Quantum physics Books

Book SynopsisA Brief History of Time for the 21st CenturyAt the heart of our galaxy lies a monster so deadly, not even light can escape its grasp. Its secrets lie waiting to be discovered. It's time to explore our universe's most mysterious inhabitantsBlack HolesAt the heart of the Milky Way lies a supermassive black hole 4 million times more massive than our Sun. A place where space and time are so warped that light is trapped if it ventures within 12 million km. According to Einstein, inside lies the end of time. According to 21st-century physics, the reality may be far more bizarre.Black holes lie where the most massive stars used to shine and at the edge of our current understanding. They are naturally occurring objects, the inevitable creations of gravity when too much matter collapses into not enough space. And yet, although the laws of nature predict them, they fail fully to describe them.Black holes are places in space and time where the laws of gravity, quantum physics and thermodynamics collide. Originally thought to be so intellectually troubling that they simply could not exist, it is only in the past few years that we have begun to glimpse a new synthesis; a deep connection between gravity and quantum information theory that describes a holographic universe in which space and time emerge from a network of quantum bits, and wormholes span the void.In this groundbreaking book, Professor Brian Cox and Professor Jeff Forshaw take you to the edge of our understanding of black holes; a scientific journey to the research frontier spanning a century of physics, from Einstein to Hawking and beyond, that ends with the startling conclusion that our world may operate like a giant quantum computer.Trade Review‘An AMAZING thing to read. So SATISFYING, I REALLY RECOMMEND reading this book…FASCINATING’ Jeremy Vine ‘FASCINATING… a MIND BOGGLING new book’ Afternoon Edition with Nihal Arthanayake, BBC Radio ‘There are few better than Cox at turning tricksy, potentially dense subjects into captivating “edutainment” for the masses – be it in BBC documentaries, live shows or books. Not for nothing did Sir David Attenborough once proclaim: “If I had a torch I would hand it to Brian Cox.”’ Guy Kelly, Daily Telegraph ‘A spellbinding cosmic exploration that resists collapsing under the weight of jargon.’ Kirkus Reviews Praise for Professors Brian Cox & Jeff Forshaw ‘They have blazed a clear trail into forbidding territory, from the mathematical structure of space-time all the way to atom bombs, astrophysics and the origin of mass.’ New Scientist 'Inspirational' Buzz Aldrin ‘A scientific match made in heaven’ Observer ‘Cox and Forshaw stand together at the cutting edge of their discipline … Despite their elevated status, both men remain tiggerishly excitable about their subject’ Financial Times ‘Mindblowing’ Sunday Times ‘I can think of no one, Stephen Hawking included, who more perfectly combines authority, knowledge, passion, clarity, and powers of elucidation than Brian Cox.’ Stephen Fry, 2009 ‘Admirably shies away from dumbing down’ Economist ‘They do a great job of bringing a difficult subject to life’ The Times ‘If you're not a physicist (or not yet a physicist) and you want to understand what Einstein and relativity theory are all about, you would do well to read this book. The writing is clear, sparkling in places, and totally without vanity … [A] delightful little book’ Huffington Post ‘Readers will enjoy this engaging, ambitious and creative tour of our quantum universe’ Guardian

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Book SynopsisThere is evidence to suggest that our world and everything in it from snowflakes to maple trees to falling stars and spinning electrons are only ghostly images, projections from a level of reality literally beyond both space and time.'This is the astonishing idea behind the holographic theory of the universe, pioneered by two eminent thinkers: physicist David Bohm, a former protégé of Albert Einstein, and quantum physicist Karl Pribram. The holographic theory of the universe encompasses consciousness and reality as we know them, but can also explain such hitherto unexplained phenomena as telepathy, out-of-body experiences and even miraculous healing.In this remarkable book, Michael Talbot reveals the extraordinary depth and power of the holographic theory of the universe, illustrating how it makes sense of the entire range of experiences within our universe and in other universes beyond our own.Trade Review‘One of the cleverest writers around today…his eclectic mind ranges far into the deepest and often most controversial mysteries of modern science.’ Fred Alan Wolf PhD, author of ‘Taking the Quantum Leap’Table of ContentsPart 1 A remarkable new view of reality: the brain as hologram; the cosmos. Part 2 Mind and body: the holographic model and psychology; I sing the body holographic; a pocketful of miracles; seeing holographically. Part 3 Space and time: time out of mind; travelling in the superhologram; return to the dreamtime.

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Book SynopsisA Brief History of Time for the 21st CenturyAt the heart of our galaxy lies a monster so deadly, not even light can escape its grasp. Its secrets lie waiting to be discovered. It's time to explore our universe's most mysterious inhabitantsBlack HolesAt the heart of the Milky Way lies a supermassive black hole 4 million times more massive than our Sun. A place where space and time are so warped that light is trapped if it ventures within 12 million km. According to Einstein, inside lies the end of time. According to 21st-century physics, the reality may be far more bizarre.Black holes lie where the most massive stars used to shine and at the edge of our current understanding. They are naturally occurring objects, the inevitable creations of gravity when too much matter collapses into not enough space. And yet, although the laws of nature predict them, they fail fully to describe them.Black holes are places in space and time where the laws of gravity, quantum physics and thermodynamics cTrade Review‘An AMAZING thing to read. So SATISFYING, I REALLY RECOMMEND reading this book…FASCINATING’ Jeremy Vine ‘FASCINATING… a MIND BOGGLING new book’ Afternoon Edition with Nihal Arthanayake, BBC Radio ‘There are few better than Cox at turning tricksy, potentially dense subjects into captivating “edutainment” for the masses – be it in BBC documentaries, live shows or books. Not for nothing did Sir David Attenborough once proclaim: “If I had a torch I would hand it to Brian Cox.”’ Guy Kelly, Daily Telegraph ‘A spellbinding cosmic exploration that resists collapsing under the weight of jargon.’ Kirkus Reviews Praise for Professors Brian Cox & Jeff Forshaw ‘They have blazed a clear trail into forbidding territory, from the mathematical structure of space-time all the way to atom bombs, astrophysics and the origin of mass.’ New Scientist 'Inspirational' Buzz Aldrin ‘A scientific match made in heaven’ Observer ‘Cox and Forshaw stand together at the cutting edge of their discipline … Despite their elevated status, both men remain tiggerishly excitable about their subject’ Financial Times ‘Mindblowing’ Sunday Times ‘I can think of no one, Stephen Hawking included, who more perfectly combines authority, knowledge, passion, clarity, and powers of elucidation than Brian Cox.’ Stephen Fry, 2009 ‘Admirably shies away from dumbing down’ Economist ‘They do a great job of bringing a difficult subject to life’ The Times ‘If you're not a physicist (or not yet a physicist) and you want to understand what Einstein and relativity theory are all about, you would do well to read this book. The writing is clear, sparkling in places, and totally without vanity … [A] delightful little book’ Huffington Post ‘Readers will enjoy this engaging, ambitious and creative tour of our quantum universe’ Guardian

