Instructional simulation software for undergraduate quantum or modern physics will be developed. It will introduce the time-dependent Schrodinger equation in a simple discrete form to do many intuition-building real-time simulations. The software will allow students to see directly that the Schrodinger equation governs real-world phenomena such as resonant absorption of electromagnetic waves. This intuitive background will make it much easier for a student to understand the formal theory of the Schrodinger equation as a partial differential equation. The software will be a general-purpose one- and two-dimensional time-dependent Schrodinger solver, based on a new fast and accurate algorithm. This software will be of immediate use in upper-level physics courses.

Agency
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Institute
Division of Physics (PHY)
Application #
9206642
Program Officer
Rolf M. Sinclair
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
1992-06-01
Budget End
1996-11-30
Support Year
Fiscal Year
1992
Total Cost
$79,392
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Tuscaloosa
State
AL
Country
United States
Zip Code
35487