Physics 215B (Winter 2020)

Physics 215B, Graduate Quantum Mechanics, Winter 2020

Prof. Matthew Fisher 

email: mpaf@kitp.ucsb.edu ;
Office: 2305 Kohn Hall
Lectures: Monday, Wednesday 11:00-12:15 pm, Arts 1353
Office Hours: Wednesday, 2-3pm

Find the course web site thru my personal web site: https://www.kitp.ucsb.edu/mpaf

Grader/TA: Yaodong Li

email: lyd@physics.ucsb.edu
Office: 6234 Broida Hall
Office Hours: Tuesday 2-3pm 

Textbooks: The "official" textbook for 215B is Sakurai/Napolitano (2nd edition).  There are many good QM books - including Shankar, Gottfried/Yan, Landau-Lifshitz, among others.  However, I am hoping to include some more modern topics (e.g. Quantum Ising model and Majorana Fermions) which are not in these books.  I will try to suggest other reading/books when relevant.

Homework:  Roughly 5-6 homeworks throughout the quarter, available on the course web site.  Homework solutions also posted online.  You are encouraged to work together on the homeworks.

Exams:  None.  Unless requested!

Help/feedback:  In addition to my office hours and Yaodong's office hours, I would be happy to schedule a mutually convenient time to chat about homework or other topics (best arranged by e-mail).  I would greatly appreciate feedback on any aspect of the course, anytime throughout the quarter.  

 

 

 

SYLLABUS for 215B 

Path Integral Formulation of Quantum Mechanics:

  • Real time and Euclidian path integrals
  • Instantons and tunneling
  • Path integrals for identical particles

Quantum Computing: 

  • Quantum Information, Complexity and Parallelism
  • Quantum Algorithms - Deutsch algorithm, Grover Algorithm
  • Quantum Error Correction

(Symmetry in Quantum Mechanics)

  • Continous symmetries;  Spatial translations, rotations and angular momentum (briefly)  
  • Discrete symmetries; Parity, lattice translations, time-reversal 

Approximation methods:

  • Time Independent Perturbation Theory 
  • Time dependent perturbation theory
  • (Berry's phase and adiabatic evolution)

(Scattering Theory)

  • Landauer Transport theory for electrical conduction
  • Elastic and Inelastic scattering (dynamical structure factor)

Lattice Quantum Field Theory: 

  • Quantum Transverse Field Ising model 
  • 1d Quantum Ising Model and Majorana Fermions