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Book SynopsisQuantum physics is not mystifying. The implications are mind-bending, and not yet fully understood, but this revolutionary theory is truly illuminating. It stands as the best explanation of the fundamental nature of our world. ‘An authoritative and beautifully written account of the quest to understand quantum theory and the origin of space and time.’ Professor Brian Cox Spanning the history of quantum discoveries, from Einstein and Bohr to the present day, Something Deeply Hidden is the essential guide to the most intriguing subject in science. Acclaimed physicist and writer Sean Carroll debunks the myths, resurrects and reinstates the Many-Worlds interpretation, and presents a new path towards solving the apparent conflict between quantum mechanics and Einstein’s theory of general relativity. In doing so, he fills a gap in the science that has existed for almost a century. A magisterial tour, Something Deeply Hidden encompasses the cosmological and everyday implications of quantum reality and multiple universes. And – finally – it all makes sense. ***** 'Carroll takes us by the hand and with a benign smile and a chatty style, leads us to a place where… at every instant an almost infinite number of copies of you are splitting off to live alternative lives… a wild conceptual ride.' The Sunday Times, BOOKS OF THE YEAR 'Like all great writers, Carroll has the remarkable ability of putting the reader utterly at ease with his lucid and addictive prose. He leads you so gently and comfortably into his quantum world that you quickly forget you are being given access to the most profound ideas about the nature of reality.' Jim Al-Khalili 'Sean Carroll’s immensely enjoyable Something Deeply Hidden brings readers face-to-face with the fundamental quantum weirdness of the universe – or should I say universes? And by the end, you may catch yourself finding quantum weirdness not all that weird.' Jordan EllenbergTrade Review‘Carroll takes us by the hand and with a benign smile and a chatty style, leads us to a place where…at every instant an almost infinite number of copies of you are splitting off to live alternative lives… a wild conceptual ride.’ -- Sunday Times, BOOKS OF THE YEAR‘Tackling huge questions, myths and conundrums about our Universe is no easy task, but Carroll does so elegantly.’ -- BBC Science Focus'An authoritative and beautifully written account of the quest to understand quantum theory and the origin of space and time. Sean Carroll is a rare combination of excellent science writer and excellent research scientist. His writing exhibits a clarity of thought that is only available through a deep understanding of the subject. When the book becomes speculative, as it must because it deals with deep and as yet unsolved questions, we know we are in good hands.' * Brian Cox - Broadcaster and Professor of Particle Physics at the University of Manchester *'Something Deeply Hidden is Carroll’s ambitious and engaging foray into what quantum mechanics really means and what it tells us about physical reality.' -- Science Magazine'As a smart and intensely readable undergraduate class in the history of quantum theory and the nature of quantum mechanics, Something Deeply Hidden could scarcely be improved.' -- Open Letters Monthly * Steve Donoghue *'Readers in this universe (and others?) will relish the opportunity to explore the frontiers of science in the company of titans.' -- Booklist'Fans of popular science authors such as Neil deGrasse Tyson and John Gribbin will find great joy while exploring these groundbreaking concepts.' -- Library Journal'Solid arguments and engaging historical backdrop will captivate science-minded readers everywhere.' -- Scientific Inquirer'Carroll argues with a healthy restlessness that makes his book more interesting than so many others in the quantum physics genre.' -- Forbes'If you want to know why some people take [the Everett] approach seriously and what you can do with it, then Carroll’s latest is one of the best popular books on the market.' -- Physics Today'Be prepared to deal with some equations — and to have your mind blown.' -- Geek Wire'By far the most articulate and cogent defence of the Many-Worlds view in book-length depth with a close connection to the latest ongoing research.' -- Science News'Enlightening and refreshingly bold.' -- Scientific American'What makes Carroll’s new project so worthwhile, though, is that while he is most certainly choosing sides in the debate, he offers us a cogent, clear and compelling guide to the subject while letting his passion for the scientific questions shine through every page.' -- NPR‘Like all great writers, Carroll has the remarkable ability of putting the reader utterly at ease with his lucid and addictive prose. He leads you so gently and comfortably into his quantum world that you quickly forget you are being given access to the most profound ideas about the nature of reality.’ -- Jim Al-Khalili, author of Quantum Mechanics (A Ladybird Expert Book)‘A thrilling tour through what is perhaps humankind’s greatest intellectual achievement – quantum mechanics. With bold clarity, Carroll deftly unmasks quantum weirdness to reveal a strange but utterly wondrous reality.’ -- Brian Greene, author of The Elegant Universe‘Sean Carroll’s immensely enjoyable Something Deeply Hidden brings readers face-to-face with the fundamental quantum weirdness of the universe – or should I say universes? And by the end, you may catch yourself finding quantum weirdness not all that weird.’ -- Jordan Ellenberg, author of How Not to Be Wrong‘Carroll gives us a front-row seat to the development of a new vision of physics: one that connects our everyday experiences to a dizzying hall-of-mirrors universe in which our very sense of self is challenged. It’s a fascinating idea, and one that just might hold clues to a deeper reality.’ -- Katie Mack, theoretical astrophysicist, North Carolina State University, author of The End of Everything (forthcoming)‘Sean Carroll beautifully clarifies the debate about the foundations of quantum mechanics, and champions the most elegant, courageous approach: the astonishing “Many-Worlds” interpretation. His explanations of its pros and cons are clear, even-handed, and philosophically gobsmacking.’ -- Steven Strogatz, author of Infinite Powers‘[A] challenging, provocative book…moving smoothly through different topics and from objects as small as particles to those as enormous as black holes, Carroll’s exploration of quantum theory introduces readers to some of the most groundbreaking ideas in physics today.’ * Publishers Weekly *‘Sean Carroll is always lucid and funny, gratifyingly readable, while still excavating depths… A fascinating and important book.’ -- Janna Levin, author of Black Hole Blues‘Irresistible and an absolute treat to read. While this is a book about some of the deepest current mysteries in physics, it is also a book about metaphysics as Carroll lucidly guides us on how to not only think about the true and hidden nature of reality but also how to make sense of it. I loved this book.’ -- Priyamvada Natarajan, theoretical astrophysicist, Yale University, and author of Mapping the Heavens‘A masterpiece…stands along with Feynman’s QED as one of the two best popularizations of quantum mechanics I’ve ever seen.’ -- Scott Aaronson, Professor of Computer Science, University of Texas at Austin, and Director of UT’s Quantum Information Center‘From physicist Sean Carroll comes a history of quantum discoveries, and a guide to a subject that has baffled and blinded with its potential. Tackling huge questions, myths and conundrums about our Universe is no easy task, but Carroll does so elegantly.’ * BBC Science Focus, 70 best science books you need to read in 2021 *

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Book SynopsisPatchen Barss is a Toronto-based science journalist who has contributed to the BBC, Nautilus Magazine, Scientific American, and the Discovery Channel (Canada), as well as to many science and natural history museums. His previous books include The Erotic Engine: How Pornography has Powered Mass Communication, from Gutenberg to Google, and Flow Spin Grow: Looking for Patterns in Nature.

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Book SynopsisProviding a modern introduction to quantum field theory, this comprehensive textbook develops the Standard Model of particle physics and explains state-of-the-art techniques for performing precision theoretical calculations. Intuitive physical discussions of abstract concepts make the subject accessible to students with a variety of backgrounds and interests.Trade Review'This is an excellent graduate-level relativistic quantum field theory text, covering an impressive amount of material often with a very novel presentation. It would be ideal either for courses on relativistic quantum field theory or for courses on the Standard Model of elementary particle interactions. The book provides interesting insights and covers many modern topics not usually presented in current texts such as spinor-helicity methods and on-shell recursion relations, heavy quark effective theory and soft-collinear effective field theory. It is nice to see the modern point of view on the predictive power of non-renormalizable theories discussed. Once in a generation particle physicists elevate a quantum field theory text to the rank of classic. Two such classics are the texts by Bjorken and Drell and Peskin and Schroeder; it wouldn't surprise me if this new book by Schwartz joins this illustrious group.' Mark Wise, California Institute of Technology'A wonderful tour of quantum field theory from the modern perspective, filled with insights on both the conceptual underpinnings and the concrete, elegant calculational tools of the subject.' Nima Arkani-Hamed, Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton'Schwartz has produced a new and valuable introduction to quantum field theory. He has rethought the whole presentation of the subject, from the introductory and foundational concepts to new developments such as effective field theory descriptions of quark dynamics. Students will enjoy viewing quantum field theory from his perspective.' Michael E. Peskin, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Stanford University'Schwartz's book grew out of a popular year long course in quantum field theory at Harvard. Designed primarily for graduate students, this course also attracts and inspires a number of undergraduates each year. The book is unique in its combination of breadth, depth and readability. Schwartz starts at the beginning of the subject and brings us right up to the present. That the book is neither superficial nor impossibly dense is rather remarkable and makes it easy to understand the course's success.' Howard Georgi, Harvard University'In this book, Schwartz gives a thoughtful and modern treatment of many classical and contemporary topics. Students and experienced researchers will find much here of value.' Edward Witten, Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton'Every single one of these pages is packed with information. … this book grew out of lectures Schwartz has given to graduate students at Harvard, and it becomes very clear that he is well aware of possible pitfalls and problems of understanding that students may have. … The first part of the book should be accessible for beginning graduate students who have mastered quantum mechanics, special relativity and electrodynamics. The second part of the book will also be useful for advanced students and researchers who want to learn how to perform calculations in the standard model. … Schwartz has done a great job in presenting his view on this complex matter, and I wish this book had already existed when I learned the subject! I recommend it to anyone dedicated to learning quantum field theory and the physics of the standard model.' Thomas Peters, Contemporary PhysicsTable of ContentsPart I. Field Theory: 1. Microscopic theory of radiation; 2. Lorentz invariance and second quantization; 3. Classical Field Theory; 4. Old-fashioned perturbation theory; 5. Cross sections and decay rates; 6. The S-matrix and time-ordered products; 7. Feynman rules; Part II. Quantum Electrodynamics: 8. Spin 1 and gauge invariance; 9. Scalar QED; 10. Spinors; 11. Spinor solutions and CPT; 12. Spin and statistics; 13. Quantum electrodynamics; 14. Path integrals; Part III. Renormalization: 15. The Casimir effect; 16. Vacuum polarization; 17. The anomalous magnetic moment; 18. Mass renormalization; 19. Renormalized perturbation theory; 20. Infrared divergences; 21. Renormalizability; 22. Non-renormalizable theories; 23. The renormalization group; 24. Implications of Unitarity; Part IV. The Standard Model: 25. Yang–Mills theory; 26. Quantum Yang-Mills theory; 27. Gluon scattering and the spinor-helicity formalism; 28. Spontaneous symmetry breaking; 29. Weak interactions; 30. Anomalies; 31. Precision tests of the standard model; 32. QCD and the parton model; Part V. Advanced Topics: 33. Effective actions and Schwinger proper time; 34. Background fields; 35. Heavy-quark physics; 36. Jets and effective field theory; Appendices; References; Index.

