Syllabus academic year 2010/2011
(Created 2010-07-25.)
QUANTUM MECHANICS AND MATHEMATICAL METHODSFMFF15
Credits: 7,5. Grading scale: TH. Cycle: G2 (First Cycle). Main field: Technology. Language of instruction: The course will be given in English on demand. FMFF15 overlaps following cours/es: FAF245, FAFF10 and FMA021. Compulsory for: N4nf. Optional for: E4, E4f, N5hn. Course coordinator: Peter Samuelsson, peter.samuelsson@teorfys.lu.se, Department of Physics. Recommended prerequisits: FAFA10 Quantum Phenomena and Nanotechnology, EXTF65 Mathematical Methods of Nanotechnology. Assessment: Written exam.

Aim
The student should after completing the course have a basic knowledge of quantum mechanics and mathematical methods of physics in order to continue studies in specializations towards nanophysics, highspeed- and nanoelectronics and photonics.

Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must

* be able to describe and apply the basic postulates of quantum mechanics.
* be able to see the usefulness of quantum theory in some applications.
* know the basics of mathematical methods in physics, especially with regard to applications in quantum physics.
* have applied knowledge of some special functions.

Skills and abilities
For a passing grade the student must

* be able to solve and analyze quantum mechanical problems in the field of nanoscience.
* be able to carry out calculations in which the mathematical methods of physics are applied to problems from nanophysics.
* be able to apply the mathematical methods of the course for carrying out a computer project and analyze the results.

Contents
Quantum mechanics: Formalism of quantum mechanics: The Schrödinger equation as eigenvalue equation. Hermitian operators representing physical quantities, eigenvalues and eigenfunctions. The harmonic oscillator. Calculation Methodology: First order perturbation theory, variational methods and matrix diagonalization. Spherical coordinates and angular momentum. Applications to the hydrogen atom and atomic structure. Spin and magnetic interactions. Periodic potential. Bloch wave functions.
Mathematical Methods: Partial differential equations - classification and boundary conditions. General information on the eigenfunctions of operators. Bessel functions. Applications to cylindrical symmetry problems. Legendre polynomials. Spherical harmonic functions.

Literature
Gunnar Ohlén: Kvantvärldens fenomen, chap. 5-8
Peter S. Riseborough: Mathematical methods 1, chap. 1-9. http://www.math.temple.edu/~prisebor/mm1.pdf (available free of charge on the net)