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GeorgetownX: Quantum Mechanics

Learn the quantum mechanics needed to prepare you for the second quantum revolution (focused on quantum sensing). We use a new way to teach quantum for undergraduates by focusing on conceptual ideas and operator manipulations. This allows us to discuss more applications to experiment usually done. You need a background in the full calculus sequence and in math methods. Freshman physics and modern physics is recommended. This course is appropriate for physicists, chemists and engineers.

18 semanas
8–12 horas por semana
Al ritmo del instructor
Con un cronograma específico
Este curso está archivado

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Quantum mechanics courses typically require you to learn a lot of high-level math in addition to the science, making it challenging to absorb and apply quantum ideas. Students often take these classes multiple times before they even begin to understand. In this course, we teach quantum mechanics in a representation-independent fashion that focuses on operators. The prerequisite math is lower, and we need to develop less of it. This allows us to focus on developing conceptual understanding and on relating quantum ideas to real experiments. We are amidst the second quantum revolution, where we observe and manipulate individual quanta. This has ushered in the new field of quantum information science, with its three pillars of quantum computing, quantum communication and quantum sensing. This course will prepare you best for the quantum sensing side of quantum information science. You will even learn enough quantum mechanics to understand how the laser interferometry gravitational wave observatory works---one of the engineering marvels of humankind. Prerequisites: The three-semester calculus sequence and a math methods course are required. Freshman physics and modern physics are recommended. This course is appropriate for those with backgrounds in physics, chemistry, and engineering who are interested in learning quantum mechanics with a focus on applications to quantum sensing.

GeorgetownX currently offers a Mathematical and Computational Methods course.

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  • Language English
  • Video Transcript English
  • Associated programs
  • Associated skillsMechanics, Modern Physics, Quantum Information, Quantum Computing, Communications, Physics, Calculus, Chemistry, Basic Math, Experimentation, Quantum Mechanics

Lo que aprenderás

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The course is broken into four parts, covering the following areas:

(i) conceptual ideas;

(ii) technical developments for working with operators;

(iii) applications to experiment;

(iv) applications to sensing.

It begins with conceptual ideas associated with spins and light, which allow us to discuss complex phenomena, such as Bell experiments, nondemolition experiments, and photon bunching. Then we develop the formal methods needed to work with operators, including four fundamental operator identities. Next, we apply the formal developments to quantum problems, employing the Schr\"odinger factorization method and relating to many quantum experiments. We end by describing how single photons are detected, what a squeezed vacuum is and how LIGO can measure distances small enough that it can detect gravitational waves. The conceptual part is supplemented by over 50 computer-based simulations and animations. Each week has a robust problem set. There are two midterms and one final exam.

¿Quién puede hacer este curso?

Lamentablemente, las personas residentes en uno o más de los siguientes países o regiones no podrán registrarse para este curso: Irán, Cuba y la región de Crimea en Ucrania. Si bien edX consiguió licencias de la Oficina de Control de Activos Extranjeros de los EE. UU. (U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control, OFAC) para ofrecer nuestros cursos a personas en estos países y regiones, las licencias que hemos recibido no son lo suficientemente amplias como para permitirnos dictar este curso en todas las ubicaciones. edX lamenta profundamente que las sanciones estadounidenses impidan que ofrezcamos todos nuestros cursos a cualquier persona, sin importar dónde viva.

Este curso es parte del programa Foundations of Quantum Sensing Professional Certificate

Más información 
Instrucción por expertos
2 cursos de capacitación
Dictado por instructores
Las tareas y los exámenes tienen fechas de entrega específicas
9 meses
8 - 11 horas semanales

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