QUANTUM MECHANICS
  

Final exam syllabus

 
1. Feynman's Formulation of Quantum Mechanics
1. QM Amplitudes as a Sum over Paths
2. Classical Limit
Reading:
 Merzbacher: Sect 8.7 - (quantum propagator K(r',r;t), free particle K(r',r;t))
Merzbacher: Chapt 14 - Linear Vector Spaces

Ignore most of Predrag's
Chapter 1: Path Integrals 
(except for the real, complex, multidimensional Gaussian integrals)

 
2. WKB approximation

Reading:
Merzbacher: sect 6.4 to 6.5, sect 7.1 to 7.4
(connection formulas, WKB quantization, transmission rates)

Ignore Predrag's
Chapter 2: WKB approximation
3. Symmetry in QM
1. Linear momentum & translational symmetry
2. Spherically symmetric potentials
3. Angular momentum & rotational symmetry
4. Spherical harmonics
5. Coulomb field: hydrogen atom
6. S0(3) rotational symmetry, and its representations
Reading:
Merzbacher: chapters 9, 10, 12; sect 14.1 to 14.5, 14.7, 16.1 to 16.6, 16.9, 16.10

Suggested reading:
A. Jackson:
Chapters 9 to 12: central forces, angular momenta
pages 59-64, 77-86.

Ignore Predrag's notes on group theory:
Chapter 3: Discrete Fourier transform
Appendix A: Group theory
Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: Preview
Chapter 3: Invariants and irreducibility
4. Time independent perturbation theory
1. Bound state perturbation theory
2. Degenerate perturbation theory
3. Stark effect
4. Spin - orbit coupling
5. Fine structure of hydrogen
Reading:
Merzbacher: chapter 17

 


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Mean score:  ? points out of ? possible
Scores: ??.
Overal course grade will be determined from the homework (40%), midterm (20%), and the final (40%).

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Textbook

1. Quantum Mechanics, E. Merzbacher (John Wiley, 1990).



 
 
 

www.phys.nwu.edu/~predrag/NUcourses/D12-2-2000/syllabusFinal.html