Overview
- Provides a consistent treatment of certain quantization problems in quantum mechanics with several examples
- Covers necessary mathematical background
- Clear organization
- Ends with a interesting discussion related to similar quantum field theory problems
Part of the book series: Progress in Mathematical Physics (PMP, volume 62)
Access this book
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Other ways to access
Table of contents (10 chapters)
-
Front Matter
-
Back Matter
About this book
Quantization of physical systems requires a correct definition of quantum-mechanical observables, such as the Hamiltonian, momentum, etc., as self-adjoint operators in appropriate Hilbert spaces and their spectral analysis. Though a “naïve” treatment exists for dealing with such problems, it is based on finite-dimensional algebra or even infinite-dimensional algebra with bounded operators, resulting in paradoxes and inaccuracies. A proper treatment of these problems requires invoking certain nontrivial notions and theorems from functional analysis concerning the theory of unbounded self-adjoint operators and the theory of self-adjoint extensions of symmetric operators.
Self-adjoint Extensions in Quantum Mechanics begins by considering quantization problems in general, emphasizing the nontriviality of consistent operator construction by presenting paradoxes of the naïve treatment. The necessary mathematical background is then built by developing the theory of self-adjoint extensions. Through examination of various quantum-mechanical systems, the authors show how quantization problems associated with the correct definition of observables and their spectral analysis can be treated consistently for comparatively simple quantum-mechanical systems. Systems that are examined include free particles on an interval, particles in a number of potential fields including delta-like potentials, the one-dimensional Calogero problem, the Aharonov–Bohm problem, and the relativistic Coulomb problem.
This well-organized text is most suitable for graduate students and postgraduates interested in deepening their understanding of mathematical problems in quantum mechanics beyond the scope of those treated in standard textbooks. The book may also serve as a useful resource for mathematicians and researchers in mathematical andtheoretical physics.
Reviews
From the reviews:
“In an infinite-dimensional Hilbert space a symmetric, unbounded operator is not necessarily self-adjoint. … The monograph by Gitman, Tyutin and Voronov is devoted to this problem. Its aim is to provide students and researchers in mathematical and theoretical physics with mathematical background on the theory of self-adjoint operators.” (Rupert L. Frank, Mathematical Reviews, February, 2013)Authors and Affiliations
Bibliographic Information
Book Title: Self-adjoint Extensions in Quantum Mechanics
Book Subtitle: General Theory and Applications to Schrödinger and Dirac Equations with Singular Potentials
Authors: D.M. Gitman, I.V. Tyutin, B.L. Voronov
Series Title: Progress in Mathematical Physics
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-8176-4662-2
Publisher: Birkhäuser Boston, MA
eBook Packages: Mathematics and Statistics, Mathematics and Statistics (R0)
Copyright Information: Springer Science+Business Media New York 2012
Hardcover ISBN: 978-0-8176-4400-0Published: 27 April 2012
eBook ISBN: 978-0-8176-4662-2Published: 27 April 2012
Series ISSN: 1544-9998
Series E-ISSN: 2197-1846
Edition Number: 1
Number of Pages: XIII, 511
Number of Illustrations: 3 b/w illustrations
Topics: Mathematical Physics, Mathematical Methods in Physics, Operator Theory, Quantum Physics, Applications of Mathematics