Purpose and Content of the Course (
PDF)
Part I: Quantum Theory of Radiation Interactions
Part II: Topics in Interaction of Electromagnetic Radiation with Matter
Part III: Introductory Theory of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance
Part IV: Principles of Applications of X-ray and Neutron Scattering
Chen, S. H., and M. Kotlarchyk. Interaction of Photons and Neutrons with Matter. World Scientific, 1997.
Classical Mechanics:
Goldstein.
Classical Mechanics. Addison-Wesley, 1953.
Electromagnetic Theory:
Jackson. Classical Electrodynamics. Wiley, 1957.
Quantum Mechanics:
Merzbacher. Quantum Mechanics. Wiley, 1961.
Radiation Interactions:
Louisell. Quantum Statistical Properties of Radiation. Wiley, 1973.
Heitler. Quantum Theory of Radiation. Oxford: Dover, 1956.
Statistical Mechanics:
Kittel. Elementary Statistical Physics. Wiley, 1953.
Two quizzes and a term paper: 20% each
Homework: 40% (six sets)
An Overview of Classical Mechanics (2 Days)
The Lagrangian Formulation
The Hamiltonian Formulation
Variations on the Pendulum
Coupled Oscillations
Poisson Brackets
The Transition to Quantum Mechanics (6 Days)
Basic Dirac Formulation
The State Vector: Kets, Bras, and Inner Products
Operators
Matrix Representations
The Quantum Postulates
Observables, Operators, and Measurement
Probabilities and Expectation Values
Classical Correspondence and the Role of Commutators
Transformation to the Schrödinger Picture
Representations in Position Space
Momentum Space
Angular Momentum and Quantum Mechanics in Three Dimensions
Angular Momentum Operators and Commutator Relations
Quantization of Angular Momentum
Orbital Angular Momentum Eigenfunctions
Stationary States for Particle in a Central Potential
Classical Treatment or Electromagnetic Fields and Radiation (3 Days)
Electromagnetic Field Equations and Conservation Laws
Conservation of Charge
Conservation of Energy
Conservation of Momentum
Electromagnetic Potentials
The Coulomb Gauge
The Lorentz Gauge
Field Due to a Changing Polarization
Light Scattering from Dielectric Particles
Quantum Properties of the Field (1 Day)
Canonical Formulation of a Pure Radiation Field
Quantization of a Pure Radiation Field
Coherent States of the Radiation Field
Time-Dependent Perturbation Theory, Transition Probabilities, and Scattering (2 Days)
The Interaction Picture in Quantum Mechanics
Perturbation Expansion of the Time-Evolution Operator
Fermi's Golden Rule
First-Order Transitions
Extension to Scattering Problems
Double-Differential Scattering Cross-Sections
The Density Operator and Its Role in Quantum Statistics (1 Day)
Mixed States and the Density Operator
Entropy and Information Content-Determining the Density Operator of a System
Perturbation Expansion of the Density Operator
First-Order Radiation Processes (2 Days)
Emission and Absorption of Photons by Atoms and Molecules
Emission
Absorption
The Photoelectric Effect
Second-Order Processes and the Scattering of Photons (2 Days)
Scattering of Electromagnetic Radiation by a Free Electron
Classical Theory
Quantum Theory
Scattering of Photons by Atoms
X-ray Scattering
Principles of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (3 Days)
Energy of a Nuclear Spin in an Applied Magnetic Field
Quantum Mechanical Description of Motion of a Nuclear Spin in a Static Magnetic Field
Nuclear Spins in Thermal Equilibrium Under a Static Magnetic Field
Effect of Alternating Transverse Magnetic Field on Spin Dynamics
The Bloch Equations - T1 and T2 Relaxations
The Principle of Spin Echo
Dynamic Structure Factors (2 Days)
Dynamic Structure Factors for Simple Fluid Systems
The Self Dynamic Structure Factor
The Full Dynamic Structure Factor
Inelastic Neutron Scattering from a Harmonic Oscillator
General Properties of the Dynamic Structure Factor