Some Modern Mathematics for Physicists and Other Outsiders


Book Description

Some Modern Mathematics for Physicists and Other Outsiders: An Introduction to Algebra, Topology, and Functional Analysis, Volume 1 focuses on the operations, principles, methodologies, and approaches employed in algebra, topology, and functional analysis. The publication first offers information on sets, maps, and algebraic composition laws and systems. Discussions focus on morphisms of algebraic systems, sequences and families, cardinal numbers, ordered sets and maps, equivalence relations and maps, composite functions and inverses, operations with sets, and relations in sets. The text then ponders on special algebraic systems, topological spaces, and topological spaces with special properties. Topics include complete metric spaces, compact spaces, separable and connected spaces, homeomorphism and isometry, convergence, continuity, general structure of topological spaces, rings and fields, linear spaces, linear algebras, and nonassociative algebras. The book elaborates on the theory of integration and measure spaces, including measurable spaces, general properties of the integral, and measureable functions. The publication is a valuable reference for theoretical physicists, research engineers, and scientists who are concerned with structural problems.







From Micro to Macro Quantum Systems


Book Description

Traditional quantum theory has a very rigid structure, making it difficult to accommodate new properties emerging from novel systems. This book presents a flexible and unified theory for physical systems, from micro and macro quantum to classical. This is achieved by incorporating superselection rules and maximal symmetric operators into the theory. The resulting theory is applicable to classical, microscopic quantum and non-orthodox mixed quantum systems of which macroscopic quantum systems are examples. A unified formalism also greatly facilitates the discussion of interactions between these systems. A scheme of quantization by parts is introduced, based on the mathematics of selfadjoint and maximal symmetric extensions of symmetric operators, to describe point interactions. The results are applied to treat superconducting quantum circuits in various configurations.This book also discusses various topics of interest such as the asymptotic treatment of quantum state preparation and quantum measurement, local observables and local values, Schr”dinger's cat states in superconducting systems, and a path space formulation of quantum mechanics.This self-contained book is complete with a review of relevant geometric and operator theories, for example, vector fields and operators, symmetric operators and their maximal symmetric extensions, direct integrals of Hilbert spaces and operators.







The Structures of Mathematical Physics


Book Description

This textbook serves as an introduction to groups, rings, fields, vector and tensor spaces, algebras, topological spaces, differentiable manifolds and Lie groups --- mathematical structures which are foundational to modern theoretical physics. It is aimed primarily at undergraduate students in physics and mathematics with no previous background in these topics. Applications to physics --- such as the metric tensor of special relativity, the symplectic structures associated with Hamilton's equations and the Generalized Stokes's Theorem --- appear at appropriate places in the text. Worked examples, end-of-chapter problems (many with hints and some with answers) and guides to further reading make this an excellent book for self-study. Upon completing this book the reader will be well prepared to delve more deeply into advanced texts and specialized monographs in theoretical physics or mathematics.




Quantum Mechanics


Book Description

The mathematical formalism of quantum theory in terms of vectors and operators in infinite-dimensional complex vector spaces is very abstract. The definitions of many mathematical quantities used do not seem to have an intuitive meaning, which makes it difficult to appreciate the mathematical formalism and understand quantum mechanics. This book provides intuition and motivation to the mathematics of quantum theory, introducing the mathematics in its simplest and familiar form, for instance, with three-dimensional vectors and operators, which can be readily understood. Feeling confident about and comfortable with the mathematics used helps readers appreciate and understand the concepts and formalism of quantum mechanics. This book is divided into four parts. Part I is a brief review of the general properties of classical and quantum systems. A general discussion of probability theory is also included which aims to help in understanding the probability theories relevant to quantum mechanics. Part II is a detailed study of the mathematics for quantum mechanics. Part III presents quantum mechanics in a series of postulates. Six groups of postulates are presented to describe orthodox quantum systems. Each statement of a postulate is supplemented with a detailed discussion. To make them easier to understand, the postulates for discrete observables are presented before those for continuous observables. Part IV presents several illustrative applications, which include harmonic and isotropic oscillators, charged particle in external magnetic fields and the Aharonov–Bohm effect. For easy reference, definitions, theorems, examples, comments, properties and results are labelled with section numbers. Various symbols and notations are adopted to distinguish different quantities explicitly and to avoid misrepresentation. Self-contained both mathematically and physically, the book is accessible to a wide readership, including astrophysicists, mathematicians and philosophers of science who are interested in the foundations of quantum mechanics.




Lectures on Selected Topics in Mathematical Physics


Book Description

This book is a sequel to Lectures on Selected Topics in Mathematical Physics: Introduction to Lie theory with applications. This volume is devoted mostly to Lie groups. Lie algebras and generating functions, both for standard special functions and for solution of certain types of physical problems. It is an informal treatment of these topics intended for physics graduate students or others with a physics background wanting a brief and informal introduction to the subjects addressed in a style and vocabulary not completely unfamiliar.




Quantum Theory: Concepts and Methods


Book Description

There are many excellent books on quantum theory from which one can learn to compute energy levels, transition rates, cross sections, etc. The theoretical rules given in these books are routinely used by physicists to compute observable quantities. Their predictions can then be compared with experimental data. There is no fundamental disagreement among physicists on how to use the theory for these practical purposes. However, there are profound differences in their opinions on the ontological meaning of quantum theory. The purpose of this book is to clarify the conceptual meaning of quantum theory, and to explain some of the mathematical methods which it utilizes. This text is not concerned with specialized topics such as atomic structure, or strong or weak interactions, but with the very foundations of the theory. This is not, however, a book on the philosophy of science. The approach is pragmatic and strictly instrumentalist. This attitude will undoubtedly antagonize some readers, but it has its own logic: quantum phenomena do not occur in a Hilbert space, they occur in a laboratory.




Real and Functional Analysis


Book Description

This book is based on lectures given at "Mekhmat", the Department of Mechanics and Mathematics at Moscow State University, one of the top mathematical departments worldwide, with a rich tradition of teaching functional analysis. Featuring an advanced course on real and functional analysis, the book presents not only core material traditionally included in university courses of different levels, but also a survey of the most important results of a more subtle nature, which cannot be considered basic but which are useful for applications. Further, it includes several hundred exercises of varying difficulty with tips and references. The book is intended for graduate and PhD students studying real and functional analysis as well as mathematicians and physicists whose research is related to functional analysis.




Advanced Mathematics for Applications


Book Description

The partial differential equations that govern scalar and vector fields are the very language used to model a variety of phenomena in solid mechanics, fluid flow, acoustics, heat transfer, electromagnetism and many others. A knowledge of the main equations and of the methods for analyzing them is therefore essential to every working physical scientist and engineer. Andrea Prosperetti draws on many years' research experience to produce a guide to a wide variety of methods, ranging from classical Fourier-type series through to the theory of distributions and basic functional analysis. Theorems are stated precisely and their meaning explained, though proofs are mostly only sketched, with comments and examples being given more prominence. The book structure does not require sequential reading: each chapter is self-contained and users can fashion their own path through the material. Topics are first introduced in the context of applications, and later complemented by a more thorough presentation.