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  • Textbook
  • © 2012

The Picture Book of Quantum Mechanics

  • Extensively uses computer graphics and pictures to visualize the subject of quantum mechanics

  • Contains more than a hundred problems designed to help students extract the physics from the figures

  • Complements any standard textbook on quantum mechanics, providing insights into the dynamical structure of quantum theory

  • Presents all computer graphics in full color, and contains additional physics topics such as hybridization, bound states and scattering

  • Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

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Table of contents (18 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xvi
  2. Introduction

    • Siegmund Brandt, Hans Dieter Dahmen
    Pages 1-10
  3. Light Wavess

    • Siegmund Brandt, Hans Dieter Dahmen
    Pages 11-31
  4. Probability Waves of Matter

    • Siegmund Brandt, Hans Dieter Dahmen
    Pages 32-55
  5. Solution of the Schrödinger Equation in One Dimension

    • Siegmund Brandt, Hans Dieter Dahmen
    Pages 56-77
  6. One-Dimensional Quantum Mechanics: Scattering by a Potential

    • Siegmund Brandt, Hans Dieter Dahmen
    Pages 78-110
  7. Quantile Motion in One Dimension

    • Siegmund Brandt, Hans Dieter Dahmen
    Pages 141-156
  8. Coupled Harmonic Oscillators: Distinguishable Particles

    • Siegmund Brandt, Hans Dieter Dahmen
    Pages 157-169
  9. Coupled Harmonic Oscillators: Indistinguishable Particles

    • Siegmund Brandt, Hans Dieter Dahmen
    Pages 170-184
  10. Wave Packet in Three Dimensions

    • Siegmund Brandt, Hans Dieter Dahmen
    Pages 185-224
  11. Solution of the Schrödinger Equation in Three Dimensions

    • Siegmund Brandt, Hans Dieter Dahmen
    Pages 225-231
  12. Three-Dimensional Quantum Mechanics: Scattering by a Potential

    • Siegmund Brandt, Hans Dieter Dahmen
    Pages 232-250
  13. Three-Dimensional Quantum Mechanics: Bound States

    • Siegmund Brandt, Hans Dieter Dahmen
    Pages 251-293
  14. Hybridization

    • Siegmund Brandt, Hans Dieter Dahmen
    Pages 294-310
  15. Three-Dimensional Quantum Mechanics: Resonance Scattering

    • Siegmund Brandt, Hans Dieter Dahmen
    Pages 311-336
  16. Coulomb Scattering

    • Siegmund Brandt, Hans Dieter Dahmen
    Pages 337-352
  17. Spin

    • Siegmund Brandt, Hans Dieter Dahmen
    Pages 353-372
  18. Examples from Experiment

    • Siegmund Brandt, Hans Dieter Dahmen
    Pages 373-412
  19. Back Matter

    Pages 413-472

About this book

The aim of this book is to explain the basic concepts and phenomena of quantum mechanics by means of visualisation. Computer-generated illustrations in color are used extensively throughout the text, helping to establish the relation between quantum mechanics—wave functions, interference, atomic structure, and so forth—and classical physics—point mechanics, statistical mechanics, and wave optics. Even more important, by studying the pictures in parallel with the text, readers develop an intuition for such notoriously abstract phenomena as:

  • the tunnel effect 
  • excitation and decay of metastable states 
  • wave-packet motion within a well 
  • systems of distinguishable and indistinguishable particles 
  • free wave packets and scattering in 3 dimensions 
  • angular-momentum decomposition 
  • stationary bound states in various 3-dimensional potentials 
  • hybrid states 
  • Kepler motion of wave packets in the Coulomb field 
  • spin and magnetic resonance 

Illustrations from experiments in a variety of fields, including chemistry, and molecular, atomic, nuclear, and particle physics, underline the basic as well as the practical importance of quantum mechanics. In the present, fourth edition all computer graphics are presented in full colour. It also contains additional physics topics such as hybridisation.

Reviews

From the reviews of the fourth edition:

“This book is aimed at beginners in quantum mechanics who want to gain some insight into the various physical phenomena which happen at the (sub)atomic scale, and for which no daily experience is available. It will serve as a good complement to standard textbooks of quantum mechanics since it contains many carefully produced pictures to illustrate the fundamental concepts and ideas from quantum physics––highlighting in particular how the concepts and predictions of classical mechanics are altered and supplemented by wavelike behaviors.” (Gabriel Stoltz, Mathematical Reviews, May, 2013)

Authors and Affiliations

  • FB 7 Physik, Universität Siegen, Siegen, Germany

    Siegmund Brandt

  • University of Siegen, Siegen, Germany

    Hans Dieter Dahmen

About the authors

Siegmund Brandt is Emeritus Professor of Physics at the University of Siegen, Germany. 
Dr. Hans Dieter Dahmen is Professor Emeritus of Theoretical Physics at the University of Siegen, Germany.

Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 44.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 59.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 59.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access