PHY 4605 / PHY 5608: Quantum Theory of Matter B

Syllabus

Lectures: MWF 11:15am -- 12:05pm, HCB 314.

Lecturer: Nick Bonesteel
Office: 410 Keen (Physics Department); A313 (Magnet Lab)
Tel.:  (850) 644-2516 (Department); (850) 644-7805 (Magnet Lab)
E-mail: bonestee@magnet.fsu.edu


Office Hours:  Office hours will be held on MW 1:30pm – 3:30pm in 410 Keen.  If these times are not convenient, please feel free to contact me at any time to arrange an appointment.  (The best way to do this is by e-mail.)


Course Descriptions:  This is the second semester of a two semester undergraduate level course covering the theory of quantum mechanics.  This theory is at the heart of much of our current understanding of the physical world and is the basis of most branches of modern physics (particle physics, nuclear physics, condensed matter physics, etc.).  The goal of the course is to introduce you to the main concepts and tools for applying quantum mechanics to a variety of different problems.

Prerequisites: PHY 4604 (Quantum Theory of Matter A).

Main Text: D.J. Griffiths, Introduction to Quantum Mechanics (Second Edition), (Pearson Prentice Hall, 2005). (amazon.com).  Available at the FSU Bookstore.


Other Useful Texts:

  • S. Gasiorowicz, Quantum Physics (Third Edition), (Wiley, 2003).
  • C. Cohen-Tannoudji et al., Quantum Mechanics Vols. I and II (First Edition), (Wiley, 2006).
  • R. Shankar, Principles of Quantum Mechanics (Second Edition), (Springer, 2004).
  • K. Gottfried and T.-M. Yan, Quantum Mechanics: Fundamentals, (Springer, 2003).


Course Web Page: http://www.physics.fsu.edu/courses/spring12/phy4605

 

Outline of Course Content (Tentative):

Chapter

Topic

Week

____________

______________________________________

_____

 

Ch. 4

 

Quantum Theory of Angular Momentum

 

1-2

Ch. 5

Identical Particles

3-4

Ch. 6

Ch. 7 & Ch. 8

Ch. 9

Ch. 11

Time-Independent Perturbation Theory
Other Approximations (Variational & WKB)
Time-Dependent Perturbation Theory
Scattering Theory

5-8

9-10

11-12
13-14

                                                                                                                           

As in the last semester, I plan on following Griffiths’ book closely – so reading ahead is encouraged! The text will on occasion be supplemented by material from other sources (e.g. from the above list of books).

Course Work:  Course grades will be determined by your performance on the assigned problem sets, two midterm exams, and a final exam.  The percentage contribution of each to the overall grade will be as follows

  • Homework (25%)
  • Two Midterm Exams (25% each for a total of 50%)
  • Final Exam (25%)

 

Problem sets will be assigned every Friday, and will be due at the beginning of class on the following Friday.  Solutions will be posted on this website. No late homework will be accepted except for the case of excused absences (see below).    Discussion of the homework among students is encouraged, but each student should hand in his/her own solutions.  Since a significant portion of your final grade will come from these weekly assignments, homework will be accepted and graded only if written in a neat and orderly fashion, and if the answers are justified by showing complete work.

 

Homework Assignments:

 

  • HW#1 (Quantum Theory of Angular Momentum):  Griffiths, Chap. 4, Problems 4.18, 4.19, 4.20, 4.22, 4.23.  Due: Friday, Jan. 13.
  • HW#2 (More Angular Momentum, Intrinsic Spin):  Click here for pdf.  Due: Friday, Jan. 20.
  • HW#3 (Larmor Precession, Addition of Angular Momenta): Griffiths, Chap. 4, Problems 4.32, 4.34, 4.35, 4.36, 4.51, 4.55.  Due: Friday, Jan. 27 (Deadline extended to Monday, Jan. 30).
  • HW#4 (Reduced Mass, Identical Particles, Exchange Force):  Click here for pdf.  Due: Monday, Feb. 6.
  • HW#5 (More Identical Particles, Atoms and the Periodic Table): Griffiths, Chap. 5, Problems 5.7, 5.10, 5.11, 5.12, 5.13.  Due: Monday, Feb. 13.
  • HW#6 (Time-Independent Perturbation Theory – Nondegenerate Case): Click here for pdf.  Due: Monday, Feb. 20.
  • MIDTERM #1 --- Wednesday, Feb. 29.  (Solution)
  • HW#7 (Time-Independent Perturbation Theory – Degenerate Case, Relativistic Corrections): Griffiths, Chap. 6, Problems 6.7, 6.8, 6.9, 6.11, 6.14, 6.16.  Due: Wednesday, Mar. 14.
  • HW#8 (More Degenerate Perturbation Theory: Fine Structure, Zeeman and Stark Effects): Griffiths, Chap. 6, Problems 6.18, 6.19, 6.21, 6.23, 6.25, 6.36.   Due: Wednesday, Mar. 21.  (Deadline extended to Friday, Mar. 23).
  • HW#9 (Hyperfine Splitting, Variational Principle): Click here for pdf.  Due: Friday, Mar. 30.
  • MIDTERM #2 --- Friday, Apr. 6.  (Solution)
  • HW#10 (Time-Dependent Perturbation Theory, Atomic Lifetimes and Linewidths): Click here for pdf.  Due: Friday, Apr. 13
  • HW#11 (Selection Rules, Scattering Theory): Click here for pdf.  Due: Friday, Apr. 20

 

FINAL EXAM:  HCB 314, Monday, April 23, 10:00am – 12noon

 

 

Homework Solutions will be posted on the course Blackboard page.   To find them just click on “HW Solutions.”

University Attendance Policy:
Excused absences include documented illness, deaths in the family and other documented crises, call to active military duty or jury duty, religious holy days, and official University activities. These absences will be accommodated in a way that does not arbitrarily penalize students who have a valid excuse. Consideration will also be given to students whose dependent children experience serious illness.

Academic Honor Policy:
The Florida State University Academic Honor Policy outlines the University’s expectations for the integrity of students’ academic work, the procedures for resolving alleged violations of those expectations, and the rights and responsibilities of students and faculty members throughout the process. Students are responsible for reading the Academic Honor Policy and for living up to their pledge to “. . . be honest and truthful and . . . [to] strive for personal and institutional integrity at Florida State University.” (Florida State University Academic Honor Policy, found at http://dof.fsu.edu/honorpolicy.htm.)

Americans With Disabilities Act:
Students with disabilities needing academic accommodation should:
(1) register with and provide documentation to the Student Disability Resource Center; and
(2) bring a letter to the instructor indicating the need for accommodation and what type. This should be done during the first week of class.

This syllabus and other class materials are available in alternative format upon request.

For more information about services available to FSU students with disabilities, contact the:

Student Disability Resource Center
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Florida State University
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(850) 644-9566 (voice)
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Free Tutoring from FSU:
On-campus tutoring and writing assistance is available for many courses at Florida State University. For more information, visit the Academic Center for Excellence (ACE) Tutoring Services’ comprehensive list of on-campus tutoring options - see http://ace.fsu.edu/tutoring or contact tutor@fsu.edu. High-quality tutoring is available by appointment and on a walk-in basis. These services are offered by tutors trained to encourage the highest level of individual academic success while upholding personal academic integrity.  

Syllabus Change Policy:
Except for changes that substantially affect implementation of the evaluation (grading) statement, this syllabus is a guide for the course and is subject to change with advance notice.