University of Colorado Boulder

Approximation Methods

This course is part of Quantum Mechanics for Engineers Specialization

Taught in English

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Wounjhang Park

Instructor: Wounjhang Park

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Course

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

14 hours (approximately)
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Progress towards a degree

What you'll learn

  • Distinguish non-degenerate and degenerate cases and use appropriate methods.

  • Perform calculations using the time-independent perturbation theory.

  • Describe absorption and stimulated emission processes.

  • Obtain approximate solutions using the variational method.

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Assessments

3 quizzes

Course

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

14 hours (approximately)
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
Progress towards a degree

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This course is part of the Quantum Mechanics for Engineers Specialization
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There are 3 modules in this course

In this module we will introduce the course on approximation methods commonly used in quantum mechanics and then discuss time-independent perturbation theory. We will first discuss non-degenerate perturbation theory and derive useful formulas for the first- and second-order corrections. We will then discuss degenerate perturbation theory. We will also discuss specific examples where the various perturbation methods are used - Stark effect, fine structure and Zeeman effect.

What's included

8 videos4 readings1 quiz2 discussion prompts

In this module, we will introduce interaction picture and derive time evolution equations. After discussing a simple but illuminating example of two-state system, we develop time-dependent perturbation theory and discuss the probability of transitions between quantum states induced by external perturbation.

What's included

5 videos3 readings1 quiz1 peer review

This module covers several non-perturbative approximation methods. They are the tight binding method, variational method and the use of finite basis set.

What's included

3 videos3 readings1 quiz1 discussion prompt

Instructor

Wounjhang Park
University of Colorado Boulder
6 Courses47,344 learners

Offered by

Recommended if you're interested in Electrical Engineering

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