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Academic Year: | 2013/4 |
Owning Department/School: | Department of Physics |
Credits: | 6 |
Level: | Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7) |
Period: |
Semester 2 |
Assessment: | EX 100% |
Supplementary Assessment: |
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations) |
Requisites: | Before taking this unit you must take PH30030 |
Description: | Aims: The aim of this unit is to increase the breadth and depth of students' knowledge and understanding of quantum physics, in both fundamental aspects of quantum mechanics and modern applications of quantum theory. Learning Outcomes: After taking this unit the student should be able to: * explain in detail the salient differences between classical physics and quantum physics; * demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the realm of quantum optics and its major applications and frontline research; * give a mathematical description of the quantum principles of vector states, Hilbert space and quantum interference; * use and apply Dirac formalism to light-matter optical phenomena; * explain optical absorption and refraction using a quantum framework; * outline and critically assess the following major applications of coherent light-matter interactions; Rabi oscillations, Ramsey interference, electromagnetically induced transparency and laser cooling; * discuss the principles of quantum cryptography and computing. Skills: Numeracy T/F A, Problem Solving T/F A. Content: Relativistic quantum mechanics (10 hours): Inertia principle and invariance under Lorentz transformation; Klein-Gordon equation; Dirac equation, Dirac sea, Lamb shift; Lorentz transformation of spinors; Plane wave spinors; Non-relativistic limit of the Dirac equation: origin of the spin and spin-orbit coupling; Atomic fine structure. Landau quantisation (4 hours): Orbital quantisation in high magnetic fields; magneto-oscillatory effects, Shubnikov de Haas effect, de Haas-van Halfèn effect; Quantum Hall effect. Spin in external fields (4 hours): Spin 1/2 in a magnetic field: interferences of spin waves: 4p spin periodicity, ESR, NMR, Rabi oscillations; Spin in an electric field: Rashba coupling, spin transistor, Aharonov-Casher effect. Principles of quantum mechanics (4 hours): State vector; 'Bra's and 'Ket's; Bohr complementarity principle; EPR paradox; Quantum entanglement, Bell's inequalities; Quantum information; Density matrix. Quantum optics (10 hours): Wave-particle duality of the photon; Classical light-matter interaction; Quantum light-matter interaction; Electromagnetically induced transparency; Optomechanical effects, optical tweezers, atomic traps, Bose-Einstein condensates. |
Programme availability: |
PH40084 is Compulsory on the following programmes:Department of Physics
PH40084 is Optional on the following programmes:Programmes in Natural Sciences
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