Quantum Mechanics


Product Description
The important changes quantum mechanics has undergone in recent years are reflected in this new approach for students. A strong narrative, and over 300 worked problems lead the student from experiment, through general principles of the theory, to modern applications. Stepping through results allows students to gain a thorough understanding. Starting with basic quantum mechanics, the book moves on to more advanced theory, followed by applications, perturbation methods and special fields, and ending with new developments in the field. Historical, mathematical, and philosophical boxes guide the student through the theory. Unique to this textbook are chapters on measurement and quantum optics, both at the forefront of current research. Advanced undergraduate and graduate students will benefit from this new perspective on the fundamental physical paradigm and its applications. Online resources including solutions to selected problems, and 200 figures, with colour versions of some figures, are available at www.cambridge.org/9780521869638.Quantum Mechanics Review
I disagree with the opinion of the reviewer who likened this very fine, up-to-date and scholarly text to a "mediocre Wikipedia article written by students ...". Personally I had been waiting for a book like this, viz. one providing clear and reasonably detailed discussions of conceptually important, recent developments in the field. This book does just that for a wide set of topics, e.g. density matrix, symmetry and conservation, measurement theory (Schr�dinger cats, decoherence, experiments such as delayed choice, interaction free measurement, positive operator valued measure, quantum non-demolition measurement); quantum optics, open systems, state measurement (protective measurement, cloning, measurement and reversibility), entanglement (including, non-separability, entanglement and information, teleportation); and it does so with a minimum of prerequisites given the subject matter.In general I have found the exposition very clear and the pace just right: doesn't skimp on the formal/math part, has sufficient diagrams and examples to go with the discussion. The book is logically organized, moving from a formally sound, reasonably complete exposition of basic elements in Part I, to more advanced topics in Part II (standard topics plus a chapter on "the measurement problem in quantum mechanics" pp. 277-356) and Part III (standard topics plus quantum optics, the latter of which includes some discussion of geometric phase, viz. the fascinating Aharonov-Bohm effect and Casimir effect), then on to Part IV, which deals with open systems (e.g., the master equation), state measurement (including cloning, reversibility, and quantum state reconstruction) and finally, two chapters on entanglement - one chapter on non-separability, EPR, Bohm, Bell, etc, and the other covering the basics of quantum information and computation.
It also includes complete lists of figures, tables, definitions, principles, boxes, symbols and abbreviations; something I find missing in other textbooks but very useful for review. Visually, the book is very nicely produced, important for people like me who are sensitive to such matters.
I also greatly appreciate the substantial, up-to-date bibliography as well as the multitudinous footnotes and cross-references. This has allowed me to access the original literature on a topic and read it in conjunction with the textbook, which I have found very satisfying. The authors are also careful to point out various controversies and fine points of interest to those interested in foundational issues. True, this is a very scholarly work. But what is wrong with that? For me, this is a plus. If you want to just learn the standard QM fare of 50 years ago and not concern yourself with more recent foundational issues, then this book is not for you. But if you are a serious student of foundational issues who wants to learn about recent theoretical and experimental work, then I highly recommend this book to you. I have found it more stimulating overall than older "standard" textbooks.
However, if you are teaching yourself, it is not a good choice for your first book. What would be appropriate would depend, of course, on your math and physics background. But in general, I think that any of the following would be a good choice: Miller's very clear Quantum Mechanics for Scientists and Engineers (Classroom Resource Materials) (cf. my review), Zetilli's somewhat more mathematical / formal Quantum Mechanics: Concepts and Applications, Townsend's much less formal but quite effective A Modern Approach to Quantum Mechanics.
Most of the consumer Reviews tell that the "Quantum Mechanics" are high quality item. You can read each testimony from consumers to find out cons and pros from Quantum Mechanics ...

No comments:
Post a Comment