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Book SynopsisPart of the best-selling '...for Beginners' series that brings to life the wide world of physics. Rather than explaining details about how to do physics, this book focusses on explaining what different branches of physics are about, how we know about them, and what mysteries remain for budding physicists to uncover. It doesn't shy away from the hard stuff, tackling black holes, quantum mechanics and even Einstein's theories of relativity.Table of ContentsWhat is physics?Asking questions?Physics is everywhereWhat do physicists do?Chapter 1: Forces & motionWhat makes things move, what makes things stop, and why some things move faster and easier than others.Chapter 2: WavesHow sounds travel, how light works, and the mysterious connection between electricity and magnetism.Chapter 3: The speed of light and the shape of the universeAlbert Einstein came up with two of the most significant theories in modern physics: special relativity, which explores the speed of light, and general relativity, which unpacks the shape of the universe. But what actually ARE these theories?Chapter 4: Nuclear and particle physicsIntroducing the very smallest things physicists have discovered, and seeing what happens when they try to break those things apart into even smaller pieces. Chapter 5: Quantum mechanicsThe smallest particles don't seem to follow the same rules as bigger things. So what rules do they follow, and why don't they seem to make sense?Chapter 6: SpaceWhat is out there, beyond the Earth? And where exactly did it all come from?Chapter 7: Unsolved mysteriesThere are plenty of things physicists don't understand about how things work, whether on Earth or out in space. Discover some of the mysteries that YOU might help to solve one day.GlossaryIndexAcknowledgments

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Maudlin's book . . . should have been subtitled ‘Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Quantum Theory (But Were Afraid to Ask)’ . . . its plain presentation style makes it a good introductory book for students and non-specialists. In short, it is highly recommended for anybody interested in quantum theory." * Notre Dame Philosophy Reviews *"The book is a must for the serious reader of both philosophy and Physics."---P. R. S. Carvalho, Zentralblatt MATH

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Book SynopsisThe third edition of this classic quantum mechanics textbook provides a modern, graduate-level introduction to the concepts of quantum mechanics, from the Schrödinger Wave Equation to SO(4) symmetry and its application to solving the hydrogen atom, in one comprehensive and engaging volume.Trade Review'A truly wonderful introduction to quantum mechanics. Sakurai's original text was elegant, simple, and full of insight. It taught me much as a graduate student. Napolitano's update adds context with applications from today's research, explained simply and beautifully. The problems are exceptionally well chosen. This book can be used for graduate quantum courses from one quarter to a year in length, in physics, materials science, or even physical chemistry.' Kieron Burke, University of California-Irvine'I have enjoyed teaching graduate quantum mechanics from J. J. Sakurai's book since its first publication in 1985, specially the first four chapters Sakurai completed before his untimely departure. As co-author, Jim Napolitano has reorganized and expanded the book, incorporating new topics of current interest, while keeping Sakurai's pedagogical vision. The product is quite appealing, impressive, and befits a 21st-century perspective.' Michael El-Batanouny, Boston University'Years ago, upon reading J. J. Sakurai's Modern Quantum Mechanics, I was immediately inspired to write my own textbook – one that takes a similar approach to Sakurai's graduate-level book, but for undergraduates. I am delighted that Jim Napolitano has successfully taken on the challenge of bringing Sakurai's textbook up to date, in keeping with the book's title.' John S. Townsend, Harvey Mudd College'This textbook does an excellent job of bridging the fundamentals of quantum mechanics and topics at the frontier of modern physics. It is comprehensive, authoritative, and rich in pedagogical innovations. New materials included in the current version make this textbook especially suitable for students who wish to engage in cutting-edge experimental and theoretical research.' Jinjun Liu, University of Louisville'Napolitano has modernized Sakurai's classic textbook with more applications, such as, K-G field and spontaneous emission. These expansions highlight the important advance in modern physics, while two main features of this classical book are well kept, including a logical and accessible approach to the field, and a concise and consistent Dirac notation throughout the book.' Xiaoyan Shi, University of Texas, Dallas'The strength of this fine text is its unified point of view: quantum mechanics is about operations on state vectors, described using the bra and ket notation. This approach is rather abstract, but once a student grasps the central ideas, it is simple and powerful.' Davison Soper, University of Oregon'Sakurai's text provides an understanding of quantum mechanics firmly founded on Dirac formalism and linear algebra. It has deservedly become a classic introductory graduate text, one that helps the student start to think as a practitioner. In the new editions, Napolitano has pedagogically filled in gaps in the exposition and topical coverage, while maintaining the crisp and insightful presentation of the original.' Mark Caprio, University of Notre Dame'Theoretical particle physics students may find this book well oriented to their needs … this book can be well recommended as an intermediate text … It is a worthy memorial to a much-appreciated scientist.' Peter J. Bussey, Contemporary PhysicsTable of Contents1. Fundamental concepts; 2. Quantum dynamics; 3. Theory of angular momentum; 4. Symmetry in quantum mechanics; 5. Approximation methods; 6. Scattering theory; 7. Identical particles; 8. Relativistic quantum mechanics; Appendix A. Electromagnetic units; Appendix B. Elementary solutions to Schrödinger's wave equation; Appendix C. Hamiltonian for a charge in an electromagnetic field; Appendix D. Proof of the angular-momentum addition rule (3.8.38); Appendix E. Finding Clebsch–Gordan coefficients; Appendix F. Notes on complex variables.

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Book Synopsis''A monumental achievement - one of the great scientific biographies.'' Michael FraynThe Strangest Man is the Costa Biography Award-winning account of Paul Dirac, the famous physicist sometimes called the British Einstein. He was one of the leading pioneers of the greatest revolution in twentieth-century science: quantum mechanics. The youngest theoretician ever to win the Nobel Prize for Physics, he was also pathologically reticent, strangely literal-minded and legendarily unable to communicate or empathize. Through his greatest period of productivity, his postcards home contained only remarks about the weather.Based on a previously undiscovered archive of family papers, Graham Farmelo celebrates Dirac''s massive scientific achievement while drawing a compassionate portrait of his life and work. Farmelo shows a man who, while hopelessly socially inept, could manage to love and sustain close friendship.The Strangest Man is an extraordinary and moving human story, as well as a study of one of the most exciting times in scientific history.''A wonderful book . . . Moving, sometimes comic, sometimes infinitely sad, and goes to the roots of what we mean by truth in science.'' Lord Waldegrave, Daily Telegraph

