Advanced Quantum Mechanics

Paper Code: 
PHY 323
Credits: 
4
Contact Hours: 
60.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

This paper enables students to apply quantum theory to various types of applications and research.

Unit I: 

Scattering (non-relativistic): Differential and total scattering cross section, transformation from CM frame to Lab frame, solution of scattering problem by the method of partial wave analysis, expansion of a plane wave into a spherical wave and scattering amplitude, the optical theorem, Applications: scattering from a delta potential, square well potential and the hard sphere scattering of identical particles, energy dependence and resonance scattering, Breit-Wigner formula, quasi stationary states, Lippman-Schwinger equation and the Green's functions approach for scattering problem, Born approximation and its validity for scattering problem, Coulomb scattering problem under first Born approximation in elastic scattering

Unit II: 

Relativistic Formulation and Dirac Equation: Attempt for relativistic formulation of quantum theory, The Klein-Gordon equation, Probability density and probability current density, solution of free particle KG equation in momentum representation, interpretation of negative probability density and negative energy solutions.

Unit III: 

Dirac equation for a free particle: Properties of Dirac matrices and algebra of gamma matrices, non-relativistic correspondence of the Pauli equation (inclusive of electromagnetic interaction), Solution of free particle Dirac equation, orthogonality and completeness, relations for Dirac spinors, interpretation of negative energy solution

Unit IV: 

Symmetries of Dirac Equation : Lorentz covariance of Dirac equation, proof of covariance and derivation of Lorentz boost and rotation matrices for Dirac spinors, Projection operators involving four momentum and spin, Parity (P), charge conjugation (C), time reversal (T) and CPT operators for Dirac spinors, Billinear covariants, and their transformations, behaviour under Lorentz transformation, P,C,T and CPT, expectation values of coordinate and velocity involving only positive energy solutions and the associated problems, inclusion of negative energy solution, Zitter bewegung, Klein paradox.

Unit V: 

Quantum Theory of Radiation : Classical radiation field, transversality condition, Fourier decomposition and radiation oscillators, Quantization of radiation oscillator, creation, annihilation and number operators, photon states, photon as a quantum mechanical excitations of the radiation field, fluctuations and the uncertainty relation, validity of the classical description, matrix element for emission and absorption, spontaneous emission in the dipole approximation, Rayleigh scattering. Thomson scattering and the Raman effect, Radiation damping and Resonance fluorescence.

References: 
  1. Ashok Das and A.C. Milissiones : Quantum mechanics - A Modern Approach (Garden and Breach Science Publishers).
  2. E. merzbaker : Quantum Mechanics, Second Edition (John Wiley and Sons).
  3. Bjorken and Drell : Relativistic Quantum Mechanics (McGraw Hill).
  4. J.J. Sakurai : Advanced Quantum Mechanics (John Wiley)

 

Academic Year: