Feature Stories 2021: Physics Undergraduate Research Presentation by Trevor Robertson

Abstract: Quantum physics displays an interesting interplay of deterministic evolution coupled with probabilistic outcome. At the fundamental level, this seemingly contradictory behavior makes quantum mechanics still somewhat mysterious even now,almost a century after its firm establishment and experimental verification. What makes quantum mechanics so captivating, is its ability to predict the evolution of states in a system via the time-dependent Schroedinger equation. Given a certain wave function describing an initial state, the Schroedinger equation unambiguously determines the state at future times. The correct evolution of quantum states is required for many different branches of physics. This research aims to produce stable and accurate results of the Schroedinger equation through an extended finite difference scheme.

Advisor: Dr. Jay Wang

Full presentation: 2020-Roberston_T