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Book SynopsisJourney through the world of abstract mathematics into category theory with popular science author Eugenia Cheng. Featuring humanizing examples and demystification of mathematical thought processes, this book is for fans of How to Bake Pi who want to dig deeper into mathematical concepts and build their mathematical background.Trade Review'This book is an educational tour de force that presents mathematical thinking as a right-brained activity. Most 'left brain/right brain' education-talk is at best a crude metaphor; but by putting the main focus on the process of (mathematical) abstraction, Eugenia Cheng supplies the reader (whatever their 'brain-type') with the mental tools to make that distinction precise and potentially useful. The book takes the reader along in small steps; but make no mistake, this is a major intellectual journey. Starting not with numbers, but everyday experiences, it develops what is regarded as a very advanced branch of abstract mathematics (category theory, though Cheng really uses this as a proxy for mathematical thinking generally). This is not watered-down math; it's the real thing. And it challenges the reader to think-deeply at times. We 'left-brainers' can learn plenty from it too.' Keith Devlin, Stanford University (Emeritus), author of The Joy of Sets'Eugenia Cheng loves mathematics—not the ordinary sort that most people encounter, but the most abstract sort that she calls 'the mathematics of mathematics.' And in this lovely excursion through her abstract world of Category Theory, she aims to give those who are willing to join her a glimpse of that world. The journey will change how they view mathematics. Cheng is a brilliant writer, with prose that feels like poetry. Her contagious enthusiasm makes her the perfect guide.' John Ewing, President, Math for America'Eugenia Cheng's singular contribution is in making abstract mathematics relevant to all through her great ingenuity in developing novel connections between logic and life. Her latest book, The Joy of Abstraction, provides a long awaited fully rigorous yet gentle introduction to the 'mathematics of mathematics,' allowing anyone to experience the joy of learning to think categorically.' Emily Riehl, Johns Hopkins University, author of Category Theory in Context'Archimedes is quoted as having said once: 'Mathematics reveals its secrets only to those who approach it with pure love, for its own beauty.' In this fascinating book, Eugenia Cheng approaches the abstract mathematical area of Category Theory with pure love, to reveal its beauty to anybody interested in learning something about contemporary mathematics.' Mario Livio, astrophysicist, author of The Golden Ratio and Brilliant Blunders'Eugenia Cheng's latest book will appeal to a remarkably broad and diverse audience, from non-mathematicians who would like to get a sense of what mathematics is really about, to experienced mathematicians who are not category theorists but would like a basic understanding of category theory. Speaking as one of the latter, I found it a real pleasure to be able to read the book without constantly having to stop and puzzle over the details. I have learnt a lot from it already, including what the famous Yoneda lemma is all about, and I look forward to learning more from it in the future.' Sir Timothy Gowers, Collège de France, Fields Medalist, main editor of The Princeton Companion to Mathematics'At last: a book that makes category theory as simple as it really is. Cheng explains the subject in a clear and friendly way, in detail, not relying on material that only mathematics majors learn. Category theory – indeed, mathematics as a whole – has been waiting for a book like this.' John Baez, University of California, Riverside'Many people speak derisively of category theory as the most abstract area of mathematics, but Eugenia Cheng succeeds in redeeming the word 'abstract'. This book is loquacious, conversational, and inviting. Reading this book convinced me I could teach category theory as an introductory course, and that is a real marvel, since it is a subject most people leave for experts.' Francis Su, Harvey Mudd College, author of Mathematics for Human Flourishing'Finally, a book about category theory that doesn't assume you already know category theory! In this inviting but rigorous introduction to what she calls 'the mathematics of mathematics', Eugenia Cheng brings the subject to us with insight, wit, and a point of view. Her story of finding joy-and advantage-in abstraction will inspire you to find it, too.' Patrick Honner, award-winning high school math teacher, columnist for Quanta Magazine, author of Painless Statistics'This higher category theory is the mathematics of the twenty-first century (at least my corner of it). If you'd like a taste of it, I recommend Dr. Cheng's book. The first half is an accessible and thought-provoking insight into categorical thinking. The second half climbs into the rarified air of theoretic math, but it is worth a read to get a feel for what some parts of modern mathematics look like.' Jonathan Kujawa, 3 Quarks Daily'… a successful addition to the literature that I am sure students will use in the future and I would be happy to recommend.' Constanze Roitzheim, Mathematische SemesterberichteTable of ContentsPrologue; Part I. Building Up to Categories: 1. Categories: the idea; 2. Abstraction; 3. Patterns; 4. Context; 5. Relationships; 6. Formalism; 7. Equivalence relations; 8. Categories: the definition; Interlude: A Tour of Math: 9. Examples we've already seen, secretly; 10. Ordered sets; 11. Small mathematical structures; 12. Sets and functions; 13. Large worlds of mathematical structures; Part II. Doing Category Theory: 14. Isomorphisms; 15. Monics and epics; 16. Universal properties; 17. Duality; 18. Products and coproducts; 19. Pullbacks and pushouts; 20. Functors; 21. Categories of categories; 22. Natural transformations; 23. Yoneda; 24. Higher dimensions; 25. Epilogue: thinking categorically; Appendices: A. Background on alphabets; B. Background on basic logic; C. Background on set theory; D. Background on topological spaces; Glossary; Further reading; Acknowledgements; Index.

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Book SynopsisChanges and additions to the new edition of this classic textbook include a new chapter on symmetries, new problems and examples, improved explanations, more numerical problems to be worked on a computer, new applications to solid state physics, and consolidated treatment of time-dependent potentials.Table of ContentsPart I. Theory: 1. The wave function; 2. Time-independent Schrodinger equation; 3. Formalism; 4. Quantum mechanics in three dimensions; 5. Identical particles; 6. Symmetry; Part II. Application: 7. Time-independent perturbation theory; 8. The variational principle; 9. The WKB approximation; 10. Scattering; 11. Quantum dynamics; 12. Afterword; Appendix A. Linear algebra; Index.

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Book SynopsisUsing an innovative approach that students find both accessible and exciting, A Modern Approach to Quantum Mechanics, Second Edition lays out the foundations of quantum mechanics through the physics of intrinsic spin. Written to serve as the primary textbook for an upper-division course in quantum mechanics, Townsend's text gives professors and students a refreshing alternative to the old style of teaching, by allowing the basic physics of spin systems to drive the introduction of concepts such as Dirac notation, operators, eigenstates and eigenvalues, time evolution in quantum mechanics, and entanglement. Chapters 6 through 10 cover the more traditional subjects in wave mechanics – the Schrödinger equation in position space, the harmonic oscillator, orbital angular momentum, and central potentials – but they are motivated by the foundations developed in the earlier chapters. Students using this text will perceive wave mechanics as an important aspect of quantum mechanics, but not necessarily the core of the subject. Subsequent chapters are devoted to perturbation theory, identical particles, scattering, and the interaction of atoms with radiation, and an optional chapter on path integrals is also included. This new edition has been revised throughout to include many more worked examples and end-of-chapter problems, further enabling students to gain a complete mastery of quantum mechanics. It also includes new sections on quantum teleportation, the density operator, coherent states, and cavity quantum electrodynamics.Trade Review'With this second edition, Townsend has succeeded in making a clear and pedagogical textbook on undergraduate quantum mechanics even better.' - Charles Gale, McGill University, Canada 'The second edition of Townsend's book has added some very nice new features. New sections on contemporary topics and newly added worked examples have further increased my satisfaction with the book.' - Randall Feenstra, Carnegie Mellon University, USATable of ContentsCHAPTER 1 Stern–Gerlach Experiments CHAPTER 2 Rotation of Basis States and Matrix Mechanics CHAPTER 3 Angular Momentum CHAPTER 4 Time Evolution CHAPTER 5 A System of Two Spin-1/2 Particles CHAPTER 6 Wave Mechanics in One Dimension CHAPTER 7 The One-Dimensional Harmonic Oscillator CHAPTER 8 Path Integrals CHAPTER 9 Translational and Rotational Symmetry in the Two-Body Problem CHAPTER 10 Bound States of Central Potentials CHAPTER 11 Time-Independent Perturbations CHAPTER 12 Identical Particles CHAPTER 13 Scattering CHAPTER 14 Photons and Atoms Appendix A Electromagnetic Units Appendix B The Addition of Angular Momenta Appendix C Dirac Delta Functions Appendix D Gaussian Integrals Appendix E The Lagrangian for a Charge q in a Magnetic Field Appendix F Values of Physical Constants Appendix G Answers to Selected Problems Index

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Book SynopsisFrom Schrodinger's cat to Heisenberg's uncertainty principle, this book untangles the weirdness of the quantum world.Quantum mechanics underpins modern science and provides us with a blueprint for reality itself. And yet it has been said that if you're not shocked by it, you don't understand it. But is quantum physics really so unknowable? Is reality really so strange? And just how can cats be half-alive and half-dead at the same time?Our journey into the quantum begins with nature's own conjuring trick, in which we discover that atoms -- contrary to the rules of everyday experience -- can exist in two locations at once. To understand this we travel back to the dawn of the twentieth century and witness the birth of quantum theory, which over the next one hundred years was to overthrow so many of our deeply held notions about the nature of our universe. Scientists and philosophers have been left grappling with its implications every since.Trade ReviewAl-Khalili succeeds in making the quantum world understandable. Well, almost. * THE GUARDIAN *

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Book Synopsis'Luminous and straightforward.' Carlo Rovelli

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Book Synopsis

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Book SynopsisBrilliant and fascinating. No one is better at making the recondite accessible and exciting' Bill BrysonBritain's most famous mathematician takes us to the edge of knowledge to show us what we cannot know.Is the universe infinite?Do we know what happened before the Big Bang?Where is human consciousness located in the brain?And are there more undiscovered particles out there, beyond the Higgs boson?In the modern world, science is king: weekly headlines proclaim the latest scientific breakthroughs and numerous mathematical problems, once indecipherable, have now been solved. But are there limits to what we can discover about our physical universe?In this very personal journey to the edges of knowledge, Marcus du Sautoy investigates how leading experts in fields from quantum physics and cosmology, to sensory perception and neuroscience, have articulated the current lie of the land. In doing so, he travels to the very boundaries of understanding, questioning contradictory stories and consuTrade Review‘I felt I was being carried off on a wonderful journey, a thrilling research expedition to the teasing and mysterious boundaries of scientific knowledge, and I never wanted to turn back. Du Sautoy is a masterful and friendly guide to these remotest regions … It is absolutely fascinating throughout, and I really loved it’ Richard Holmes ‘I admire and envy the clarity and authority with which Marcus du Sautoy addresses a range of profound issues. His book deserves a wide readership’ Martin Rees, Astronomer Royal ‘I felt I was being carried off on a wonderful journey, a thrilling research expedition to the teasing and mysterious boundaries of scientific knowledge, and I never wanted to turn back. Du Sautoy is a masterful and friendly guide to these remotest regions … It is absolutely fascinating throughout, and I really loved it’ Richard Holmes ‘I admire and envy the clarity and authority with which Marcus du Sautoy addresses a range of profound issues. His book deserves a wide readership’ Martin Rees, Astronomer Royal ‘Du Sautoy makes a lucid and beguiling companion as he guides us along the byways of contemporary science’ Jonathan Ree, Guardian

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Book SynopsisFrank Verstraete is the Leigh Trapnell Professor of Quantum Physics at the University of Cambridge. He has received several prestigious prizes for his research, including the Lieben Prize (also known as the Nobel Prize of Austria') and the Francqui Prize. He is among the leading researchers in the world on quantum physics.Céline Broeckaert is a Romance languages scholar, playwright and author. She co-founded Filmpact, the first impact organization in Belgium, which uses documentary film as a tool for social change and ecological awareness.

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Book Synopsis''Quantum mechanics for real. This is the good stuff, the most mysterious aspects of how reality works, set out with crystalline clarity. The place to start'' Sean Carroll, physicist, California Institute of Technology, author of The Particle at the End of the UniverseThis is the ultimate practical introduction to quantum mechanics. World-renowned physicist Leonard Susskind and data engineer Art Friedman give you the basic skills you need to tackle this famously difficult topic yourself.They provide clear, lively explanations of basic concepts, introduce the key fields of quantum mechanics and include step-by-step exercises. Making a complex subject ''as simple as possible, but no simpler'', this is a practical toolkit for amateur scientists that you won''t find anywhere else.Trade ReviewThe writing is fresh and immediate, crisp and satisfying .... A persuasive overview * Nature *

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Book SynopsisQuantum Physics is the study of the behaviour of matter and energy at the molecular, atomic, nuclear and even smaller microscopic levels. Like the other titles in our For Dummies Workbook series, this book allows you to hone your skills at solving the difficult and often confusing equations you encounter in this subject.Table of ContentsIntroduction. Part I: Getting Started with Quantum Physics. Chapter 1: The Basics of Quantum Physics: Introducing State Vectors. Chapter 2: No Handcuffs Involved: Bound States in Energy Wells. Chapter 3: Over and Over with Harmonic Oscillators. Part II: Round and Round with Angular Momentum and Spin. Chapter 4: Handling Angular Momentum in Quantum Physics. Chapter 5: Spin Makes the Particle Go Round. Part III: Quantum Physics in Three Dimensions. Chapter 6: Solving Problems in Three Dimensions: Cartesian Coordinates. Chapter 7: Going Circular in Three Dimensions: Spherical Coordinates. Chapter 8: Getting to Know Hydrogen Atoms. Chapter 9: Corralling Many Particles Together. Part IV: Acting on Impulse — Impacts in Quantum Physics. Chapter 10: Pushing with Perturbation Theory. Chapter 11: One Hits the Other: Scattering Theory. Part V: The Part of Tens. Chapter 12: Ten Tips to Make Solving Quantum Physics Problems Easier. Chapter 13: Ten Famous Solved Quantum Physics Problems. Chapter 14: Ten Ways to Avoid Common Errors When Solving Problems. Index.

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Book SynopsisA prismatic look at the meeting of Marie Curie and Albert Einstein and the impact these two pillars of science had on the world of physics, which was in turmoil. In 1911, some of the greatest minds in science convened at the First Solvay Conference in Physics. Almost half of the attendees had won or would go on to win the Nobel Prize. Over the course of those few days, these minds began to realise that classical physics was about to give way to quantum theory, a seismic shift in our history and how we understand not just our world, but the universe. At the centre of this meeting were Marie Curie and a young Albert Einstein. In the years preceding, Curie had faced the death of her husband. She was on the cusp of being awarded her second Nobel Prize, but scandal erupted all around her when the French press revealed that she was having an affair with a fellow scientist, Paul Langevin. The subject of vicious misogynist and xenophobic attacks in the French press, Curie found herself in a storm that threatened her scientific legacy.Albert Einstein proved a supporter in her travails. He was young and already showing flourishes of his enormous genius. Curie had been responsible for one of the greatest discoveries in modern science. Utilising never before seen correspondence and notes, Jeffrey Orens reveals the human side of these brilliant scientists, one who pushed boundaries and demanded equality in a man’s world, no matter the cost, and the other, who was destined to become synonymous with genius.

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Book SynopsisThe ultimate non-technical guide to the fast-developing world of quantum computing Computer technology has improved exponentially over the last 50 years. But the headroom for bigger and better electronic solutions is running out. Our best hope is to engage the power of quantum physics. 'Quantum algorithms' had already been written long before hardware was built. These would enable, for example, a quantum computer to exponentially speed up an information search, or to crack the mathematical trick behind internet security. However, making a quantum computer is incredibly difficult. Despite hundreds of laboratories around the world working on them, we are only just seeing them come close to 'supremacy' where they can outperform a traditional computer. In this approachable introduction, Brian Clegg explains algorithms and their quantum counterparts, explores the physical building blocks and quantum weirdness necessary to make a quantum computer, and uncovers the capabilities of the current generation of machines.Trade ReviewEssential reading for anyone concerned about cyber attacks, specifically ransomware, or simply interested in the next evolution of computing. The big question - what is a Quantum Machine - is answered perfectly. ... [E]xcellently profiles the different quantum approaches ... and readers are made aware of the extreme potential of the Qubit Revolution to support the next evolution of humanity and civilisation. -- Nick Ayton * Irish Tech News *

