Book Description

From conch shells to lasers . harmonic oscillators, the timeless scientific phenomenon As intriguing to Galileo as they are to scientists today, harmonic oscillators have provided a simple and compelling paradigm for understanding the complexities that underlie some of nature's and mankind's most fascinating creations. From early string and wind instruments fashioned from bows and seashells to the intense precision of lasers, harmonic oscillators have existed in various forms, as objects of beauty and scientific use. And harmonic oscillation has endured as one of science's most fascinating concepts, key to understanding the physical universe and a linchpin in fields as diverse as mechanics, electromagnetics, electronics, optics, acoustics, and quantum mechanics. Complete with disk, Introduction to Classical and Quantum Harmonic Oscillators is a hands-on guide to understanding how harmonic oscillators function and the analytical systems used to describe them. Professionals and students in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, physics, and chemistry will gain insight in applying these analytical techniques to even more complex systems. With the help of spreadsheets ready to run on Microsoft Excel (or easily imported to Quattro Pro or Lotus 1-2-3), users will be able to thoroughly and easily examine concepts and questions, of considerable difficulty and breadth, without painstaking calculation. The software allows users to imagine, speculate, and ask "what if .?" and then instantly see the answer. You're not only able to instantly visualize results but also to interface with data acquisition boards to import real-world information. The graphic capability of the software allows you to view your work in color and watch new results blossom as you change parameters and initial conditions. Introduction to Classical and Quantum Harmonic Oscillators is a practical, graphically enhanced excursion into the world of harmonic oscillators that lets the reader experience and understand their utility and unique contribution to scientific understanding. It also describes one of the enduring themes in scientific inquiry, begun in antiquity and with an as yet unimagined future.