Introductory Quantum Mechanics I

Calendar

Lec #	TOPICS	KEY DATES
1-4	Experimental Evidence for Quantum Mechanics Polarization of Light Single Molecule Fluorescence
5-7	The Machinery of Quantum Mechanics Hilbert Space State Vectors Bra-Ket Operators and Eigenvalues
8-12	Exactly Solvable Problems Operators and States in Real Space Harmonic Oscillator Position Representation and Wave Mechanics Piecewise Constant Potentials	Problem set 1 due after Lec #8 Problem set 2 due after Lec #11
13-15	Matrix Mechanics Vector Representation of States Matrices as Operators Interesting Matrix Properties Discrete Variable Representation Variational Method	Problem set 3 due after Lec #14 Problem set 4 due after Lec #17
16-18	Time Dependence Energy Eigenstates and Stationary States The Propagator Time Dependence of Average Values Matrix Representations of the Propagator Example: Inversion of the Ammonia Molecule	Midterm exam handed out after Lec #18
19-20	Angular Momentum Rotations Commutation Relations Eigenstates
21-22	Central Potentials Spherical Polar Coordinates Orbital Angular Momentum Operators Spherical Harmonics The Radial Equation Hydrogen-like Atoms Electron Spin	Midterm exam due after Lec #21
23-24	Addition of Angular Momenta Coupled and Uncoupled Bases Recursion Relations The Triangle Rule
25	Wigner-Eckart Theorem Spherical Tensors
26-28	Perturbation Theory	Problem set 5 due after Lec #27
29-31	Identical Particles The Product Basis Symmetry Under Exchange Two Electron Atoms Hartree-Fock Perturbation Theory Configuration Interaction	Problem set 5 due after Lec #31
32-34	The Born-Oppenheimer Approximation The Adiabatic Approximation The Coupled Channel Hamiltonian Non-Adiabatic Effects Diabatic States Electron Transfer
35-38	The Hydrogen Molecule Minimal Atomic Orbital Basis Molecular Orbital Picture Valence Bond Picture	Problem set 7 due after Lec #35 Final exam after Lec #38