17984 - General Physics L-D

Learning outcomes

The goal is the achievement of a wider knowledge of physics, including the basic elements of quantum physics.

The student should become familiar with the basic concepts of quantum mechanics and  understand its application to the study of  matter structure and of phenomena and processes of interest for modern technology.

Course contents

1. From classical physics to quantum physics: blackbody radiation and Planck assumptions; photoeletric effect and photons; atomic spectra and Bohr model.
2. Particle-wave duality and its statistical interpretation. De Broglie waves and electron diffraction. From a discussion of a two slits experiment with electrons to the basic principles of quantum mechanics: wave function and probability amplitudes, the superposition of states, measurements and the wave function collapse. The uncertainty principle.
3. Elements of quantum theory.  State description . Physical quantities and hermitian operators. Expectation values. Eigenstates and eigenvalues. Compatible observables. Heisenberg relations. The hamiltonian operator. Evolution with time of a state: the Schrodinger equation. Ehrefenst theorem. Stationary states
4. Time independent Schrodinger equation for one dimensional systems. Classical confinement and energy quantization. The potential well. The harmonic oscillator. Potential barriers and and wave properties: the tunneling effect in nature and technology.
5. Elements of quantum atomic physics. Stationary states of one-electron atom: quantization of angular momentum and energy ; the quantum numbers of atomic states. Stern-Gerlach experiments and spin. The quantum description of a system of identical particles. Pauli principle for electrons and the electronic structure of multi-electron atoms.
6. Quantum statistical physics The Fermi Dirac distribution for semi-integer spin particles; the Bose-Einstein sistribution for integer spin particles.
7. Electrons in solids. Particles in a periodic potentail. Bands of levels and electrical conductivity in metals and in semiconductors.
8. Radiation emission and absorption. Elements of perturbation theory. The induced and spontaneous emission, Einstein coefficients. The physical principles of Lasers.

Readings/Bibliography

as described in the web page

http://ishtar.df.unibo.it/Uni/bo/ingegneria/all/uguzzoni/stuff/homepage.html

Assessment methods

oral examination

Links to further information

http://ishtar.df.unibo.it/Uni/bo/ingegneria/all/uguzzoni/stuff/homepage.html

Office hours

See the website of Arnaldo Uguzzoni