Description: This course is an introduction to modern atomic physics. Topics to be covered include atomic structure, fundamental symmetries in atoms, interactions of atoms with radiation, laser spectroscopy, trapping and cooling, quantum information, and modern experimental techniques.
Specifically for Autumn 2026, this course will put the “modern” in “modern atomic physics”. We will focus on quantum computation with arrays of neutral atoms, which has seen staggering progress in the past few years.
Prerequisites: undergrad quantum
Course Material:
Primers (extra resources): Quantum mechanics , Math , Free lecture notes on quantum algorithms , Course notes on Rydberg atoms
Lecture notes:
Description: Introduction to quantum information and computing for sophomores, juniors and seniors from any major. Self-contained description of quantum states and qubits, operators, measurements, tensor products, density matrices, quantum gates and circuits, and quantum computing/simulation algorithms. One of the key points of departure from classical physics, quantum entanglement, is threaded throughout all these topics including a dedicated discussion of Bell's theorem. Students will apply these basic aspects of quantum mechanics to program online quantum computers (e.g., IBM cloud) to gain insight into canonical algorithms such as Deutsch-Jozsa, Shor, and/or Grover as well as standard protocols such as teleportation and entanglement swapping.
Prerequisite: PHYS 214
Course Material:
Primers (extra resources): Quantum mechanics , Math , Free lecture notes on quantum algorithms , Course notes on Rydberg atoms
Description: Interference and diffraction, photons and matter waves, the Bohr atom, uncertainty principle, and wave mechanics. A calculus-based course for majors in engineering, mathematics, physics, and chemistry.
Description: First and second laws of thermodynamics including kinetic theory of gases, heat capacity, heat engines, introduction to entropy and statistical mechanics, and introduction to application of free energy and Boltzmann factor. A calculus-based approach for majors in engineering, mathematics, physics and chemistry.
Description: Coulomb's Law, electric fields, Gauss' Law, electric potential, capacitance, circuits, magnetic forces and fields, Ampere's law, induction, electromagnetic waves, polarization, and geometrical optics. A calculus-based approach for majors in engineering, mathematics, physics, and chemistry.
Description: Newton's Laws, work and energy, static properties and fluids, oscillations, transverse waves, systems of particles, and rotations. A calculus-based approach for majors in engineering, mathematics, physics and chemistry.