Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

The great technological advances of the late 20th and early 21st centuries are underpinned by quantum and condensed matter physics. Both are essential and fundamental topics that complete any Physics degree irrespective of any bias towards the theoretical or experimental aspects. This unit builds on prior Physics topics and provides the essential platform from which you can specialise.

Aims

To provide you with an understanding of quantum theory, from its historical development through to its realisation in terms of modern wave mechanics, and its application to spectroscopy and electronic properties of condensed matter.

Objectives

1. Understand the core concepts and postulates of modern quantum theory and its historical development.
2. Apply modern quantum theory to explain behaviour of quantum particles in simple quantum systems.
3. Understand the quantum theory of atoms and its link to energy level structures and spectroscopic observations.
4. Understand the differences between different types of solids (metals, dielectrics and semiconductors).
5. Apply mathematical approaches in quantum mechanics to describe the electronic and thermal properties of metals, dielectrics and semiconductors.

Content

Quantum Mechanics:

Electron waves, wave diffraction, uncertainty principle.
Wave functions and probabilistic nature of quantum mechanics.
Measurements in quantum mechanics, expectation values.
Operators and commutators
Schroedinger equation: Time dependent and Time Independent
Bra and ket notation of quantum states
Infinite potential well in one dimension.
Transmission through a potential barrier, tunnelling effect.
Stationary perturbation theory: First Order
Solution of the Schrodinger equation for one dimensional harmonic oscillator.
Hydrogen atom: the Bohr and Schroedinger theories.
Concept of spin of quantum particles.
Indistinguishability of elementary particles, Pauli exclusion principle.


Condensed Matter Physics:

Fermi energy, Fermi-Dirac distribution, density of states.
Electrical and thermal conduction of metals.
Reduced zone scheme, Brillouin zone, electron energy near a zone boundary.
Electron in a periodic potential, Bloch functions.
Band structure of solids, Kroning-Penney model, energy gap.
Metals and insulators.
Structure of Fermi surface.
Semiconductors.
Intrinsic carrier and intrinsic mobility, impurities, Hall effect.
Semiconductor devices.
Superconductivity, critical temperature, energy gap, coherence length.
High-Tc superconductors, applications of superconductivity.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

The unit will include 52 hours of formal lectures and tutorials. You will also be strongly encouraged to do additional work in solving sets of problems, working with reference texts and other resource materials that will be provided in lectures and online. A strong emphasis of the tutorials will be on the development of problem-solving skills and the ability to confidently use mathematical methods of quantum mechanics and apply them in actual situations. You will be required to undertake private study to supplement and support the integrated lecture-tutorial program.

Assessment

General Assessment Information

This unit will be assessed through regular tutorial exercises, a mid-semester problem solving task and an end of semester final examination.Feedback to students

All assessed tutorials will returned to students as soon as is practically possible and solutions to the tutorial exercises will be provided. Solutions to the mid-semester examination will be presented in class as soon as is practically possible.

Assessment name: Problem Solving Task
Description: (Formative and summative) - Regular tutorial question sets.
Relates to objectives: 2, 3, 4 and 6.
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Approx every 2 weeks

Assessment name: Problem Solving Task
Description: (Formative and summative) - A supervised problem solving exercise performed independently in a specified time frame using specific resources.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2 and 3.
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Mid Semester

Assessment name: Examination (Theory)
Description: (Summative) - End of semester examination.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.
Weight: 60%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Exam Period

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

Quantum Mechanics:

1. Eisberg R & Resnick R (1985) Quantum Physics of Atoms, Molecules, Solids, Nuclei and Particles, John Wiley

2. Griffiths D (2005) Introduction to Quantum Mechanics, Pearson Prentice Hall

3. Landau LD & Lifshitz EM (1965) Quantum Mechanics: Non-Relativistic Theory, Pergamon Press

4. Cohen-Tannoudji C, Diu B & Laloe F (1977) Quantum Mechanics, John Wiley

5. Merzbacher E (2000) Quantum Mechanics, John Wiley

Condensed Matter Physics:

1. Kittel C (1996) Introduction to Solid State Physics, John Wiley (or earlier editions)

2. Ali Omar M (1993) Elementary Solid State Physics, Addison Wesley Longman

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Risk assessment statement

Students in this unit will undertake lectures and tutorials in classrooms and lecture theatres. There are no extraordinary workplace health and safety issues associated with these components of the unit.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 19-Oct-2012