Unit information: Advanced Quantum Physics in 2022/23

Unit name	Advanced Quantum Physics
Unit code	PHYSM3416
Credit points	10
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 1A (weeks 1 - 6)
Unit director	Dr. Gradhand
Open unit status	Not open
Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units)	PHYS30021 and PHYS32011 or equivalent.
Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units)	None
Units you may not take alongside this one	None
School/department	School of Physics
Faculty	Faculty of Science

Unit Information

The course examines advanced topics in Quantum Physics which have a central role in modern theoretical physics. These include advanced concepts of wave packet propagation and spreading, including Feynman’s path integral formulation, elementary ideas of scattering theory, and the semi classical WKB method and its implications. The concepts of adiabatic evolutions are developed further to introduce gauge invariance, coupling to magnetic fields, including implications for Landau levels, quantum Hall and Josephson effects, the Aharonov Bohm effect and a brief discussion of Berry's geometric phase. The theory of quantum spin is extended with advanced methods for representing spins (eg Bloch sphere) and a complete discussion of addition of angular momenta using Clebsch Gordan algebra, with physical applications including as LS coupling and Zeeman splitting.

Your learning on this unit

Students will be able to:

• solve wave packet scattering and propagation problems in one dimensional problems.
• reproduce simple proofs given in lectures, and explain quantum mechanical concepts such as diffraction using Feynman's path integral picture.
• to use the WKB method in practical one-dimensional potential problems, such as tunnelling through a barrier.
• solve problems involving magnetic fields, including Landau levels
• explain the significance of the Aharonov Bohm effect and Berry phase and some of their physical consequences.
• represent arbitrary spin states on the Bloch sphere and to compute states of added angular momenta for cases such as LS coupling in multi-electron atoms.

How you will learn

The unit will be taught through a combination of

• asynchronous online materials, including narrated presentations and worked examples
• synchronous group problems classes, workshops, tutorials and/or office hours
• asynchronous directed individual formative exercises and other exercises
• guided, structured reading

How you will be assessed

Summative assessment

Written, timed examination (80%)

Coursework (20%)

Resources

If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.

If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. PHYSM3416).

How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks, independent learning and assessment activity.

See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.

Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit. The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.