Students

PHYS3140 – Advanced Quantum Mechanics and Quantum Optics

2024 – 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
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.

General Assessment Information

Requirements to Pass this Unit

To pass this unit you must achieve a total mark equal to or greater than 50%

Hurdle Assessments

There are no hurdle assessments in this unit

Late Assessment Submission Penalty

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 as- sessments/presentations, and/or scheduled practical assessments/labs, students need to submit an application for Special Consideration.

Assessments where Late Submissions will be accepted.

  • Assignments – YES, Standard Late Penalty applies
  • Mid-semester test – NO, unless Special Consideration is granted
  • Examination – NO, unless Special Consideration is granted

Special Consideration

The Special Consideration Policy aims to support students who have been impacted by short-term circumstances or events that are serious, unavoidable and significantly disruptive, and which may affect their performance in assessment. If you experience circumstances or events that affect your ability to complete the written assessments in this unit on time, please inform the convenor and submit a Special Consideration request through ask.mq.edu.au.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Assignments 25% No Regularly during semester
Midsession exam 25% No In Week 8
Final exam 50% No Examination period

Assignments

Assessment Type 1: Problem set
Indicative Time on Task 2: 36 hours
Due: Regularly during semester
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: In Week 8
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: 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

Classes

Lectures and SGTA beginning Week 1: There are 3 lecture hours and 1 SGTA a week.

The timetable for classes can be found on the University website at: www.timetables.mq.edu.au

Lecture material

Lecture notes available, Solved problem sets available. 

Communication

We will communicate with you via your university email or through announcements on iLearn. Queries to convenors can either be placed on the iLearn discussion board or sent to your lecturers from your university email address.

COVID Information

For the latest information on the University’s response to COVID-19, please refer to the Coron- avirus infection page on the Macquarie website: https://www.mq.edu.au/about/coronavirus-faqs. Remember to check this page regularly in case the information and requirements change during semester. If there are any changes to this unit in relation to COVID, these will be communicated via iLearn.

Unit Schedule

A weekly topic schedule will be available on iLearn.

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 connect.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 the Service Connect Portal, 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.

Changes from Previous Offering

We value student feedback to be able to continually improve the way we offer our units. As such we encourage students to provide constructive feedback via stu- dent surveys, to the teaching staff directly, or via the FSE Student Experience & Feedback link in the iLearn page.

Student feedback from the previous offering of this unit was very positive overall, with students pleased with the clarity around assessment requirements and the level of support from teaching staff. As such, no change to the delivery of the unit is planned, however we will continue to strive to improve the level of support and the level of student engagement.

Unit information based on version 2024.01R of the Handbook