WS 6
10/11 Measurements: non-degenerate vs degenerate eigenvalues. (supplement) Nobel Prize in Physics 2023 awarded to Agostini, L'Hullier, and Krausz for groundbreaking experiments in attosecond physics ! WS 7 Intro to attosecond science: 1
10/13 Compatible observables and uncertainty relations.(notes) HW 4 (solutions)  
10/16 Complete sets of commuting observables. (notes)    
10/18 Change of basis. Infinitesimal and finite unitary trasformations.(notes)   WS 8
10/20 Infinitesimal and finite unitary trasformations (ctd.)   WS 9
10/23 Translation in space. Position, momentum, and translation. (notes) HW 5 (solutions) WS 10
10/25 Momentum operator in the position basis.(notes)   WS 11
10/27 Gaussian wave packets.(notes)   WS 12
10/30 Time evolution of the system.(notes)   WS 13
11/01 Midterm   (9 am, Weniger 304)    
11/03 Time evolution of expectation values. The virial theorem.(notes)   WS 14
11/06 The Schroedinger versus the Heisenberg picture.(notes)   WS 15
11/08 Time-dependent and time-independent Schroedinger equation.(notes) HW 6 (solutions) WS 16
11/10 No class: Veteran's Day     
11/13 Energy quantization.(notes)    
11/15 Parity operator. Symmetric potentials and parity.(notes)   WS 17
11/17 Interpretations of the wave function. Scattering in 1D.Tunneling through potential barriers. (notes) HW 7 (solutions) WS 18 STM Nature Physics
11/17 (make up) Interpretations of the wave function. Scattering in 1D.Tunneling through potential barriers (ctd.)(notes)    
11/20 Harmonic oscillator (coordinate representation). (notes)   WS 19 papers: 1, 2
11/22 Harmonic oscillator (number representation). (notes) HW 8 (solutions) WS 20
11/24 no class: Thanksgiving    
11/27-29 no class: Oksana at MRS meeting in Boston    
12/01 Time development of the oscillator. (notes)   WS 21
12/04 The classical limit. (notes)    
12/06 WKB approximation.(notes)   WS 22 PRL1998-WKB
12/06 (make up) Intro to Quantum Information (notes)    
12/08 Intro to quantum informaiton (ctd.). Conceptual and philosophical problems of QM. (notes) Final Exam: Monday December 11, 2 pm (Weniger 304)   Bell-Compact,
Sci07-entanglement,
Nat07-Bell, RPP1978-Bell,
Nat03-EPR, Sci03-Bell,
Sci05-EPR, PRB1935-Bohr,
PRB1935-EPR,