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PHY-30029 - Module Specification
School of Chemical and Physical Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

For academic year: 2023/24 Last Updated: 13 February 2024

PHY-30029 - Quantum Mechanics II
Coordinator: Pierre Maxted Room: LJ2.06 Tel: +44 1782 7 33457
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 6
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 734921

Programme/Approved Electives for 2023/24

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

Successful completion of level 2 Physics/Astrophysics undergraduate programme

Barred Combinations

PHY-30009 Quantum Physics of Atoms and Molecules

Description for 2023/24

This module will give the students an introduction to exciting applications of quantum mechanics at the cutting-edge of modern physics such as quantum computing and quantum cryptography. The module will also look at the quantum mechanics behind powerful investigative techniques used in laboratories and in astrophysics such as Raman spectroscopy. Fundamental results related to the interpretation of quantum mechanics such as the Aspect experiment will also be discussed.

Aims
- extend the students' ability to apply the formalism of quantum mechanics gained in year 2 (PHY-20006) to predict and understand the behaviour of physical systems such as multi-electron atoms, molecules and quantum dots.
- introduce students to notation and concepts that will enable them to appreciate some of the recent results published on the interpretation and application of modern quantum physics.

Talis Aspire Reading List
Any reading lists will be provided by the start of the course.
http://lists.lib.keele.ac.uk/modules/phy-30029/lists

Intended Learning Outcomes

describe and apply standard approximation techniques used in quantum mechanics: 1,3
analyse the rotation-vibration spectrum or Raman spectrum of a diatomic molecule: 1,3
describe and explain phenomena such as quantum entanglement and quantum teleportation: 1,2,3
discuss the merits of and problems with different proposed interpretations of quantum mechanics in the light of experimental results: 1,2,3
describe applications of quantum mechanics such as quantum dots and quantum cryptography and quantum computing: 1,2,3
interpret and apply Dirac bra-ket notation: 1,2,3
calculate the results of simple physical processes involving electrons using Pauli spin matrices: 1,3
describe the main concepts and results in a recent peer-reviewed journal article the application or interpretration of quantum physics: 2

Study hours

24 hours of lectures
20 hours work on problems sheets
100 hours directed reading/private study
6 hours tutorials

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Problem Sheets weighted 15%
2 PROBLEM SHEETS
Two problem sheets.

2: Report weighted 15%
Summary at year 3 level of a recent journal article
The students will select a recent journal article related to the interpretation or application of quantum mechanics and write a summary article of up to 1000 words suitable for year 3 Keele physics students.

3: Unseen Exam weighted 70%
Unseen Exam
A 2-hour unseen exam. Students to answer 3 questions out of 5.

Please note that for the 2022/23 Academic Year programmes may be adapted to operate in accordance with a flexible, digital approach. This means that there may be some changes made to how modules are delivered and assessed. The latest information will be provided to you by your School in module handbooks. We endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes and details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/student-terms-and-conditions/

Last Updated: 13 February 2024