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Book SynopsisFrom the dawn of history, a universal wisdom tradition has existed that explains humanity’s purpose in the cosmos and our relationship to the Master Source Consciousness. This mystical philosophy was harnessed by the ancient seers known as Gnostics, who were in direct contact with Source Consciousness. As Peter Canova reveals, not only do the ancient teachings of Gnosticism contain important spiritual truths, but they profoundly align with the modern sciences of quantum physics and psychology. They can also provide us with a transformative path to higher consciousness and practical tools to create your own reality. Merging modern science and ancient wisdom, Canova explores the perennial principles of Gnosticism and shows how they describe major theories of quantum physics, such as the Big Bang, parallel universes, the Holographic Universe theory, and Einstein’s Relativity. He recounts the Gnostic story of Sophia from a scientific standpoint, showing how it describes the fall of spiritual consciousness into material existence. He also provides in-depth evidence that Jesus taught a hidden, mystical Gnostic initiation rite. Explaining how the Master Consciousness created and shaped all life, including humans, the author reveals how Source gave us a critical role to fulfill in the cosmos, including the ability of our thoughts to affect the material world. He describes Carl Jung’s role in the spiritualization of psychology and how this can be used by the modern spiritual seeker to pursue a path of enlightenment and personal fulfillment. Ultimately showing how enlightenment is a process wherein outer manifestations arise from inner experience--including synchronicity and dreams--the author reveals how each of us can harness the power of quantum spirituality to transform our world on both an individual and collective level.Trade Review“Quantum Spirituality stirs me in a special way. I love Peter’s concepts relating to the mysterious and mystical aspects of life. It resonates with my own experience. It is a pleasure for me to see the remarkably incisive knowledge that Peter has crystallized in Quantum Spirituality to help us see and accept the true underlying nature of life. Please read it, and let it become a part of your life experience too.” * Bernie Siegel, M.D., author of No Endings, Only Beginnings and Three Men, Six Lives *“Quantum Spirituality is the most complete merger of science and ancient wisdom I have ever encountered. The result is the stuff of dreams, a magical story of the origins of humanity and our place in Creation. It reads like a visitor’s guide to the Matrix, covering all angles--the spiritual, the scientific, and the psychological.” * Betsy Chasse, co-creator of the film What the Bleep Do We Know!? *“Peter Canova’s book Quantum Spirituality is not just another take on the supremacy of consciousness. Solidly anchored in Gnostic Christianity, Jungian psychology, and cutting-edge science, it is a worthy addition to the rapidly growing body of literature that is reintroducing contemporary culture to the Perennial Philosophy, couching it in modern language and thought patterns. This is an important book that, although thoroughly accessible, needs to be read slowly and carefully digested. It deals with nothing less than the very explanation and meaning of life in our perception realm.” * Jim Willis, author of The Quantum Akashic Field *“Quantum Spirituality is a riveting, epic saga. It is a grand tale of our creation told in a mythic, spiritual, and scientific story that enlightens the reader about the mysteries of human existence. Its pages are rich with startling information that exposes the illusions of commonly accepted reality. The author merges spiritual insights derived from ancient mystics with modern quantum theory to create highly plausible concepts that ring true to every mindset, from the spiritually inclined to the logically grounded. Quantum Spirituality will provide every reader with life-altering knowledge essential to propel their own soul journey.” * Scott Carlin, former president of HBO Domestic Television Distribution *"This ambitious and fascinating book is a succinct message to us all. Quantum Spirituality outlines a journey critical for our evolution and could accelerate our awakening. Peter Canova seeks to resolve some of the most rivalrous debates in history: those over the true meaning of human life and spirituality." * James Redfield, author of The Celestine Prophecy *With a special and particular relevance to readers with an interest in Gnosticism, Quantum Theory, New Age Metaphysics, and Unexplained Mysteries, Quantum Spirituality: Science, Gnostic Mysticism, and Connecting with Source Consciousness is an especially informative, insightful, and thought-provoking contribution for personal, professional, community, and academic library collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in these subjects that Quantum Spirituality is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $13.99). * Midwest Book Review *Table of ContentsForeword by James Redfield Introduction Consciousness, Hidden Dimensions, and You 1 Getting StartedEnergy Matters2 My Story I Get a Startling Awakening3 The Materialist Worldview Spiritually Limiting Perspectives4 The Perennial Philosophy A Sacred Ancient Wisdom 5 The Sacred FeminineThe Feminine Principle in Mysticism6 GnosticismA Mystical Tradition Recovered 7 The Great Gnostic Myth of Sophia An Incredible Take on Creation8 The FallHow Spirit Descended 9 The Force of Opposition The Dark Side of Spirit 10 The Truth of the MatterThe First Appearance of Matter11 Jewish MysticismMoses and the Origin of the Kabbalah12 Gnostic Jesus?The Secret Teachings of Jesus 13 A Gnostic Tale Story of an Adept in Ancient Egypt 14 Achieving GnosisThe Adept Initiated 15 What We Lost The Feminine Path of the Gnostics 16 Journey of the Mind VoyagerPsychological Discoveries of Carl Jung 17 From Mind to MatterMatter Formed from the Psychic Dimension18 Quantum Weirdness Bizarre Properties of the Quantum World19 Behold the Quantum Quantum Physics in a Nutshell 20 I Am, Therefore I ThinkConsciousness and Quantum Physics21 IntersectionsA Multidisciplined View of Creation 22 To Be or Not to Be Our Main Thesis23 Through a Glass, Darkly The Illusory Way We Perceive the World24 Worlds of Possibilities Incredible Theories of Quantum Physics 25 Swimming in EnergyThe Hidden Matrix of Creation 26 Consciousness, the Hard Problem How Consciousness Creates Reality 27 Three Thousand Years Late How Mysticism Predicted Quantum Physics 28 Never Mind Understanding Mind Levels29 “What About Me?” Conditioning Yourself for Consciousness 30 Brass Tacks Techniques of Meditation31 Is It Real? Further Evidence 32 In Closing Religion, Materialism, and The Third WayAfterword Notes Index

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Book SynopsisIn this stimulating and timely book, Amit Goswami, PhD, shatters the widely popular belief held by Western science that matter is the primary stuff of creation and proposes instead that consciousness is the true foundation of all we know and perceive.   His explanation of quantum physics for lay readers, called a model of clarity by Kirkus Reviews, sets the stage for a voyage of discovery through the common ground of science and religion, the entwined nature of mind and body, and our interconnectedness with all of creation.

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Book SynopsisFollowing on from the successful first (1984) and revised (1993) editions, this extended and revised text is designed as a short and simple introduction to quantum field theory for final year physics students and for postgraduate students beginning research in theoretical and experimental particle physics. The three main objectives of the book are to: Explain the basic physics and formalism of quantum field theory To make the reader proficient in theory calculations using Feynman diagrams To introduce the reader to gauge theories, which play a central role in elementary particle physics. Thus, the first ten chapters deal with QED in the canonical formalism, and are little changed from the first edition. A brief introduction to gauge theories (Chapter 11) is then followed by two sections, which may be read independently of each other. They cover QCD and related topics (Chapters 12-15) and the unified electroweak theory (Chapters 16 - 19) respectively. Problems are provided at the end of each chapter. New to this edition: Five new chapters, giving an introduction to quantum chromodynamics and the methods used to understand it: in particular, path integrals and the renormalization group. The treatment of electroweak interactions has been revised and updated to take account of more recent experiments.Table of ContentsPreface. Notes. 1 Photons and the Electromagnetic Field. 1.1 Particles and Fields. 1.2 The Electromagnetic Field in the Absence of Charges. 1.3 The Electric Dipole Interaction. 1.4 The Electromagnetic Field in the Presence of Charges. 1.5 Appendix: The Schrödinger, Heisenberg and Interaction Pictures. Problems. 2 Lagrangian Field Theory. 2.1 Relativistic Notation. 2.2 Classical Lagrangian Field Theory. 2.3 Quantized Lagrangian Field Theory. 2.4 Symmetries and Conservation Laws. Problems. 3 The Klein-Gordon field. 3.1 The Real Klein-Gordon Field. 3.2 The Complex Klein-Gordon Field. 3.3 Covariant Commutation Relations. 3.4 The Meson Propagator. Problems. 4 The Dirac Field. 4.1 The Number Representation for Fermions. 4.2 The Dirac Equation. 4.3 Second Quantization. 4.4 The Fermion Propagator. 4.5 The Electromagnetic Interaction and Gauge Invariance. Problems. 5 Photons: Covariant Theory. 5.1 The Classical Fields. 5.2 Covariant Quantization. 5.3 The Photon Propagator. Problems. 6 The S-Matrix Expansion. 6.1 Natural Dimensions and Units. 6.2 The S-Matrix Expansion. 6.3 Wick's Theorem. 7 Feynman Diagrams and Rules in QED. 7.1 Feynman Diagrams in Configuration Space. 7.2 Feynman Diagrams in Momentum Space. 7.3 Feynman Rules for QED. 7.4 Leptons. Problems. 8 QED Processes in Lowest Order. 8.1 The Cross-Section. 8.2 Spin Sums. 8.3 Photon Polarization Sums. 8.4 Lepton Pair Production in (e+e-) Collisions. 8.5 Bhabha Scattering. 8.6 Compton Scattering. 8.7 Scattering by an External Field. 8.8 Bremsstrahlung. 8.9 The Infra-Red Divergence. Problems. 9 Radiative Corrections. 9.1 The Second-Order Radiative Corrections of QED. 9.2 The Photon Self-Energy. 9.3 The Electron Self-Energy. 9.4 External Line Renormalization. 9.5 The Vertex Modification. 9.6 Applications. 9.7 The Infra-Red Divergence. 9.8 Higher-Order Radiative Corrections. 9.9 Renomalizability. Problems. 10 Regularization. 10.1 Mathematical Preliminaries. 10.2 Cut-Off Regularization: The Electron Mass Shift. 10.3 Dimensional Regularization. 10.4 Vacuum Polarization. 10.5 The Anomalous Magnetic Moment. Problems. 11 Gauge Theories. 11.1 The Simplest Gauge Theory: QED. 11.2 Quantum Chromodynamics. 11.3 Alternative Interactions?. 11.4 Appendix: Two Gauge Transformation Results. Problems. 12 Field Theory Methods. 12.1 Green Functions. 12.2 Feynman Diagrams and Feynman Rules. 12.3 Relation to S-Matrix Elements. 12.4 Functionals and Grassmann Fields. 12.5 The Generating Functional. Problems. 13 Path Integrals. 13.1 Functional Integration. 13.2 Path Integrals. 13.3 Perturbation Theory. 13.4 Gauge Independent Quantization?. Problems. 14 Quantum Chromodynamics. 14.1 Gluon Fields. 14.2 Including Quarks. 14.3 Perturbation Theory. 14.4 Feynman Rules for QCD. 14.5 Renormalizability of QCD. Problems. 15 Asymptotic Freedom. 15.1 Electron-Positron Annihilation. 15.2 The Renormalization Scheme. 15.3 The Renormalization Group. 15.4 The Strong Coupling Constant. 15.5 Applications. 15.6 Appendix: Some Loop Diagrams in QCD. Problems. 16 Weak Interactions. 16.1 Introduction. 16.2 Leptonic Weak Interactions. 16.3 The Free Vector Boson Field. 16.4 The Feynman Rules for the IVB Theory. 16.5 Decay Rates. 16.6 Applications of the IVB Theory. 16.7 Neutrino Masses. 16.8 Difficulties with the IVB Theory. Problems. 17 A Gauge Theory of Weak Interactions. 17.1 QED Revisited. 17.2 Global Phase Transformations and Conserved Weak Currents. 17.3 The Gauge-Invariant Electro-Weak Interaction. 17.4 Properties of the Gauge Bosons. 17.5 Lepton and Gauge Boson Masses. 18 Spontaneous Symmetry Breaking. 18.1 The Goldstone Model. 18.2 The Higgs Model. 18.3 The Standard Electro-Weak Theory. 19 The Standard Electroweak Theory. 19.1 The Lagrangian Density in the Unitary Gauge. 19.2 Feynman Rules. 19.3 Elastic Neutrino-Electron Scattering. 19.4 Electron-Positron Annihilation. 19.5 The Higgs Boson. Problems. Appendix A The Dirac Equation. Appendix B Feynman Rules and Formulae for Pertubation Therory. Index.

