Statistical & quantum physics

lmapr1491  2017-2018  Louvain-la-Neuve

Statistical & quantum physics
5 credits
30.0 h + 30.0 h
Q1
Teacher(s)
Charlier Jean-Christophe; Gonze Xavier coordinator; Lherbier Aurélien (compensates Charlier Jean-Christophe); Piraux Luc; Rignanese Gian-Marco;
Language
French
Main themes
Quantum physics : non-relativistic quantum mechanics postulates ; measure theory ; hydrogen atom ; polyelectronic atoms ; harmonic oscillator ; spin ; variational principle (Ritz) ; formation of the chemical bonds.
Statistical physics : basic notions, the kinetic theory of gases, the different statistical ensembles (microcanonical, canonical and grand-canonical), and quantum fluids (fermions and bosons)
Aims

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :

1

Contribution of the course to the program objectives

Axis Nº1 :1.1

Specific learning outcomes of the course

At the end of their classes, the students are expected to be able:

  1. To explain the postulated and basic equations of the non-relativistic QM including the measure theory.
  2. To apply MQ to the treatment of different simple systems.
  3. To compute the mean values of simple observables for wavefunctions with one electron, their fluctuations, to check Heisenberg uncertainty relationship, and to build the matrix representation of an operator.
  4. To build a molecular orbital diagram for a simple specific molecule, and to deduce from it the physical characteristics (bond order, total spin).
  5. To explain the basic principles of statistical physics.
  6. To compute the thermodynamical properties of a perfect gas, and to use Maxwell-Boltzmann statistics.
  7. To work with the different statistical formalisms : microcanonical (e.g. study lattice specific heat - Einstein model), canonical (e.g. Debye model), and  grand-canonical (e.g. to derive Fermi-Dirac and Bose-Einstein statistics)
  8. To predict the temperature-dependent behaviour of systems (specfic heat, internal energy, mean number of particules, superfuildity, superconductivity) thanks to statistical ensembles. 
 

The contribution of this Teaching Unit to the development and command of the skills and learning outcomes of the programme(s) can be accessed at the end of this sheet, in the section entitled “Programmes/courses offering this Teaching Unit”.
Content
1 Quantum physics
1.1. Introduction/Reminders
1.2. Postulates
1.3. Operators
1.4. Measure theory (including Heisenberg uncertainty principle)
1.5. Hydrogen atom
1.6. Polyelectronic atoms
1.7. Matrix mechanics
1.8. Harmonic oscillator (creation and annihilation operators)
1.9. Spin
1.10. Variational principle
1.11. Tight-binding method (understanding of the electronic structure and cohesion of diatomic molecules)
2 Statistical Physics
2.1. Introduction: Elements of Statistical Physics
2.2. Kinetic Theory of Gases and , and billiard game theory
2.3. Microcanonical Ensemble
2.4. Canonical Ensemble
2.5. Grand-Canonical Ensemble
2.6. Quantum Fluids
Teaching methods
Ex cathedra lectures and exercices sessions.
Evaluation methods
The students are evaluated individually, in a written examination, on the basis of the above-mentioned learning outcomes (questions will focus on their knowledge, their understanding, their ability to apply the concepts explained during the lecture, the latter being developed during the exercise sessions). Concerning quantum fluids, a tasting session is organized.
Bibliography
Sur icampus, sont disponibles : les transparents/syllabus de support.
Des livres de support sont disponibles à la BST
Faculty or entity
FYKI


Programmes / formations proposant cette unité d'enseignement (UE)

Title of the programme
Sigle
Credits
Prerequisites
Aims
Minor in Engineering Sciences : Applied Chemistry and Physics