Introductory quantum mechanics ii

Lectures: 2 sessions / week, 1.5 hours / session

This class will be covered in twelve, 1.5 hour lectures. We will cover topics in time-dependent quantum mechanics, spectroscopy, and relaxation, with an emphasis on descriptions applicable to condensed phase problems and a statistical description of ensembles. There will also be an extra 4 lectures focusing on nonlinear spectroscopy.

There will be 4 problem sets worth a total of 75% of the grade, which can and should be worked on together. A take-home exam will account for the remaining 25% of the grade. It will be distributed during the last lecture, and should not be discussed with your classmates.

The problem sets in this class will include numerical problems that require you to solve one-dimensional Schrödinger equations, integrate coupled differential equations, and other problems involving the manipulation of matrices and vectors. For this, the most convenient approach is using some type of mathematical or engineering calculation software. If you have little experience with this, I recommend Mathcad(R) 14, because I will distribute Mathcad worksheets with sample routines on this Web site.

Nitzan, Abraham. Chemical Dynamics in Condensed Phases. New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2006. ISBN: 9780198529798.
This is a wonderful new book that thoroughly covers all topics that you might care to learn about for time-dependent quantum mechanics relevant to the condensed phase. We will follow the treatment of several topics in this book.

Schatz, George C., and Mark A. Ratner. Quantum Mechanics in Chemistry. Mineola, NY: Dover Publications, 2002. ISBN: 9780486420035.
This is an important book to have. It has the most overlap with the topics we will cover, uses a similar language and notation, and treats the problems at a similar level.

Classical description of spectroscopy

Interaction of light and matter

Absorption cross-section

Nonlinear spectroscopy
problems due

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