The quantum mechanics examples in this section model standard quantum-mechanical phenomena seen in intermediate and advanced courses. The material stresses time evolution of bound states (eigenstates, 2-state superpositions, and wave packets) and measurement (spin and bound-state systems) of quantum-mechanical systems. The programs depict the time-dependent quantum-mechanical wave function either by time evolving analytic energy eigenstate solutions (which correspond to several standard potentials), time evolving numerically-determined energy eigenstate solutions, or numerically time evolving an initial state. Although the programs presented here are distributed in Launcher packages that contain multiple programs and associated curricular material, they can also be be embedded into html pages for easy Internet-based distribution and quick browsing.
Browse to the bottom of the outline for more details on a given program.
| Program | Description |
|---|---|
| QMSuperposition | Allows for the time evolution of superpositions of energy eigenstates (single state, two state, wave packets, etc). Basic visualization shows the wave function. One can add probability density, <x>, <p>, momentum space, and Wigner function. |
| TDHalfStepApp TDSplitOperatorApp | Allows for the evolution of an initial state in time according to the Schrodinger equation. The TDHalfStepApp program is suitable for regular boundary conditions like that of the infinite square well and simple harmonic oscillator, while the TDSplitOperatorApp program uses periodic boundary conditions and is therefore appropriate for a particle on a ring or a hoop. |
| MeasurementApp | Allows for the measurement of energy, position, and momentum of a given quantum state. These states can be energy eigenstates, two-state superpositions, or localized wave packets. The multiple measurements can be made on a single state or single measurements can be made on identically prepared elements of an ensemble. |
| orst.spins.Spins | Allows for single and multiple measurement of an ensemble of spin-1/2 systems. In addition, these exercises also show the time evolution of spin states in an external magnetic field, spin precession. [original Macintosh version by Dan Schroeder, original Java version by David McIntyre, and OSP Java Version by Wolfgang Christian] |
| Complex2DFunctionApp Real2DFunctionApp QMBoxApp | allows for the study of 2-d quantum-mechanical systems and visualization of quasi phase space in quantum mechanics via the Wigner function. |
You may directly access (browse) the binary directory containing these jar files. Note that the binary directory also contains code libraries (jar files) that are not designed to run as stand-alone applications.