Introductory quantum mechanics, spring 2016 (FY507: 10 ECTS)

This is a Bachelor level course that is subdivided in two parts. In the first part of the semester: To give the students a basic understanding of the quantum mechanical wave mechanics and its application to different physical phenomena supplemented by an introductory training in the mathematical formalism and problem solving. Second part of the semester: To achieve an operational knowledge of quantum mechanics of simple systems.

After completing the course the student is expected to be able to:

• qualitatively explain how the wave function of a stationary state depends on the energy of the particle and the form of the potential
• solve the Schrödinger equation for simple one-dimensional cases, both analytically and numerically
• explain the energy spectrum of the infinite well, the harmonic oscillator, and the Hydrogen atom and know the form of the associated wave functions
• calculate particle reflection and transmission probabilities for scattering in one dimension
• understand how band structure emerges in one-dimensional periodic potentials.
• apply different analytical methods to characterize simple quantum systems
• use different abstract formulations of quantum mechanics
• work with angular momentum
• perform perturbation calculations
• use variational methods for approximate calculations

More information about the course is available here.