Level of study
BAC +3
ECTS
4 credits
Component
Faculty of Science
Hourly volume
36h
Description
This course is a simplified introduction to quantum physics.
We will start with a historical overview of the beginnings of quantum mechanics: atomic emission line spectrum, black body radiation (we will see the logic of this name), photo-electric effect, ...
A simplified presentation of the Fourier transforms will allow us to understand the link between spectral line width and temporal evolution at first,
and further on to understand the Heisenberg inequalities.
An important part of the course will be devoted to matter waves, through the Schrödinger equation, in very simple particular cases.
Finally, we will finish with some aspects of magnetism (necessarily quantum).
Objectives
- To give a culture of modern physics: Photons, matter waves, coherence, magnetism, atoms, etc...
- Introduce and use the Fourier transform through the optical spectrum and EM waves on the one hand, through matter waves and wave packets on the other hand
- To give basic calculations for modern physics problems.
Necessary pre-requisites
Classical mechanics
Wave physics
Complex, differential and integral calculus,
2nd order ordinary differential equations with constant coefficients
Knowledge control
100% CT
Syllabus
- The photon, first of the quanta :
- Planck's law (black body radiation),
- Line spectra
- Photoelectric effect
- Fourier transform, wave packets
- Waves of matter
- Schrödinger equation (1D)
- potential steps (reflection, transmission)
- potential barriers (tunnel effect)
- potential well (containment)
- Heisenberg's inequalities
- Magnetism (spin)
Bibliography
CM : 18 h
TD : 18 h