My teaching was centered on quantum mechanics and its applications, mainly in quantum optics and in the domain of atom manipulation and cooling. It took place at Ecole polytechnique (courses PHY311 and PHY432) and at Ecole normale supérieure (level M1 and M2).
First
year quantum mechanics
The first
year course PHY311 is attended by all 500 students. Its goal
is to provide the students with an introduction to quantum
mechanics and some of its applications. It starts with wave
mechanics, concentrating on one-dimensional problems such as
the motion of a particle in a square well and the harmonic
oscillator. This leads to the notion of state vector and to
the formulation of the principles of quantum mechanics using
Dirac formalism. These principles are illustrated using the
description of maser operation and quantum cryptography. This
course has strong cross-references with the courses on
mathematics and on probability theory.
Second
year course in physics
The second
year course PHY432 is an optional course which consists in a set
of lectures on quantum mechanics (lectures by Jean Dalibard) and
another set on statistical physics (lectures by Marc
Mézard). In 2006, this course was attended by 80% of
the students. The quantum mechanics course starts with the basic
principles of the theory and their illustrations with simple
systems. Then it addresses problems involving several degrees of
freedom, which leads naturally to the quantization of angular
momentum and the notion of spin. These concepts are illustrated
by examples in atomic physics, magnetic resonance, and entangled
states (with a discussion of EPR paradox and Bell inequalities).
Finally, the investigation of systems of identical particles and
of the Pauli principle provides a natural step towards
statistical physics.
The quantum
mechanics course of Ecole polytechnique and the corresponding
problem set are published by Springer:
Quantum Mechanics, Jean-Louis-Basdevant, Jean Dalibard, with a
CD (and a web site) by Manuel Joffre
The Quantum Solver, Jean-Louis-Basdevant and Jean Dalibard
Course
taught as part of the advanced programmes in Mathematics,
Applied Mathematics and Physics, written in collaboration with
Amandine Aftalion and Christophe Josserand (in French):
Équation
de Schrödinger non linéaire : des condensats de Bose-Einstein
aux supersolides
Quantum
coherence and dissipation
In this course we discuss several physical
situations wich originate from quantum optics, atomic physics
or condensed matter physics, where quantum coherence plays an
important role. Using simple examples we show that coherence
is related to the existence of several indistinguishable paths
for the history of a quantum system. Decoherence resulting
from the coupling between the system and its environment is
discussed in terms of master equation for the density matrix,
and in terms of stochastic wave functions. We explain the
origin of the fragility of superposition of states involving
macroscopic objects, the so-called "Schrödinger cats". Finally
we address the notion of phase for a quantum coherent system
such as a Bose-Einstein condensate, and we discuss some recent
experimental results in this domain.
This course
is part of the Formation interuniversitaire de physique (Paris
VI, Paris VII, Paris XI, ENS).
Exam of
November 2003: Decoherence in an atom interferometer (French text)
Exam of Novembre 2004: Interaction with a "structured"
continuum: from spontaneous emission to Rabi oscillation (French text)
Exam of
Novembre 2005: Dark resonances and subrecoil cooling (French text)
Exam of November 2006: Quantum jumps in a Penning
trap (French text)
Exam of November 2007: The superradiance phenomenon (French text)
Cold
atoms.
This course
presents the principles and the practical implementation of the
recent methods which have been developed for cooling atoms by
light, and for trapping charged and neutral particles using
electromagnetic fields. Then it explores some spectacular
applications of the research field: degenerate quantum gases,
Bose-Einstein condensation, atom interferometry. The course is
part of the Master "Sciences & Technologie, Concepts
fondamentaux de la physique".
Advanced
quantum mechanics.
This course,
taught from 1990 to 2000 at the "DEA de Physique Quantique", is
devoted to systems of identical particles and second
quantization, to the treatment of time-dependent problems, and
to scattering theory.