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PHSI424 Advanced Quantum Mechanics II

Paper Description

This course provides the theoretical foundations of describing many body quantum systems. Students will learn the essential theoretical formalism describing many-body quantum systems in a non-relativistic regime, gaining familiarity with second-quantization, quantizing the electromagnetic field, atom-light interactions, and the theory of the degenerate Bose gas, and the BCS phase of superconducting matter.

Prerequisites:
PHSI423

Recommended:
PHSI 336

Lectures and problem-based discussion supported by tutorials and assignments.

Assesment:
Final Exam 70%, Assignments 30%

Important information about assessment for PHSI424

Course Coordinator
Professor David Hutchinson

By the end of the module students are expected to be able to:

  • Know and be able to use the essential properties of Fock space.
  • Use the methods of second-quantized field theory for non-relativistic many-body problems.
  • Understand differences between Bose and Fermi particles and their field theories.
  • Be familiar with quantization of the Electromagnetic field, and description atom-light interactions.
  • Understand Bose-Einstein condensation, quasiparticles and superfluidity.
  • Appreciation of the BCS theory of superconductivity.



  • Fock space; second quanization
  • Bosons versus Fermions:
  • Quantization of the Electtomagnetic Field; atom-light interactions; basis cavity QED
  • Introduction to BEC; quasiparticles' superfluidity
  • Introduction to BSC

 

Formal University Information

The following information is from the University’s corporate web site.

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Details

Density operator; second quantisation; quantising the EM-field; atom-light interactions; open quantum systems; spontaneous emission; quantum beam splitter; squeezing; scattering theory, contact interactions; Bose-Einstein condensation; trapped condensates; quantum vortices; Bogoliubov theory.

Paper title Advanced Quantum Mechanics II
Paper code PHSI424
Subject Physics
EFTS 0.0833
Points 10 points
Teaching period Semester 2 (On campus)
Domestic Tuition Fees (NZD) $685.39
International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.

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Prerequisite
PHSI 423
Limited to
BSc(Hons), PGDipSci, MSc
Contact

david.hutchinson@otago.ac.nz

Teaching staff

Course co-ordinator: Professor David Hutchinson

Textbooks

Textbooks are not required for this paper.

Graduate Attributes Emphasised
Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Lifelong learning, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Information literacy, Self-motivation, Teamwork.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.
Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete the paper will:

  1. Understand the central concepts of quantum mechanical scattering theory.
  2. Use the methods of second-quantised field theory for non-relativistic many-body problems.
  3. Understand differences between Bose and Fermi particles and their field theories.
  4. Be familiar with quantisation of the Electromagnetic field and description atom-light interactions.
  5. Understand Bose-Einstein condensates, quasiparticles and superfluidity.

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Timetable

Semester 2

Location
Dunedin
Teaching method
This paper is taught On Campus
Learning management system
None