Teacher(s)
Language
French
Prerequisites
It is recommended that students master the notions of differential and integral calculus of functions of one and more variables as developed in the LMAT1121 course and the notions of linear algebra as developed in the LMAT1131 course.
Main themes
The purpose of this teachingunit is to familiarize the student with the mathematical tools and methods ofquantum physics. The covered topics are elements of theory of the classical linear partial differential equation theory of physics (heat equation, wave equation and Laplace equation), Fourier series andtheFourier transformation, elements of the theory of Hilbert spaces and orthogonal polynomials over finite and infinite intervals.
Learning outcomes
At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to : | |
| 1 | a. Contribution the teaching unit to the learning outcomes of the programme 1.1, 1.3, 1.4, 2.1, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6 b. Specific learning outcomes of the teaching unit At the end of this teaching unit, the student will be able to : 1. find the solutions of the classical partial differential equations of physics in simple geometries; 2. determine the Fourier series of a given function; 3. apply the abstract theory of Fourier series in Hilbert spaces; 4. construct the classical orthogonal polynomials and apply them to the solution of differential equations; 5. apply the Fourier transform to solve partial differential equations. |
Content
1. Fourier series: periodic functions, trigonometric polynomials, Fourier series, Bessel's inequality, Parseval's theorem, convergence and Dirichlet's theorem, applications.
2. Partial differential equations: classification of linear partial differential equations of second order, heat equation, wave equation, Laplace equation, existence and uniqueness of solutions, solution methods.
3. Hilbert spaces: pre-Hilbert spaces, completeness and Hilbert spaces, Hilbert bases, examples (sequence and function spaces), abstract theory of Fourier series.
4. Orthogonal polynomials: definition on finite and infinite intervals, recurrence relations, Rodrigues' formula and the classical orthogonal polynomials, second-order differential equations, application of Legendre polynomials and spherical harmonics in physics.
5. The Fourier transformation: definition and properties, convolution product, Poisson summation formula, applications to the solution of linear differential equations, distributions and their Fourier transformation.
2. Partial differential equations: classification of linear partial differential equations of second order, heat equation, wave equation, Laplace equation, existence and uniqueness of solutions, solution methods.
3. Hilbert spaces: pre-Hilbert spaces, completeness and Hilbert spaces, Hilbert bases, examples (sequence and function spaces), abstract theory of Fourier series.
4. Orthogonal polynomials: definition on finite and infinite intervals, recurrence relations, Rodrigues' formula and the classical orthogonal polynomials, second-order differential equations, application of Legendre polynomials and spherical harmonics in physics.
5. The Fourier transformation: definition and properties, convolution product, Poisson summation formula, applications to the solution of linear differential equations, distributions and their Fourier transformation.
Teaching methods
The learning activities consist of lectures and exercise sessions.
The lectures introduce the concepts and ideas of mathematical methods that are necessary for understanding modern physics (such as quantum physics), establish rigorous results and present computational techniques and strategies. Furthermore, the connection with other teaching units of the Bachelor's programme in physics is emphasised.
The main objective of the exercise sessions is the application of the theory to concrete examples.
Both activities are given in person.
The lectures introduce the concepts and ideas of mathematical methods that are necessary for understanding modern physics (such as quantum physics), establish rigorous results and present computational techniques and strategies. Furthermore, the connection with other teaching units of the Bachelor's programme in physics is emphasised.
The main objective of the exercise sessions is the application of the theory to concrete examples.
Both activities are given in person.
Evaluation methods
The evaluation is based on a written exam and a continuous assessment during the semester. The exam deals with the application of calculation techniques of mathematical methods of physics. It tests the student's knowledge and his understanding of the notions seen in the theoretical course, the mastery of calculation techniques and the coherent presentation of this analysis. The result of the continuous assessment will be used for each session and cannot be represented.
The evaluation methods may be adapted and modified according to the evolution of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The evaluation methods may be adapted and modified according to the evolution of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Online resources
The MoodleUCL website of this teaching unit contains a detailed plan of the covered topics, a complete bibliography, exercise sheets and a collection of exam subjects from past years.
Bibliography
- W. Appel "Mathématiques pour la physique et les physiciens", Éditions H & K, Paris (2008).
- C. Aslangul "Des mathématiques pour les sciences", De Boeck (2011).
Faculty or entity
