Lecture notes (click on topic to access)

Number
Date
Topic
Lecture 1
September 4
  Review of 424 material: Postulates of quantum mechanics
Lecture 2
September 9
  Review of 424 material: Problem solving
Lecture 3
September 16
  Two-particle systems
Lecture 4
September 18
  Atoms
  Computer simulation: Periodic table
Lecture 5
September 22
  Solids: Free electron gas
Lecture 6
September 23
  Solids: Band structure
  Computer simulation: Band Structure
Lecture 7
September 25
  Quantum Statistical Mechanics
Lecture 8
September 29
  Quantum Statistical Mechanics contd.
Lecture 9
September 30
  Nondegenerate perturbation theory
Lecture 10
October 7
  Degenerate perturbation theory
Lecture 11
October 9
  Perturbation theory, problem solving
Midterm #1
October 14
  Midterm # 1
Lecture 12
October 16
  Review of Midterm # 1 and Quiz # 2
Lecture 13
October 21
  The variational principle
Lecture 14
October 23
  The variational principle, Helium atom
Lecture 15
October 28
  The Helium atom continued. The WKB approximation
Lecture 16
October 30
  The WKB approximation
  Computer simulation: Alpha Decay
Lecture 17
November 6
  Review of Midterm # 2 material. Problem solving.
Midterm # 2
November 11
  Midterm # 2
Lecture 18
November 18
  The WKB approximation. Alpha decay. Problem solving.
Lecture 19
November 20
  WKB approximation, connection formulas.
Lecture 20
November 24
  Time-dependent perturbation theory
Lecture 21
November 25
  Emission and absorption of radiation
  Computer simulation: Lasers
Lecture 22
December 2
  Scattering
Lecture 23
December 4
  Scattering. Partial wave analysis.
Lecture 24
December 9
  Course review. Final exam practice problems.