Ph 617 Quantum Mechanics

A detailed discussion of the approximation models for solving the time-independent Schrödinger equation; scattering theory in terms of stationary unbound states; time-dependent theory including the perturbation method; the two-level problem and its application to laser operation. Dirac's formulation using bra and ket; different time-evolution pictures; concept of density matrices; Berry's phase; quantum theory of angular momentum; Feynman's path integral formulation; introduction to relativistic quantum mechanics; issues on the fundamental aspects of quantum mechanics including Bell's theorem, the EPR paradox, hidden-variable theory; and Schrödinger's cat problem. This is the first course in a sequence of three: Ph 617, Ph 618, and Ph 619.