Mastering Quantum Mechanics

This course offers a sophisticated view of quantum mechanics and its proper mathematical foundation. Completing the course will give you the tools needed to do research in quantum mechanics and to understand many current developments.

The first part reviews the basics of wave mechanics and introduces the variational principle. It then moves on to develop the technology of spin one-half states and spin operators. The last part of the module gives an in-depth look into linear algebra to establish the mathematical foundation necessary to do quantum mechanics. The module concludes by developing the bra-ket notation of Dirac.

The second part covers Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle and the concept of compatible operators. It continues to develop the Heisenberg and the Schrödinger pictures of quantum mechanics. The module also covers the coherent and squeezed states of the harmonic oscillator. It concludes with two state systems and their applications to NMR and masers.

The third part introduces the concept of tensor product states to discuss entanglement and Bell inequalities. The module also covers angular momentum and the representations of angular momentum. This is used to understand the spectrum of central potentials and to introduce hidden symmetries. It concludes with the subject of addition of angular momentum and an algebraic approach to the hydrogen atom spectrum.

This course follows MIT’s on campus 8.05, the second semester of the three-course sequence on undergraduate quantum mechanics, and will be equally rigorous. 8.05 is a signature course in MIT's physics program and a keystone in the education of physics majors.

Before starting, you will need some basic familiarity with quantum mechanics. You must have seen the Schrodinger equation and studied its solutions for the square well potential, the harmonic oscillator, and the hydrogen atom. You may have learned this by self-study or by taking an introductory one-quarter or one-semester course on the subject. You must be proficient in calculus and have some knowledge of linear algebra.

Completing the course provides the necessary foundation to pursue advanced study or research at the graduate level in areas related to quantum mechanics.

To master this course you will likely need a time investment of at least 12 hours a week.