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For this paper you will research an important topic in
quantum mechanics that interests you. You will discuss the key ideas,
defining terms not known, and discussing the contributions of key
characters, importance of the topic, and status as of today. Ideas for topics:
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Bohr-Einstein debates (What was the history, debate
topics, conclusions? Which side do you take?)
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EPR Paradox (what is it, what was paper about, what were
responses by Bohr, Heisenberg, Schrodinger?)
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Bell's Theorem (What is the theory? What experimental
evidence has resulted? For example: 2022 Nobel Prize in Physics went to Alain Aspect, John Clauser and Anton Zeilinger for what?)
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Quantum Computation (What is a quantum computer? What
are key algorithms that make quantum computing desirable?)
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Feynman Path Integral Formulation (What is it and how is
it different? Why is it important?)
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How many Nobel prizes have been granted directly to the
development quantum of quantum mechanics? How many were given for
applications that result from quantum mechanics? Discuss the most recent
of these.
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What is relativistic quantum mechanics? (Who developed
the first relativistic versions? What were the consequences? What is the
key equation?)
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Neutrino Oscillations (Go further than what might have been done in
class.)
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Other topics (Numerical solutions, QED, Dirac Equation,
quantum optics, ) - Consult with instructor
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Deadlines
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Topic Proposal - Oct 30
Please give to me a typed proposal for the topic you
plan to cover. Not only a topic name, but a discussion of what you plan to
do with the topic, resources you plan to use, etc. It is not sufficient to
use Wikipedia or some physics blogs. Go to the library, check out American
Journal of Physics, Physics Today, and other physics journals. You might
also search arXiv.org,
http://arxiv.org/archive/physics, for topics. Older papers may already
be published.
You will be expected to submit a sufficient amount of
content and connection to the course material to warrant a decent grade for
this portion of the course. You need to demonstrate that you spend some time
researching the physics, the history, and digesting your topic. It should
not be a regurgitation of Wikipedia or other Internet sites. References
should also include books and articles from journals.
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Draft paper - This should be more than half (10-12 pgs) of
the proposed paper with an abstract, introduction to topic, some
historical background, a main body, and references. It should include properly
formatted figures and equations.
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Final paper - The final paper should be on the
order of 20 pages (maybe 3000-5000 words), with equations formatted, numbered, and referenced
properly. All figures should be numbered, have descriptive captions, and
be referenced in the paper and not just inserted to produce volume.
Attention should be give to any suggestions made in the corrections of
the draft paper.
All work should be typed with double-spacing and 12 pt
font. (You can use LaTeX,
but the page count might depend on the format you have chosen.) You will be expected to use correct English grammar and
punctuation. This is a report and thus you will use proper sentence and
paragraph formatting. Your work should also be supported with properly labeled and embedded
plots and equations. References should include articles and books with
little use of Wikipedia. Any references used should be cited in the body
of the paper as well. This
paper will count towards the project component of your grade.
Note, you will be graded on the how well you have
followed directions as well as evidence of work, physics detail and
understanding, proper exposition and neatness, and effort as noted by
appropriate length and depth presented.
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