Coursera Exploring Quantum Physics

An introduction to quantum physics with emphasis on topics at the frontiers of research, and developing understanding through exercise. Quantum physics is the foundation for much of modern technology, provides the framework for understanding light and matter from the subatomic to macroscopic domains, and makes possible the most precise measurements ever made. More than just a theory, it offers a way of looking at the world that grows richer with experience and practice. Our course will provide some of that practice and teach you "tricks of the trade" (not found in textbooks) that will enable you to solve quantum-mechanical problems yourself and understand the subject at a deeper level.

Richard Feynman once said, “I think I can safely say that nobody understands quantum mechanics.” We say, that’s no reason not to try! What Feynman was referring to are some of the “spooky” phenomena like quantum entanglement, which are incomprehensible from the standpoint of classical physics. Even though they have been thoroughly tested by experiment, and are even being exploited for applications such as cryptography and logic processing, they still seem so counterintuitive that they give rise to extraordinary ideas such as the many-world theory. Quantum physics combines a spectacular record of discovery and predictive success, with foundational perplexities so severe that even Albert Einstein came to believe that it was wrong. This is what makes it such an exciting area of science!

Lecture 1: Introduction to quantum mechanics. Early experiments. Plane waves and wave-packets
Lecture 2: Interpretation and foundational principles of quantum mechanics
Lecture 3: Feynman formulation of quantum theory.
Lecture 4: Using Feynman path integral. Quantum-to-classical correspondence
Lecture 5: Back to the Schrödinger picture: bound states in quantum potential wells
Lecture 6: Cooper pairing in the theory of superconductivity
Lecture 7: Harmonic oscillator. Solution using creation and annihilation operators
Lecture 8: Classical and quantum crystals. Collective excitations in crystals – phonons
Lecture 9: Atomic spectra
Lecture 10: Quantum theory: old and new
Lecture 11: Solving the Schrödinger equation
Lecture 12: Angular momentum and the Runge-Lenz vector
Lecture 13: Electrical properties of matter
Lecture 14: Gauge potentials, spin and magnetism
Lecture 15: Quantum gases, quantum cryptography and quantum games
Lecture 16: Topological states of quantum matter

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