*************************************************************************************************** * Quantum Theory * *************************************************************************************************** Lecturer: Dr. P.J.H. Denteneer Description: Formal and advanced treatment of quantum mechanics allowing for a description of complex quantum phenomena. The QTa course presents the basic repertoire. Topics are: operators on (finite- and infinite-dimensional) Hilbert spaces, representations, quantum dynamics (Schrodinger, Heisenberg and interaction pictures), symmetries in quantum physics, quantization of the electromagnetic field, and the Feynman path integral. The QTa+b course adds the more advanced topic: many-body formalism for identical particles (Second Quantization). The full QTa+b course is recommended if courses "Theory of Condensed Matter", "Effective Field Theory" and "Quantum Field Theory" in the Spring semester are planned to be taken Format: Lectures, problem sessions, home work Prerequisites: Quantum Mechanics, Bachelor of Physics Literature: "Quantum Physics" by M. LeBellac (Cambridge UP, 2006) is the guide of the course and strongly recommended to buy. Lecture notes for part of the course will be provided. Other useful additional textbooks for the course: "Modern Quantum Mechanics"- J.J. Sakurai (Addison-Wesley, revised edition, 1993) "A Modern Approach to Quantum Mechanics" - J.S. Townsend (McGraw-Hill, 2nd edition 2012) "Quantum Mechanics" - E. Merzbacher (Wiley, 1970) For motivation and inspiration for this course also the popular book (no formulas) by Richard P. Feynman titled "QED - The strange theory of light and matter" (Princeton University Press, 1985) is recommended. Credits: QTa: 6 EC; QTa+b: 9 EC Schedule: Fall 2013, weeks 36-49. Examination: Written exam on Friday January 17, 2014. **************************************************************************************************