584 Computational Methods

Tentative Syllabus

Mark Alford

• Mathematica.
• Project: statistical mechanics of quantum gases.

Wim Dickhoff

• Project: diagonalization of quantum mechanical potentials.

The Schroedinger equation of Quantum Mechanics can in some cases be solved analytically for discrete eigenvalues and corresponding wave functions. This is true for potentials with spherical symmetry like the Coulomb or 3-D Harmonic Oscillator. We will extend the solution for discrete eigenvalues for bound states of potentials that do not allow an analytical solution.

Francesc Ferrer

• Python / Matplotlib.
• Project: Monte Carlo generation of non-uniform directions on the sphere;biffurcation diagram for the tent-map.

Erik Henriksen

• Labview.
• Project: controlling a lab device, and reading data from it.

Mike Ogilvie

• Monte Carlo and the Metropolis Algorithm (maybe Python)
• Data workflow and analysis (shell)

Kasey Wagoner

• SolidWorks
• Project: designing a 3D object.