OSU Physics
Intro QM
Dr. A Xie
Syllabus
PHYS4513: Introductory Quantum Mechanics
Oklahoma State University
Instructor:
Professor Aihua Xie
Office: 230B HBRC &744-6589 (Tel)
E-mails: phys4313@okstate.edu; Aihua.xie@okstate.edu
Textbook:
Introduction to Quantum Mechanics (2nd edition) by David J. Griffiths (required)
Prerequisites: PHYS3713 (Modern Physics I) & Math2233 (Differential Equations)
Class Times:
MWF 1:30-2:20 pm at PS 108
Office Hours: M 2:20-3:20 pm, T 1:30-2:30 pm and by appointment
Description:
Part 1:
PHYS4513 provides an introduction to quantum mechanics for physics majors and grad
students in Physics.
Review of early developments of quantum physics
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Part 2:
Why quantization?
The meaning of quantization
The Bohr atomic model
De Broglie Postulate & Matter Waves
Basic quantum mechanics (1D)
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Part 3:
Wave functions (why and meaning), operators & expectation values
Schrödinger equations (time-independent)
Basic applications of Schrödinger equations (infinite square well, harmonic oscillator…)
Quantum Mechanics in Three Dimensions
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Part 4:
Schrödinger equation in spherical coordinates
The hydrogen atom
Angular momentum
Spin (the helium atom & magnetic field)
Applications of Quantum Mechanics
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Part 5:
Identical particles
Periodic table
The Variational principle & the ground state of helium
Computational Quantum Mechanics
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Software G09 and GaussView
Input & output files and checkpoint files
Computational quantum mechanics: structure, energy, electron density, hydrogen bonding
interactions, vibrational frequencies
1
OSU Physics
Grades:
Intro QM
Dr. A Xie
Grades will be calculated based on homework (60 points), presentation (30), computational
quantum mechanics project report (30), mid-term exam (100) and final exam (200). If your
final exam is better than mid-term exam, only the final exam will be used for grade
calculation (300). Regular homework will be assigned to help you develop problem solving
skills and enhance your learning and understanding. They will be graded for efforts only.
The grading scale will be: A ≥ 85 > B ≥ 75 > C ≥ 65 > D ≥ 55 > F from normalized scores.
Tentative schedule:
Week
1
2
3
4
5
6
Date/Lecture
Lecture
Note
1/13 L1
Planck quantum model & Bohr’s Atom
Review
1/15 L2
Wavefunction, probability & Schrödinger equation
Read G1.1-1.3
1/17 L3
Wavefunction & Normalization
Read G1.4
1/20
University Holiday
No class
1/22 L4
Operators & expectation values
Read G1.5
1/24 L5
Heisenberg uncertainty principle & wave packets
Read G1.6
1/27 L6
Stationary States
Read G2.1
1/29 L7
Stationary states in infinite square well
Read G2.2
1/31 L8
Properties & applications of infinite square well
Read G2.2
2/3 L9
The harmonic oscillator: part 1
Read G2.3
2/5 L10
The harmonic oscillator: part 2
Read G2.3
2/7 L11
The free particle, phase velocity & group velocity
Read G2.4
2/10 L12
Step potential & quantum tunneling
Extra Reading
2/12 L13
The Delta Function Potential & quantum tunneling
Read G2.5
2/14 L14
The finite square well
Read G2.6
2/17 L15
Hilbert space
Read G3.1
2/19 L16
Observables
Read G3.2
2/21 L17
Review & example problems for mid-term exam
For March 3
2/24 L18
Eigenfunctions of hermitian operators
Read G3.3
2/24+
Mid-term Exam (Chapters 1 & 2)
2/26 L19
Generalized statistical interpretation
Read G3.4
2/28 L20
Generalized Heisenberg uncertainty principles
Read G3.5
3/3
APS March Meeting
No classes
7
8
2
Homework
HW 1
Due 1/22
HW 2
Due 1/29
HW 3
Due 2/5
HW 4
Due 2/12
HW 5
Due 2/19
HW 6
Due 2/28
HW7
Due 3/14
OSU Physics
Intro QM
Dr. A Xie
3/5
APS March Meeting
3/7
APS March Meeting
3/10 L21
Schrodinger equation in 2D & 3D systems Part 1
Read 4.1
3/10+ L22
Schrodinger equation in 2D & 3D systems Part 2
For March 5
3/12 L23
The hydrogen atom
Read G4.2
3/14 L24
The hydrogen atom
Read G4.2
3/17
Spring Break
3/19
Spring Break
3/21
Spring Break
3/24 L25
The angular momentum: Eigen values
Read G4.3.1
3/24+ L26
The angular momentum: Eigen functions
Read G4.3.2
3/26 L27
Spin: Spin 1/2
Read G4.4.1
3/28 L28
Spin: Electron in a magnetic field
Read G4.4.2
3/31 L29
Identical particles: Bosons & Fermions
Read G5.1.1
4/2 L30
Atoms: Helium
Read G5.2.1
4/4 L31
Atoms: the periodic table & Hund’s rules
Read G5.2.2
4/9 L32
More discussions about the periodic table
Read G5.2.2
4/11 L33
The variational principle
Read G7.1
4/13 L34
The ground state of Helium
Read G7.2
4/16 L35
More about the ground state of Helium atom
Read G7.2
4/18 L36
Computational quantum mechanics: principles
Read Handout1
4/20 L37
Use of software G09 and GaussView
Read Handout2
4/23 L38
Computation of energy and structure
Read Handout3
4/25 L39
Computation of electron density
Read Handout4
4/27 L40
Computation of vibrational frequencies
Read Handout5
4/30 L41
Computation of hydrogen bond interactions
Read Handout6
5/2
Class Presentation on CQM
5/4 L42
Review or reading
5/7
Final Exam 2:00-3:50 pm
9
10
No classes
11
12
13
14
15
16
Final
Week
3
HW 8
Due 3/26
No new HW
HW 9
Due 4/2
HW10
Due 4/11
HW11
Due 4/20
HW 12
Due 4/25
CQM Project
Due 5/3
No new HW
CQM Project
Due 5/3
OSU Physics
Intro QM
4
Dr. A Xie