Learning objectives
The course aims to provide the basic tools of quantum mechanics, used to understand the most significant aspects of the Physics of Matter. Thanks to the knowledge acquired, the student will be able to describe the electrical, thermal and electromagnetic properties of materials, as well as their origin.
In addition to the methodological tools, the student will acquire the basic language of Matter Physics, enabling them to be able to read and understand advanced texts.
The acquisition of specific technical language will allow the student to communicate with specialists in the subject and to translate complex concepts into a language understandable to non-specialists.
The student will be able to work in a group to produce papers, also in multimedia form, which delve into some topics of the Structure of Matter. The student will be able to illustrate and discuss the paper produced with the peers and the teacher.
Prerequisites
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Course unit content
Crisis of Classical Physics and introduction to Quantum Physics
Review on waves
The duality of matter
Fundamentals of linear algebra for Quantum Physics
Vectors, vectorial spaces and states
Matrix and operators
Uncertainty principle
Schrödinger and Dirac representations
Free particle in 1D and 3D
Wave packet
Particle in a box
Harmonic oscillator
Polar coordinates
Hydrogen atom
Angular momenta
Classical gases
Fermion/Boson gases
The origins of the properties of the properties of solids, in particulars of crystals
Full programme
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Bibliography
For each lesson, slides and powerpoint material will be made available on the Elly Platform. In each of these, a slide will indicate the relevant chapters / paragraph in textbooks, e.g. from:
Atkins, Friedman – Molecular Quantum Mechanics
The Principles of Quantum Mechanics, P. A. M. Dirac 1958, Oxford University Press
Six Easy Pieces, R. P. Feynman 1963, Caltech
Cohen-Tannoudji, Diu, Laloë – Quantum Mechanics
Franchetti, Rangagni, Mugnai – Elementi di Struttura della Materia
Fieschi, De Renzi – Struttura della Materia
Bassani, Grassano – Fisica dello Stato Solido
Eisberg, Resnick - Quantum Physics: Of Atoms, Molecules, Solids, Nuclei, and Particles
Teaching methods
Frontal lesson, supported by slides and other teaching material
During the course, students will be asked to elaborate in groups on a selection of arguments; they will produce a short presentation on the assigned topic and discuss it in class with the teacher and the other students, following the “flipped classroom” approach.
This will be the basis for an intermediate verification of learning.
Assessment methods and criteria
An oral examination is used to verify learning.
The evaluation process considers the elaborates produced by the student during the group assignments, and their presentation to the class.
The final vote is produced basing on the arithmetic average of the votes obtained in the oral examinations of each module.
Other information
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2030 agenda goals for sustainable development
