Interactive simulations and visualizations augment the teaching and learning of quantum mechanics by making equations and concepts come to life. However, graphical visualizations are nearly always limited to a set of hard-coded functionalities. Text-based codes can offer a higher degree of flexibility, but only at the expense of steep learning curves or time investments. We introduce Quantum Composer, which allows the user to build, expand, or explore quantum mechanical simulations by interacting with graphically connectable nodes, each corresponding to a physical concept, mathematical operation, or visualization. Quantum Composer eliminates numerical and programming details while retaining accessibility, emphasis on understanding, and rapid feedback mechanisms. We illustrate its open-ended applicability through a series of examples in introductory and advanced quantum mechanics courses, student projects, and research environments.
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March 2021
March 01 2021
Quantum composer: A programmable quantum visualization and simulation tool for education and research
Shaeema Zaman Ahmed;
Shaeema Zaman Ahmed
a)
Department of Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University
, Ny Munkegade 120, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
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Jesper Hasseriis Mohr Jensen;
Jesper Hasseriis Mohr Jensen
a)
Department of Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University
, Ny Munkegade 120, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
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Carrie Ann Weidner;
Carrie Ann Weidner
a)
Department of Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University
, Ny Munkegade 120, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
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Jens Jakob Sørensen;
Jens Jakob Sørensen
Department of Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University
, Ny Munkegade 120, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
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Marcel Mudrich;
Marcel Mudrich
Department of Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University
, Ny Munkegade 120, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
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Jacob Friis Sherson
Jacob Friis Sherson
b)
Department of Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University
, Ny Munkegade 120, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
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a)
These three authors contributed equally.
b)
Electronic mail: sherson@phys.au.dk
Am. J. Phys. 89, 307–316 (2021)
Article history
Received:
June 22 2020
Accepted:
January 06 2021
Citation
Shaeema Zaman Ahmed, Jesper Hasseriis Mohr Jensen, Carrie Ann Weidner, Jens Jakob Sørensen, Marcel Mudrich, Jacob Friis Sherson; Quantum composer: A programmable quantum visualization and simulation tool for education and research. Am. J. Phys. 1 March 2021; 89 (3): 307–316. https://doi.org/10.1119/10.0003396
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