| Prof: Jonathan
Bain |
Spring 2009
|
Office: RH
201A
|
T/Th 9:00-10:50
room to be announced
|
| Off. hr: W 1-2pm |
phone:
260-3688 |
I.
Description
Quantum mechanics is the best-confirmed theory of particle dynamics in
existence today. Not only is it the basis for all digital
technologies, it also serves as the theoretical foundation for our
best-confirmed theories of matter (quantum field theories). On
the other hand, since its inception, it has been beset with conceptual
problems. In particular, there is no current consensus on just
how to interpret it: What would the world be like, if it were
true? In this course, we will first develop the theory from a
conceptual and mathematical perspective, and then canvass a number of
proposals that have been offered as to how it should be
interpreted. A central part of the course will be devoted to
conceptual issues surrounding quantum information theory and such
current applications as quantum teleportation, quantum computing, and
quantum cryptography. This course is geared towards students with
minimal background in mathematics, physics, or philosophy; however the
topics covered will be of interest to students in the physical and
information-theoretic sciences, as well as philosophy students who may
go on to work in philosophy of physics.
II.
Required
Texts
At the bookstore:
- Albert, D. (1992) Quantum Mechanics and Experience,
Harvard.
- Hughes, R. I. G. (1989) The
Structure and Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics, Harvard.
Online readings:
- Barrett, J., The Quantum
Mechanics of Minds and Worlds, Oxford Univ. Press, pp. 221-242.
- Bub,
J., "Quantum Entanglement and Information", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
(Spring 2006 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.),
<plato.stanford.edu/archives/spr2006/entries/qt-entangle/>.
- Dickson,
M., "Modal Interpretations of Quantum Mechanics", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
(Winter 2002 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.),
<plato.stanford.edu/archives/win2002/entries/qm-modal/>.
- French,
S, "Identity and Individuality in Quantum Theory", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
(Spring 2006 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.),
<plato.stanford.edu/archives/spr2006/entries/qt-idind/>.
- Rieffel,
E. and W. Polak (2000) "An Introduction to Quantum Computing for
Non-Physicists", <lanl.arxiv.org/abs/quantu-ph/9809016>.
III.
Course Requirements
| 1. |
There will be a homework assignment given each
week.
The assignment for any given week will be due at
the
beginning of class on the same day of the following week. Late
assignments will not be accepted. Your final assignment
grade
will be calculated from the highest 10 of your 12 individual assignment
grades. |
| 2. |
You will be required to write one paper of
about 5-7
pages
(typed, 10- or 12-point, double-spaced, spell-checked!).
Suggested
topics will be provided at least 3 weeks before it is due. The
paper
should conform to the guidelines that will be handed out in class. |
| 3. |
One midterm
and one final
will be given. They will consist of exercises and short
essays.
Makeup exams will only be given in very extenuating circumstances and
only
for legitimate reasons. (Holiday scheduling is not a legitimate
reason.) |
IV.
Grade
Distribution
| Homework: 25%
total |
Paper: 15% |
| Midterm: 25% |
Final: 35% |
V.
Reminders on University Policies
| 1. |
Incompletes. It is university
and HuSS departmental policy that
incompletes can be given only in very extenuating circumstances
(medical emergencies, etc.). In particular, an incomplete cannot
be
given because of a heavy course load, job commitments, or because
you've simply fallen behind in the course. For this reason, you
should
attend every lecture and make sure you're aware of assignment deadlines
and exam dates. If for whatever reason you find yourself falling
behind during the semester, do not hesitate to see the instructor as
soon as possible. |
2.
|
University Honor System. All
students should be aware of the
university policy on cheating and plagiarism. Cheating on an
exam, or
plagiarizing on an essay assignment, are sufficient reasons for
receiving an F in the course |
VI.
Modified Class
Schedule
The following schedule
may
be subject to revision over the course of the semester. Reading
assignments
must be completed by the date on which they appear)
1
|
Tues 1/20
The 2-Slit Experiment
|
Thurs 1/22
The 2-Path Experiment
Albert Chap 1
Hughes Introduction
|
hw1 out
|
| 2 |
1/27
Vectors, Vector Spaces,
Operators
Albert Chap 2, pp. 17-30
Hughes Chap 1
|
1/29
Principles of QM
Albert Chap 2, pp. 30-47
Hughes pp. 155-164.
|
hw1 due; hw2 out |
| 3 |
2/3
Multiparticle Systems & Entangled States
Albert Chap 2, pp. 47-60
Hughes Chap 5
|
2/5
EPR & Bell: Completeness and
Locality
Albert Chap 3
Hughes Chap 6, pp. 155-164
|
hw2 due; hw3 out |
| 4 |
2/10
EPR & Bell, cont.
|
2/12
Quantum Cryptography
Rieffel
and Polak
Bub
|
hw3 due; hw4 out |
| 5 |
2/17
NO CLASS
|
2/19
|
hw4 due; hw5 out |
| 6 |
2/24
Quantum Teleportation
|
2/26
Quantum Computing
|
hw5 due; hw6 out |
| 7 |
3/3
The
Kochen-Specker Theorem
Hughes Chap 6, pp. 164-175
|
3/5
The Measurement Problem
Albert Chap 4
Hughes Chap 9
|
hw6 due; hw7 out |
8
|
3/10
MIDTERM |
3/12
GRW
Albert Chap 5
|
hw7 due; hw8 out |
9
|
3/17
NO CLASS (Spring Break)
|
3/19
NO CLASS (Spring Break) |
Hw8 due; hw9 out |
10
|
3/24
Many Worlds, Many Minds
Albert Chap 6
|
3/26
Many Worlds, cont.
|
hw9 due; hw10 out |
| 11 |
3/31
The Bare Theory
|
4/2
Many Minds.
|
hw10 due; hw 11 out |
| 12 |
4/7
Bohm
Albert Chap 7.
|
4/9
Bohm, cont.
|
hw 11 due; hw 12 out
|
| 13 |
4/14
Modal
Interpretations
Albert Appendix
Dickson
|
4/16
Quantum Logic
Hughes Chap 7
|
hw11 due; hw 12 out
|
| 14 |
4/21
Decoherence and Consistent Histories
Hughs, Chap 8, Sections 8.1, 8.3.
|
4/23
Decoherence,
Consistent Histories, cont.
Barrett.
|
hw12 due
PAPER DUE
|
15
|
4/28
Identity and Individuality
French.
|
|
|
15
|
Final
(date to be announced by registrar)
|
|
|
|