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  • © 2018

Quantum Mechanics for Pedestrians 2

Applications and Extensions

Authors:

  • Written by an experienced lecturer with a sound understanding of quantum mechanics, and a gift for explaining it
  • Combines standard topics with new findings and developments, such as quantum information and neutrino oscillation
  • Discusses more advanced topics in the appendix, and includes many exercises with solutions
  • Will also be of interest to readers not specialized in theoretical physics, e.g. teachers and other physical scientists

Part of the book series: Undergraduate Lecture Notes in Physics (ULNP)

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Table of contents (14 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xxiii
  2. Applications and Extensions

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1
    2. Angular Momentum

      • Jochen Pade
      Pages 29-42
    3. The Hydrogen Atom

      • Jochen Pade
      Pages 43-54
    4. The Harmonic Oscillator

      • Jochen Pade
      Pages 55-64
    5. Perturbation Theory

      • Jochen Pade
      Pages 65-77
    6. Entanglement, EPR, Bell

      • Jochen Pade
      Pages 79-98
    7. Symmetries and Conservation Laws

      • Jochen Pade
      Pages 99-115
    8. The Density Operator

      • Jochen Pade
      Pages 117-130
    9. Identical Particles

      • Jochen Pade
      Pages 131-148
    10. Decoherence

      • Jochen Pade
      Pages 149-167
    11. Scattering

      • Jochen Pade
      Pages 169-181
    12. Quantum Information

      • Jochen Pade
      Pages 183-202
    13. Is Quantum Mechanics Complete?

      • Jochen Pade
      Pages 203-217
    14. Interpretations of Quantum Mechanics

      • Jochen Pade
      Pages 219-233
  3. Back Matter

    Pages 235-586

About this book

This book, the second in a two-volume set, provides an introduction to the basics of (mainly) non-relativistic quantum mechanics. While the first volume addresses the basic principles, this second volume discusses applications and extensions to more complex problems. In addition to topics dealt with in traditional quantum mechanics texts, such as symmetries or many-body problems, it also treats issues of current interest such as entanglement, Bell’s inequality, decoherence and various aspects of quantum information in detail. Furthermore, questions concerning the basis of quantum mechanics and epistemological issues which are relevant e.g. to the realism debate are discussed explicitly. A chapter on the interpretations of quantum mechanics rounds out the book.

Readers are introduced to the requisite mathematical tools step by step. In the appendix, the most relevant mathematics is compiled in compact form, and more advanced topics such as the Lenz vector, Hardy’s experiment and Shor’s algorithm are treated in more detail. As an essential aid to learning and teaching, 130 exercises are included, most of them with solutions.

This revised second edition is expanded by an introduction into some ideas and problems of relativistic quantum mechanics. In this second volume, an overview of quantum field theory is given and basic conceptions of quantum electrodynamics are treated in some detail.

Originally written as a course for students of science education, the book addresses all those science students and others who are looking for a reasonably simple, fresh and modern introduction to the field.

Reviews

“This book continues the excellent introduction to quantum mechanics of the first volume ... suited for beginners to get first insights which may be deepened reading the appendices. The two volumes can be best recommended generally and especially for self studies.” (K.-E. Hellwig, zbMATH 1445.81002, 2020)

Authors and Affiliations

  • Institut für Physik, Universität Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany

    Jochen Pade

About the author

Jochen Pade studied Physics in Freiburg, Germany, where he received his PhD in Theoretical Physics in 1978. Since 1980, he has been a lecturer at the Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, Germany. His main research interests are in theoretical physics, the didactics and popularization of science.

Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 69.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access