Quantum Theory: A Very Short Introduction


Book Description

Quantum Theory is the most revolutionary discovery in physics since Newton. This book gives a lucid, exciting, and accessible account of the surprising and counterintuitive ideas that shape our understanding of the sub-atomic world. It does not disguise the problems of interpretation that still remain unsettled 75 years after the initial discoveries. The main text makes no use of equations, but there is a Mathematical Appendix for those desiring stronger fare. Uncertainty, probabilistic physics, complementarity, the problematic character of measurement, and decoherence are among the many topics discussed. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.







Introduction to Quantum Mechanics


Book Description

Changes and additions to the new edition of this classic textbook include a new chapter on symmetries, new problems and examples, improved explanations, more numerical problems to be worked on a computer, new applications to solid state physics, and consolidated treatment of time-dependent potentials.




An Introductory Path to Quantum Theory


Book Description

Since the 17th century, physical theories have been expressed in the language of mathematical equations. This introduction to quantum theory uses that language to enable the reader to comprehend the notoriously non-intuitive ideas of quantum physics. The mathematical knowledge needed for using this book comes from standard undergraduate mathematics courses and is described in detail in the section Prerequisites. This text is especially aimed at advanced undergraduate and graduate students of mathematics, computer science, engineering and chemistry among other disciplines, provided they have the math background even though lacking preparation in physics. In fact, no previous formal study of physics is assumed.




Introduction to Quantum Mechanics


Book Description

This bestselling textbook teaches students how to do quantum mechanics and provides an insightful discussion of what it actually means.




A First Introduction to Quantum Physics


Book Description

In this undergraduate textbook, now in its 2nd edition, the author develops the quantum theory from first principles based on very simple experiments: a photon traveling through beam splitters to detectors, an electron moving through magnetic fields, and an atom emitting radiation. From the physical description of these experiments follows a natural mathematical description in terms of matrices and complex numbers. The first part of the book examines how experimental facts force us to let go of some deeply held preconceptions and develops this idea into a description of states, probabilities, observables, and time evolution. The quantum mechanical principles are illustrated using applications such as gravitational wave detection, magnetic resonance imaging, atomic clocks, scanning tunneling microscopy, and many more. The first part concludes with an overview of the complete quantum theory. The second part of the book covers more advanced topics, including the concept of entanglement, the process of decoherence or how quantum systems become classical, quantum computing and quantum communication, and quantum particles moving in space. Here, the book makes contact with more traditional approaches to quantum physics. The remaining chapters delve deeply into the idea of uncertainty relations and explore what the quantum theory says about the nature of reality. The book is an ideal accessible introduction to quantum physics, tested in the classroom, with modern examples and plenty of end-of-chapter exercises.




Introduction to Quantum Mechanics with Applications to Chemistry


Book Description

Classic undergraduate text explores wave functions for the hydrogen atom, perturbation theory, the Pauli exclusion principle, and the structure of simple and complex molecules. Numerous tables and figures.




An Introduction to Theory and Applications of Quantum Mechanics


Book Description

Based on a Cal Tech course, this is an outstanding introduction to formal quantum mechanics for advanced undergraduates in applied physics. The treatment's exploration of a wide range of topics culminates in two eminently practical subjects, the semiconductor transistor and the laser. Each chapter concludes with a set of problems. 1982 edition.




Introduction to Quantum Mechanics


Book Description

Introduction to Quantum Mechanics covers quantum mechanics from a time-dependent perspective in a unified way from beginning to end. Intended for upper-level undergraduate and graduate courses this text will change the way people think about and teach quantum mechanics in chemistry and physics departments.




An Introduction to Quantum Theory


Book Description

This book provides an introduction to quantum theory primarily for students of mathematics. Although the approach is mainly traditional the discussion exploits ideas of linear algebra, and points out some of the mathematical subtleties of the theory. Amongst the less traditional topics are Bell's inequalities, coherent and squeezed states, and introductions to group representation theory. Later chapters discuss relativistic wave equations and elementary particle symmetries from a group theoretical standpoint rather than the customary Lie algebraic approach. This book is intended for the later years of an undergraduate course or for graduates. It assumes a knowledge of basic linear algebra and elementary group theory, though for convenience these are also summarized in an appendix.