PHYS 3317 - Applications of Quantum Mechanics

(PBS)

Fall. 3 credits.

Prerequisite: PHYS 3316. Prior exposure to programming (particularly Matlab) may be beneficial.

I. Bazarov.

Covers a number of applications of quantum mechanics to topics in modern physics. Uses the tools developed in PHYS 3316, and does not introduce new formalism. Topics include: the physics of single and multi-electron atoms, introduction to quantum statistics, band theory of solids, superconductivity, nuclear structure, elementary particle physics, and quantum computing. MATLAB or a similar computational platform will be used heavily in the course to gain insights into behavior of quantum systems. Previous familiarity with MATLAB is a plus though a quick tutorial will be provided to those unfamiliar with it. Students will be giving in-class seminars that will survey many exciting topics of modern physics. Students will use numerical techniques to study quantum mechanical phenomena.