Quantum Mechanics

• Identify physical systems that require a quantum mechanical description.
• Solve Schrödinger’s equation for simple one-dimensional systems and interpret the results.
• Quote the eigenvalues for the most important quantum mechanical operators.
• Outline and explain the basic postulates of quantum mechanics.
• Explain and apply Dirac notation.
• Recall the most important commutator relations.
• Formulate the connection between symmetry and conservation laws.
• Apply creation and anihilation operator techniques.
• Calculate eigenvalues and eigenfunctions for perturbed systems.
• Analyse simple molecular systems by means of the quantum mechanical variational principle.
• Recognize and apply professional terminology in English.

Particles as waves, Schrödinger’s equation. Expectations values, operators, eigenvalues, and stationary states. Dirac formalism. Commutators, unitary transformations, and matrix representation. Symmetry and conservation laws. Free particles, the potential well, and the harmonic oscillator. Angular momenta, central potentials, and the hydrogen atom. Perturbation theory and the variational method. Identical spin ½-particles.

10036/31400/01035/01325/34031, or equivalent courses, especially within electromagnetism and
mathematics: series and expansions

Lectures, problem solving, online material. One week mini-project.