Students

PHYS3140 – Advanced Quantum Mechanics and Quantum Optics

2022 – Session 2, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Alexei Gilchrist
alexei.gilchrist@mq.edu.au
Thomas Volz
thomas.volz@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
PHYS303 or PHYS3130 or PHYS2030
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

Quantum mechanics is perhaps the most fundamental of all theories of modern physics. While its consequences are most readily seen in the microscopic world of elementary particles, atoms and molecules; quantum mechanics provides a set of rules that apply to all physical phenomena: the universe as a whole is governed by its laws. This unit looks at quantum mechanics in greater depth than PHYS3130/PHYS2030 and from a more foundational perspective. After introducing the postulates of quantum theory, we consider the basic mathematical structures including Hilbert Space, the Dirac notation, linear operators, spectral theory and measurements. Tools for the description of multiple systems and statistical combinations of systems are introduced allowing the exploration of entanglement - arguably the most dramatic departure from classical physics. In the second half of the unit Quantum Optics is introduced, which has widespread applications and has played a central role in testing quantum mechanics and exploring its meaning. In this section we cover quantization of the optical field, introduce coherent states and describe the physics behind the quantum interaction of light and atoms.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: describe and apply the Hilbert space formalism of quantum mechanics.
  • ULO2: model the combination and removal of physical systems.
  • ULO3: use density operators to describe the statistical properties of quantum mechanics.
  • ULO4: explain how measurements are described and used in quantum mechanics.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Assignments 25% No Throughout the semester, due date indicated on Assignment
Midsession exam 25% No Week 7
Final exam 50% No Seemester examination period

Assignments

Assessment Type 1: Problem set
Indicative Time on Task 2: 36 hours
Due: Throughout the semester, due date indicated on Assignment
Weighting: 25%

 

Weekly problem-solving assignments

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • describe and apply the Hilbert space formalism of quantum mechanics.
  • model the combination and removal of physical systems.
  • use density operators to describe the statistical properties of quantum mechanics.
  • explain how measurements are described and used in quantum mechanics.

Midsession exam

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: Week 7
Weighting: 25%

 

Exam on the content from the first half of the unit.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • describe and apply the Hilbert space formalism of quantum mechanics.
  • model the combination and removal of physical systems.
  • use density operators to describe the statistical properties of quantum mechanics.
  • explain how measurements are described and used in quantum mechanics.

Final exam

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Seemester examination period
Weighting: 50%

 

Exam in the University Examination period.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • describe and apply the Hilbert space formalism of quantum mechanics.
  • model the combination and removal of physical systems.
  • use density operators to describe the statistical properties of quantum mechanics.
  • explain how measurements are described and used in quantum mechanics.

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

Delivery will be through Lectures and tutorials. Lecture notes are available online together with solved problems and recorded lectures.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

The Writing Centre

The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/. 

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

General Assessment Information

Late Assessment Submission Penalty 

From 1 July 2022, Students enrolled in Session based units with written assessments will have the following university standard late penalty applied. Please see https://students.mq.edu.au/study/assessment-exams/assessments for more information. 

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a grade of '0' will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11:55 pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical concern. 

For any late submission of time-sensitive tasks, such as scheduled tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, and/or scheduled practical assessments/labs, students need to submit an application for Special Consideration.  

Assessments where Late Submissions will be accepted 

In this unit, late submissions will accepted as follows: 

  • Assignments - YES, Standard Late Penalty applies 
  • Midsession exam - NO, unless Special Consideration is Granted 
  • Final exam - NO, Midsession exam - NO, unless Special Consideration is Granted 

Unit information based on version 2022.02 of the Handbook