Course Overview
This course is centered around the quantum mechanical two state system. This course is the first of the quantum paradigms and introduces students to quantum mechanics by leading off with the postulates of quantum mechanics. A central theme of this course is having students perform some simulated experiments with Stern-Gerlach devices and interpret their results. Students learn about quantum measurement, Dirac Notation, vector spaces, quantum mechanical operators, commuting observables, incompatible observables, the uncertainty principle, and time-evolution of quantum states. Spin 1 systems are also introduced as a second context for exploring and interpreting Stern-Gerlach experiments. The course ends with introductions to special topics like Rabi oscillations, neutrino oscillations, magnetic resonance, the EPR paradox, and quantum computing. (more...)
Textbook and Instructor's Guide
Paradigms in Physics: Quantum Mechanics—-a textbook that follows the paradigms approach. The chapters that are relevant to the Spins course are:
