Wan Quantum Mechanics

A Fundamental Approach
1. Auflage 2019
ISBN: 978-1-351-33336-8
Verlag: Taylor & Francis
Format: PDF
Kopierschutz: 0 - No protection

E-Book, Englisch, 720 Seiten

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. This makes it difficult to appreciate the mathematical formalism and hampers the understanding of 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.

Quantum mechanics is presented in six groups of postulates. A chapter is devoted to each group of postulates with a detailed discussion. Systems with superselection rules, and some conceptual issues such as quantum paradoxes and measurement, are also discussed. The book concludes with several illustrative applications, which include harmonic and isotropic oscillators, charged particle in external magnetic fields and the Aharonov–Bohm effect.

Zielgruppe

Advanced undergraduates and postgraduates in physics, theoretical physics, mathematics, astronomy and philosophy of science.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Wan, Kong

Wan, K. Kong

Fachgebiete

• Naturwissenschaften Chemie Physikalische Chemie
• Naturwissenschaften Physik Physik Allgemein Theoretische Physik, Mathematische Physik, Computerphysik
• Naturwissenschaften Physik Quantenphysik

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Classical and quantum systems

Probability theories

Three-dimensional vectors and operators

Matrices

Generating probability distribution by self-adjoint operators and unit vectors in three dimensions

N-dimensional complex vectors and operators

Model theories based on N-dimensional vector spaces

Hilbert spaces and operators

Spectral theories for self-adjoint and unitary operators

Probability, self-adjoint operators and unit vectors

Physics of unitary transformation

Direct sums and tensor products of Hilbert spaces and operators

Quantum mechanics described by six groups of postulates

Superselection rules

Many-particle systems

Conceptual issues

Harmonic and isotropic oscillators

Angular momenta

Particles in static magnetic fields

Über Autor(innen)

Kong Wan is honorary reader in Theoretical Physics in St Andrews University, Scotland, UK. He studied theoretical physics in St Andrews, both as an undergraduate and a postgraduate, and was awarded a PhD in 1972. He stayed on in St Andrews and became a reader in Theoretical Physics. His research has focussed on the foundations and formalism of quantum mechanics.