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Book SynopsisThe international bestseller from the author of Breakfast with Einstein Emmy is no ordinary dog. When adopted from the shelter by physics professor Chad Orzel, she becomes immediately fascinated by his work. Could she use quantum tunnelling to get through the neighbour’s fence? How about diffracting round a tree to chase squirrels? Or using virtual particles to catch bunnies made of cheese? Taking Emmy’s anarchic behaviour as a starting point, Orzel explains the key theories of quantum physics. From quarks and gluons to Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle, this is a uniquely entertaining way to unlock the secrets of the universe.Trade Review‘Elegantly approachable descriptions...with a refreshing emphasis on recent research. Highly satisfying.’ * Guardian *‘Sure to become a classic.’ * physicsworld.com *‘Quantum entanglement, quantum teleportation and virtual particles are all explained with the author’s characteristic lighthearted touch. Readers who've shied away from popular treatments of physics in the past may find his cheerful discussion a real treat.’ * Publishers Weekly *‘It’s hard to imagine a better way to grasp basic quantum physics.’ * Booklist *

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Quantum Field Theory, As Simply As Possible is delivered with humour and erudition by Anthony Zee. What better way to get the little grey cells going than by unifying quantum mechanics and special relativity?" * New Scientist *"Certain to appeal to, instruct, and entertain at many levels"---J. F. Burkhart, Choice

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Book SynopsisA NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER'Hossenfelder stands between us and incomprehension' Daily Mail'Informative and engaging' TLSDo we have free will? Is the universe compatible with God? Do we live in a computer simulation? Does the universe think?Physicists are great at complicated research, but they are less good at telling us why it matters. In this entertaining and groundbreaking book, theoretical physicist Sabine Hossenfelder breaks down why we should care. Drawing on the latest research in quantum mechanics, black holes, string theory and particle physics, Existential Physics explains what modern physics can tell us about the big questions.Filled with counterintuitive insights and including interviews with other leading scientists, this clear and yet profound book will reshape your understanding of science and the limits of what we can know.Trade ReviewHossenfelder may popularise science but she doesn't dumb it down... she stands between us and total incomprehension... That's my kind of science writer * Daily Mail *Hossenfelder is a unique writing talent and a unique science popularizer. You will come away from this book enriched, and will think about the world differently than you did before. * Lawrence Krauss, theoretical physicist and bestselling author *It is hard not to enjoy the bold and easy spirit with which Hossenfelder begins her book... informative and engaging * Times Literary Supplement *[Existential Physics] takes you on a thought provoking, tantalising and illuminating journey. It clearly delineates what physics can tell us about ourselves and the universe we inhabit, and thus what it cannot. * Physics Education *Hossenfelder rightly believes that a better understanding of the limitations of science will benefit society. This comes across loud and clear in her book, which I found fun to read and really made me think about the scientific method and the big questions in life * Physics World *If I had six stars to give this book, I'd do it... Highly recommended' * Popular Science (5* review) *Table of Contents1: DOES THE PAST STILL EXIST? 2: HOW DID THE UNIVERSE BEGIN? HOW WILL IT END? 2.1: IS MATH ALL THERE IS? An Interview with Tim Palmer 3: WHY DOESN'T ANYONE EVER GET YOUNGER? 4: ARE YOU JUST A BAG OF ATOMS? 4.1: IS KNOWLEDGE PREDICTABLE? An Interview with David Deutsch 5: DO COPIES OF US EXIST? 6: HAS PHYSICS RULED OUT FREE WILL? 6.1: IS CONSCIOUSNESS COMPUTABLE? An Interview with Roger Penrose 7: WAS THE UNIVERSE MADE FOR US? 8: DOES THE UNIVERSE THINK? 8.1: CAN WE CREATE A UNIVERSE? An Interview with Zeeya Merali 9: ARE HUMANS PREDICTABLE?

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Book SynopsisTopological Phases of Matter are an exceptionally dynamic field of research: several of the most exciting recent experimental discoveries and conceptual advances in modern physics have originated in this field. These have generated new, topological, notions of order, interactions and excitations. This text provides an accessible, unified and comprehensive introduction to the phenomena surrounding topological matter, with detailed expositions of the underlying theoretical tools and conceptual framework, alongside accounts of the central experimental breakthroughs. Among the systems covered are topological insulators, magnets, semimetals, and superconductors. The emergence of new particles with remarkable properties such as fractional charge and statistics is discussed alongside possible applications such as fault-tolerant topological quantum computing. Suitable as a textbook for graduate or advanced undergraduate students, or as a reference for more experienced researchers, the book assTrade Review'… a timely and valuable introduction to the most important theoretical concepts in the topological study of matter … brief treatment of a vast, rapidly evolving subject that currently dominates condensed matter physics … This book is appropriate for physics collections within all university libraries.' M. C. Ogilvie, Choice ConnectTable of ContentsPreface; Acknowledgements; 1. Introduction; 2. Basic concepts of topology and condensed matter; 3. Integer topological phases; 4. Geometry and topology of wavefunctions in crystals; 5. Hydrogen atoms for fractionalisation; 6. Gauge and topological field theories; 7. Topology in gapless matter; 8. Disorder and defects in topological phases; 9. Topological quantum computation via non-Abelian statistics; 10. Topology out of equilibrium; 11. Symmetry, topology, and information; Appendix; References; Index.

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Book SynopsisTable of ContentsThermal Radiation and Planck's Postulate. Photons--Particlelike Properties of Radiation. De Broglie's Postulate--Wavelike Properties of Particles. Bohr's Model of the Atom. Schroedinger's Theory of Quantum Mechanics. Solutions of Time-Independent Schroedinger Equations. One-Electron Atoms. Magnetic Dipole Moments, Spin, and Transition Rates. Multielectron Atoms--Ground States and X-Ray Excitations. Multielectron Atoms--Optical Excitations. Quantum Statistics. Molecules. Solids--Conductors and Semiconductors. Solids--Superconductors and Magnetic Properties. Nuclear Models. Nuclear Decay and Nuclear Reactions. Introduction to Elementary Particles. More Elementary Particles. Appendixes.

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Book SynopsisQuantum Mechanics for Chemists is designed to provide chemistry undergraduates with a basic understanding of the principles of quantum mechanics. The text assumes some knowledge of chemical bonding and a familiarity with the qualitative aspects of molecular orbitals in molecules such as butadiene and benzene. Thus it is intended to follow a basic course in organic and/or inorganic chemistry. The approach is rather different from that adopted in most books on quantum chemistry in that the Schr÷dinger wave equation is introduced at a fairly late stage, after students have become familiar with the application of de Broglie-type wavefunctions to free particles and particles in a box. Likewise, the Hamiltonian operator and the concept of eigenfunctions and eigenvalues are not introduced until the last two chapters of the book, where approximate solutions to the wave equation for many-electron atoms and molecules are discussed. In this way, students receive a gradual introduction to the basiTrade Review"... an excellent text and is strongly recommended." * Chemistry in Australia, p 33 *"Still wanting to understand quantum mechanics, I searched through several introductory texts on quantum mechanics listed on Amazon's site and finally settled on Quantum Mechanics For Chemists. What a great text for a beginner! If you are familiar with single variable calculus and know what a differential equation is, you can grasp the basics of quantum mechanics by working through this book. Professor Hayward has written a lucid text in clear, expository prose while keeping the mathematics at a comprehensible level." "In conclusion, if you are looking for a brief, well done introduction to Quantum Mechanics then get your hands on a copy of Hayward's book. The material is clearly covered, the illustrations are excellent, and the problems are workable. And the price is right!!! " -- By Mead C. Whorton Jr. * Published on Amazon.com *I will be recommending it to my students if they are looking for a refresher on some of the key concepts in quantum mechanics. Previous student evaluations of my courses have asked for something along these lines, so I’m happy to have found something suitable. Overall I thought the book took a very good route through a complicated subject, and I appreciated how it always focused on a chemical relevance, rather than bogging down in abstract quantum mechanics. -- Grant Hill, University of SheffieldTable of ContentsParticle-Wave Duality; Particle in a One-dimensional Box; Uncertainty Arising from the Wave Nature of Matter; The One-dimensional Schr÷dinger Wave Equation and Some of its Applications; Rotational Motion; The Hydrogen Atom; Further Concepts in Quantum Mechanics and Their Application to Many-electron Atoms; The Structure of Molecules; Answers to problems; Subject Index.

