Photon Quantum Mechanics for Undergraduates

本科生光子量子力学

• 批准号: 0442882
• 负责人: Enrique Galvez
• 金额: $ 17.62万
• 依托单位: Colgate University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2005
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2005-06-01 至 2009-05-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0442882&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Photon; Quantum; Mechanics; Undergraduates

This is the second stage of a project to develop tabletop laboratories with single photons for undergraduates. The aim is to enhance the teaching of quantum mechanics by exposing students to laboratory experiences that illustrate topics of quantum mechanics that are otherwise theoretical and abstract. In a previous NSF-funded program, the investigators demonstrated that experiments with single photons provide a means to understand fundamental quantum mechanical concepts. They also found that the experiments go well beyond these objectives because the experimental results underscore very fundamental issues about quantum mechanics, such as complementarity, entanglement and nonlocality. They are expanding the set of experiments that were originally planned to include experiments with entangled states. Students are developing these experiments as part of either curricular research projects (juniors and seniors) or summer research (all undergraduate levels). These experiments with single photons have the potential of becoming part of every physics department's upper-level undergraduate laboratory. The Investigators are increasing efforts to disseminate their knowledge and experience by building a prototype that can be transported to remote locations for demonstration and dissemination and by organizing workshops. A second component of the program involves creation of a set of laboratories for an upper-level undergraduate course on quantum mechanics and testing it at Colgate University. The set of laboratory experiences illustrates topics such as the difference between probability and probability amplitude, state-vector algebra, basis change, state projection, superposition of states, and quantum interference. They are evaluating and analyzing the impact of such an experience on the learning of quantum mechanics. They are inserting a chapter on this topic, with a corresponding laboratory component, into a course on Modern Introductory Physics taught mainly to first-year students. This program is providing new tools to teach quantum mechanics through both independent upper-level research projects or as part of a formal course. The new set of experiments is expected to: 1) motivate a revision in the way quantum mechanics is taught and inspire other physics program to consider introducing photon experiments into their curriculum, 2) lead to further development and enhancement of this educational tool through the generation of new experiments and their adaptation to institutional environments where affordability and simplicity are primary concerns, and 3) expose students to the principles of quantum mechanics providing better understanding of new advances in quantum information.

这是为本科生开发单光子桌面实验室项目的第二阶段。其目的是通过让学生接触实验室经验来增强量子力学的教学，这些实验室经验说明了量子力学的主题，否则这些主题是理论和抽象的。在之前NSF资助的项目中，研究人员证明了单光子实验提供了一种理解基本量子力学概念的方法。他们还发现，实验远远超出了这些目标，因为实验结果强调了量子力学的基本问题，如互补性，纠缠和非定域性。他们正在扩大最初计划的实验范围，包括纠缠态实验。学生正在开发这些实验作为课程研究项目（大三和大四）或暑期研究（所有本科水平）的一部分。这些单光子实验有可能成为每个物理系高级本科生实验室的一部分。调查人员正在加紧努力传播其知识和经验，方法是建立一个原型，可以运到偏远地点进行演示和传播，并组织讲习班。该计划的第二个组成部分涉及为高级量子力学本科课程创建一套实验室，并在高露洁大学进行测试。这组实验室经验说明了诸如概率和概率振幅之间的差异、状态向量代数、基变换、状态投影、状态叠加和量子干涉等主题。他们正在评估和分析这种经验对量子力学学习的影响。他们在一门主要面向一年级学生的《现代物理学入门》课程中插入了一章关于这一主题的内容，以及相应的实验部分。该计划提供了新的工具，通过独立的高级研究项目或作为正式课程的一部分来教授量子力学。新的一组实验预计将：1）激发量子力学教学方式的修订，并激励其他物理程序考虑将光子实验引入他们的课程，2）通过生成新实验及其适应机构环境（其中负担能力和简单性是主要关注点），进一步发展和增强这种教育工具，以及3）让学生接触量子力学的原理，从而更好地理解量子信息的新进展。