Albert = Quantum Mechanics and Experience
Hughes = Structure and Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics
This schedule is subject to revision -- please check back for updates (Last updated: 04.23.03)
|
Date |
Topic |
Reading |
|
The Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics - Part I |
||
| 02.03 | Overview | |
| 02.05 | Crisis for classical physics: Blackbody radiation, photoelectric effect, atomic stability | Sklar, Philosophy of Physics, pp. 157-171. (Available from electronic course reserves and from the course website) |
| 02.10 | Heisenberg's uncertainty/indeterminacy principle | Sklar, pp. 172-187. Some study questions |
| 02.12 | Schrödinger's cat
(superpositions)
Wigner's dualism The many worlds interpretation |
Sklar, pp. 187-202. |
| 02.17 | Lecture cancelled for blizzard | |
| 02.19 | Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen
paradox
Bell's theorem |
Sklar, pp. 202-225. |
|
The Formalism of Quantum Mechanics |
||
| 02.24 | Formal model of a couple simple quantum systems | Hughes, pp. 11-28. |
| 02.26 | A slightly more complex quantum system (spin) | Hughes, pp. 28-37. |
| 03.23 | Axioms for a general quantum system (vector spaces and linear operators) | Hughes, pp. 38-51. |
| 03.05 | States and observables | Hughes, pp. 57-79. |
| 03.10 | Eigenvectors and eigenvalues; dynamics | Hughes, pp. 113-118. |
| 03.12 |
Composite systems |
|
| 03.17 | SPRING RECESS | |
| 03.19 | SPRING RECESS | |
| 03.24 | Review for exam | |
| 03.26 |
MIDTERM EXAM |
|
| 03.31 | Formalism for composite systems | Albert, pp. 47-53; Hughes, pp. 136-151. |
| The Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics - Part II | ||
| 04.02 | The measurement problem | Albert, Chap. 4. |
| 04.07 | Dynamical reduction theories (GRW) | Albert, Chap. 5. (Additional suggested reading: Collapse theories) |
| 04.09 | Everett-inspired interpretations: The bare theory | Albert, Chap. 6. (Suggested reading: Everett & Many worlds interpretation) |
| 04.14 | Everett-inspired interpretations: Many worlds, many minds | None |
| 04.16 | Einstein, Podolsky and Rosen against the completeness of quantum mechanics |
Einstein et. al, "Can
quantum-mechanical description of reality be considered complete?"
(e-reserves); Redhead, "The Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen incompleteness argument" (e-reserves). |
| 04.21 | Bohm's hidden variable theory | Albert, pp. 134-155 (Suggested reading: Albert, "Bohm's alternative to quantum mechanics" e-reserves) |
| 04.23 | Bohm's hidden variable theory | Albert, pp. 155-179 (Suggested reading: Bohmian mechanics) |
| 04.28 | Bell's theorem | Hughes, pp.171-174, 237-254; Bell, "Bertlemann's socks and the nature of reality" (e-reserves). |
| 04.30 | Bell's theorem | Mermin, "Quantum mysteries for anyone" (e-reserves). |