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Book SynopsisThis book reveals glimpses of how the quantum physics of atoms and molecules influences, and even controls, the way our cells function and how we and our fellow animals interact with our environment. Simply put, how birds fly and why grass grows.Certainly, biochemistry and molecular biology are the foundations for the biology of living cells, but there is more—quantum coherence and entanglement influencing the functioning of proteins and enzymes, and strictly speaking, without the quantum phenomena we wouldn’t even be here.In the end, however, this book is based on the solid ground of science, presenting the many fascinating phenomena of how quantum physics makes life possible without any unwarranted mystification.Table of Contents1. Life and Quantum Physics 2. Our World Is Just a Small Part of the Whole 3. The Gecko and Life Upside Down 4. The Quantized World 5. Evolution: About the Origin of Life 6. From the Big Bang to Black Holes 7. As Time Goes By: The Arrow of Time 8. The Art of Finding Your Way Back Home 9. The Vision in New Light 10. Photosynthesis and the Golf Putt 11. The Respiratory Chain Sustains Our Lives 12. A Sense of Smell 13. DNA Repair: A Matter of Survival and Development 14. Quantum Physics in Diagnostics and Therapy 15. Not More Mysterious Than Necessary 16. Consciousness: The Greatest Mystery 17. A Glance at the Future of Quantum and Life

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Book SynopsisRenowned philosopher of science David Z Albert offers an innovative approach to understanding the fundamental physical underpinnings of quantum mechanics. Albert shows how we can discern all the baffling features of quantum theory in a simple picture of the pushings and pullings of concrete and high-dimensional, fundamental physical “stuff.”Trade ReviewThe physical interpretation of quantum mechanics has been a controversial riddle since the 1920s, when Niels Bohr argued that the atom’s inner workings could not be described in physical terms. Today, many philosophers and physicists disagree, but there’s no consensus on an alternative. Philosopher David Albert’s provocative book argues, in three essays, that Bohr’s quantum-measurement problem starts to make sense if the wave function is understood as the fundamental physical ‘stuff’ of the Universe. -- Andrew Robinson * Nature *An enormously significant contribution to the philosophy of physics and to metaphysics more generally. In his usual charming and deceptively easy-to-follow style, Albert proposes a novel account of the relation between the fundamental and the non-fundamental—one of the central issues in metaphysics. This is sure to generate a great deal of discussion in the field. -- Barry Loewer, Distinguished Professor of Philosophy, Rutgers UniversityA must-read for anyone interested in the philosophy of physics or adjacent portions of metaphysics. Wave-function realism’s offensive is advanced, its defenses bolstered, its intuitive core reimagined. Insightful and deep and challenging and (of course) fun—vintage Albert. -- Theodore Sider, author of The Tools of Metaphysics and the Metaphysics of ScienceAlbert presents a strikingly original picture of the structure of quantum mechanics and how it describes the world. He shows, by construction, what it is that unifies approaches like the Ghirardi-Rimini-Weber theory, Bohmian mechanics, and the many-worlds formulations. For those who understand the quantum measurement problem and have begun to think carefully about how to solve it, this is an essential read. -- Jeffrey Barrett, author of The Conceptual Foundations of Quantum MechanicsFor a quarter of a century, David Albert has been one of the chief advocates of the wave-function-realist interpretation of quantum mechanics. In this beautifully written and provocative new book, Albert presents the case, as he sees it, for wave-function realism and its surprising higher-dimensional metaphysical framework. -- Alyssa Ney, author of The World in the Wave Function: A Metaphysics for Quantum PhysicsQuantum-mechanical phenomena prove that somehow or other classical physics—and even ‘common sense’—have led us massively astray about the fundamental structure of the world. Albert, in his inimitable conversational style, digs deeply into the argument that our intuitive notion of the structure of physical space lies at the root of the problem. -- Tim Maudlin, author of Philosophy of Physics: Quantum Theory

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Book SynopsisFritjof Capra, scientist, educator, activist, and accomplished author, presents the evolution of his thought over five decades in Patterns of Connection. Organised thematically and chronologically, these essays document the revolutionary and far-reaching intellectual journey of one of the major public thinkers of the last half-century.Trade ReviewFritjof Capra is one of the foremost thinkers at the interface between modern physics and an encompassing worldview looking toward a sustainable future. In these essays, he has provided us with the intellectual tools to probe these critical and emerging ideas." - Jonathan Ashmore, contributor to The Senses: A Comprehensive Reference, Second Edition"This synthesis of the work of Fritjof Capra spanning five decades provides an essential systems-thinking framework to understand and tackle the complex socioecological challenges confronting the planet." - Miguel A. Altieri, author of Agroecology: The Science of Sustainable Agriculture

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Book SynopsisThe laws governing the very small and the very swift defy common sense and stretch our minds to the limit. Drawing on a deep familiarity with the discoveries of the twentieth century, Ford gives an appealing account of quantum physics that will help the serious reader make sense of a science that, for all its successes, remains mysterious.Trade ReviewAn excellent book--one of the best popular accounts of quantum theory I have read. Ford has a deep understanding of his demanding subject and he leavens his account with color and anecdote -- Elizabeth Sourbut * New Scientist *Ford deals with topics as difficult as granularity, quantum numbers, superposition, entanglement, and the uncertainty principle, but he uses explanations and examples that make these concepts easy to understand and quantum weirdness far less daunting. * Science News *

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Book SynopsisThe Trouble with Physics is a groundbreaking account of the state of modern physics: of how we got from Einstein and Relativity through quantum mechanics to the strange and bizarre predictions of string theory, full of unseen dimensions and multiple universes.Lee Smolin not only provides a brilliant layman''s overview of current research as we attempt to build a ''theory of everything'', but also questions many of the assumptions that lie behind string theory. In doing so, he describes some of the daring, outlandish ideas that will propel research in years to come.

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Book SynopsisIn QED: The Strange Theory of Light and Matter Richard P. Feynman explains, in his lucid and witty style, the revolutionary scientific theory that won him the Nobel Prize. Quantum electrodynamics - or QED for short - is the theory that explains how light and electrons interact, and in doing so illuminates the deepest and most complex mysteries of the world around us. Thanks to Richard Feynman and his colleagues, who won the Nobel Prize for their groundbreaking work in this area, it is also one of the rare parts of physics that is known for sure - a theory that has stood the test of time. In these entertaining lectures Feynman uses clear everyday examples to provide the definitive introduction to QED. ''The perfect example of scientific genius''  Independent ''If you don''t believe Nature is absurd, let chatty Professor Feynman convince you in his series of exceedingly reader-friendly lectures ... Full of witty one-liners, with its learning lightly worn, it''s a book to enlighten''  Mail on Sunday ''Does a marvelous job of explaining one of twentieth-century physics'' few unqualified triumphs''  The New York Times Richard P. Feynman (1918-1988) was one of this century''s most brilliant theoretical physicists and original thinkers. Feynman''s other books, also available in Penguin, include QED, Six Easy Pieces, Six Not-so-Easy Pieces, Don''t You Have Time to Think, The Pleasure of Finding Things Out, What Do You Care What Other People Think? and The Meaning of it All.Table of ContentsPhotons - particles of light; electrons and their interactions; loose ends.

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Book SynopsisThis advanced undergraduate-level text provides a formulation of the quantum theory in terms of qualitative and imaginative concepts outside classical theory. A broad range of specific applications follows, worked out in considerable mathematical detail. Also included: an examination of the relationship between quantum and classical concepts. Preface. Index.

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Book SynopsisThis is the first comprehensive book on the philosophy of time. Leading philosophers discuss the metaphysics of time, our experience and representation of time, the role of time in ethics and action, and philosophical issues in the sciences of time, especially quantum mechanics and relativity theory.Table of ContentsI: TIME AND METAPHYSICS; II: THE DIRECTION OF TIME; III: TIME, ETHICS, AND EXPERIENCE; IV: TIME IN CLASSICAL AND RELATIVISTIC PHYSICS; V: TIME IN A QUANTUM WORLD

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