Quantum Mechanics

Starting from a small set of axioms this course provides a systematic introduction to basic quantum mechanics. The presentation makes extensive use of concepts from linear algebra. A number of simple model systems are used to illustrate how problems may be described by quantum mechanics and also to exemplify quantum mechanical (i.e. non-classical) phenomena. An exposition of the quantum mechanical theory of angular momentum is given up to and including coupling of two momenta. The students learn mathematical methods for obtaining approximate descriptions of quantum mechanical systems. Many molecules show some degree of symmetry, and the students learn how to exploit this when solving quantum mechanical problems.

After completing the course KJEM221 the student will be able to:

• identify and describe fundamental concepts in the quantum mechanical theory and apply these to analyze idealized processes of measurement.
• develop quantum mechanical models for simple systems and use these to exemplify characteristic features in quantum mechanical systems.
• describe electronic and spectroscopic systems by means of the quantum mechanical theory of angular momentum.
• use mathematical techniques to construct approximate quantum mechanical models.
• Analyze molecular symmetry and exploit this when determining orbitals.