PH-401 Quantum Mechanics-II (Pre-requisite PH-305)
- Motion of a particle in a central potential. Separation of variables, effective potential, solution for the Coulomb problem. Spectrum of the hydrogen atom.
- Spin as an internal degree of freedom, intrinsic magnetic moment, intrinsic angular momentum, spin-orbit interaction and total angular momentum.
- Identical particles: Many-particle systems, system of distinguishable noninteracting particles, systems of identical particles, symmetrization postulate, Pauli exclusion principle and the periodic table.
- Time-independent perturbation theory: Nondegenerate perturbation theory, degenerate perturbation theory.
- The variational principle: Variational theorem, variational approximation method, the ground state of helium atom.
- The WKB approximation: WKB wave functions, general connection rules across a classical turning point, tunneling.
- Time-dependent perturbation theory: A perturbed two-level system, perturbation by an electromagnetic wave, transition into a continuum of states-Fermi’s golden rule, Oscillator strengths, selection rules.
- Scattering: Classical scattering theory, quantum scattering theory, partial wave analysis, phase shifts, the Born approximation.
- The adiabatic approximation: The adiabatic theorem, Berry’s phase, the Aharonov-Bohm effect.
Recommended texts:
- Introductory Quantum Mechanics, by Richard L. Liboff, publisher: Addison Wesley; 4th Edition, (2002).
- Introduction to Quantum Mechanics, by David J. Griffiths, publisher: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2nd Edition (2005).
- Quantum Physics, by Stephen Gasiorowicz, publisher: John Wiley, 3rd Edition (2005).