This is just a report of a seminar.
By exploring truly modern aspects of quantum mechanics in the undergraduate laboratory students can understand Quantum Mechanics, which may be hard if students only think about those abstract theories. “Exploring Fundamentals of Quantum Mechanics in the Undergraduate Laboratory” was a lecture, which was presented by Professor Mark Beck. Before the lecture students learned quantum mechanics from a little of history to wave-particle Duality experimental phenomena, which was a huge step to cross. During the learning process, the heavy mathematical analysis usually bothered students a lot. Maybe the teaching materials or methods need to be changed. A suitable textbook will lead students to a new concept of learning quantum mechanics.
There were five presented experiments in this lecture. The purpose is to provide some visible results for students to understand comprehensive quantum mechanics. The first one was spontaneous parametric down conversion. The second one was to “prove” Photons exist. The third one was single-photon interference. The fourth one was quantum state measurement. The fifth one was to test of local realism. The first laboratory section included optical experiments, which provided one photon converted into two. Because of energy conservation and momentum conservation, the photons were produced at the same time. Since the optical experiment was visible, students could get clear images of the results, which helped them to comprehend the difficult quantum mechanics theories.
The main motivations of this lecture were to identify students’ difficulties and make quantum mechanics much more friendly. Quantum mechanics can be separated into “quantum” and “mechanics”. “Quantum” is more like a microscopic hypothesis to explain new concepts. The “mechanics” are the tools we use to solve those important concepts. In order to encourage students to use statistical analysis, they need to measure multiple experiments in a laboratory. A laboratory may be developed for hands-on experiments or observing apparent phenomena, which are both based on the application of quantum theories. When they are given big pictures of underlying principles of difficult theories in the classroom, students absorb those concepts,
which include thinking like a physicist and knowing concept maps. On the other hand, details are also important, which includes multiple methods and principles. Therefore, the reorganization of materials combine those individual theories and become big pictures.
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