The Development of Elementary Quantum Theory

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-vii

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2. Introduction and Outline

   • Herbert Capellmann

   Pages 1-4

3. The Fundamental Differences Between Classical and Quantum Physics

   • Herbert Capellmann

   Pages 5-6

4. Planck’ s Quantum Hypothesis and Einstein’ s Contributions to the Foundations of Quantum Theory

   • Herbert Capellmann

   Pages 7-17

5. The “Old Quantum Theory”

   • Herbert Capellmann

   Pages 19-22

6. The Quantum Theory of Born, Heisenberg, and Jordan

   • Herbert Capellmann

   Pages 23-39

7. Continuous Representations of the New Quantum Laws

   • Herbert Capellmann

   Pages 41-49

8. The Consequences of the Basic Quantum Laws on Wave Phenomena and Quantum Uncertainties

   • Herbert Capellmann

   Pages 51-59

9. Early Opposition to the Copenhagen Interpretation

   • Herbert Capellmann

   Pages 61-69

10. Orthodox Portrayals of the Development of Quantum Mechanics, Comparison and Differences

    • Herbert Capellmann

    Pages 71-76

11. Later Criticism of the Copenhagen Interpretation

    • Herbert Capellmann

    Pages 77-81

12. Back Matter

    Pages 83-98

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This book traces the evolution of the ideas that eventually resulted in the elementary quantum theory in 1925/26. Further, it discusses the essential differences between the fundamental equations of Quantum Theory derived by Born and Jordan, logically comprising Quantum Mechanics and Quantum Optics, and the traditional view of the development of Quantum Mechanics. Drawing on original publications and letters written by the main protagonists of that time, it shows that Einstein’s contributions from 1905 to 1924 laid the essential foundations for the development of Quantum Theory. Einstein introduced quantization of the radiation field; Born added quantized mechanical behavior. In addition, Born recognized that Quantum Mechanics necessarily required Quantum Optics; his radical concept of truly discontinuous and statistical quantum transitions (“quantum leaps”) was directly based on Einstein’s physical concepts.

• Development of Quantum Mechanics
• Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Relation
• Wave Mechanics
• Matrix Mechanics
• Planck’s Quantum of Action
• Einstein Correspondence
• Founding fathers of Quantum Mechanics
• Evolution of Quantum Theory
• History of Quantum Theory

“This book describes how quantum mechanics arose and has been developed step by step thereby changing fundamental beliefs grown up in a pure mechanistic world. … This book is suitable for to be understood by interested laymen, young students, and philosophers.” (K.-E. Hellwig, zbMATH 1465.81004, 2021)

• Institut f. Theoretische Physik, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany

  Herbert Capellmann

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