Quantum physics Books

Book Synopsis''A majestic story'' David Bodanis, Financial Times From the international bestselling author of Physics of the Impossible and Physics of the FutureThis is the story of a quest: to find a Theory of Everything. Einstein dedicated his life to seeking this elusive Holy Grail, a single, revolutionary ''god equation'' which would tie all the forces in the universe together, yet never found it. Some of the greatest minds in physics took up the search, from Stephen Hawking to Brian Greene. None have yet succeeded. In The God Equation, renowned theoretical physicist Michio Kaku takes the reader on a mind-bending ride through the twists and turns of this epic journey: a mystery that has fascinated him for most of his life. He guides us through the key debates in modern physics, from Newton''s law of gravity via relativity and quantum mechanics to the latest developments in string theory. It is a tale of dazzling breakthroughs and crushing dead ends, illuminated by Kaku''s clarity, storytelling flair and infectious enthusiasm. The object of the quest is now within sight: we are closer than ever to achieving the most ambitious undertaking in the history of science. If successful, the Theory of Everything could simultaneously unlock the deepest mysteries of space and time, and fulfil that most ancient and basic of human desires - to understand the meaning of our lives.Trade ReviewKaku elucidates esoteric mathematics with graspable, real-life illustrations, and explains how breakthroughs in theoretical physics have had a tangible impact on human experience ... The result is both mind-bending and surprisingly readable. -- Pippa Bailey * New Statesman *[Kaku] attempts to bring the dizzying concepts of multidimensional realms within reach of the general reader ... It's a majestic story, and Kaku tells it well. -- David Bodanis * Financial Times *A clear and accessible examination of the quest to combine Einstein's general relativity with quantum theory to create an all-encompassing "theory of everything" about the nature of the universe. -- Andrew Anthony * The Observer *

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Book SynopsisThis book provides an introduction to quantum information science, the science at the basis of the new quantum revolution of this century. It teaches the reader to build and program a quantum computer and leverage its potential. Aimed at quantum physicists and computer scientists, the book covers several topics, including quantum algorithms, quantum chemistry, and quantum engineering of superconducting qubits. Written by two professionals in the experimental and theoretical fields of quantum information science and containing over 200 figures and 100 exercises with solutions and summaries at the end of each chapter, this book is set to become a new standard in the field.Trade ReviewManenti and Motta provide a tour-de-force of quantum information science. This is the first textbook that I have seen that comprehensively begins with mathematics, moves on to quantum physics, and via quantum algorithms ends up in the discussion of hardware implementations. With detailed explanations, modern references, and further reading tips this book is poised to become one of the classics in every quantum information scientist's bookshelf * Alan Aspuru-Guzik, Professor of Chemistry and Computer Science, University of Toronto and Scientific Advisor, Zapata Computing *Manenti and Motta have navigated the vast field of quantum information science to create a well-rounded and accessible textbook. Though the subject is too broad to be covered in its entirety, the authors have carefully selected key topics and provide clear explanations including advanced topics on quantum simulation and superconducting devices. This is an excellent resource for anyone starting a career in this field. * Jay Gambetta, IBM Fellow and Vice President of IBM Quantum *The text 'Quantum Information Science' is an admirable attempt by these two authors, a theorist and an experimentalist in the quantum information field, to guide readers from the very basics to the frontiers of research. The unusual breadth of topics ensures that every reader will learn something new and the inclusion of a large number of problems with detailed solutions means that this work is suitable for instructional use in graduate classes. A much needed and unique tour-de-force. * Garnet Kin-Lic Chan, Bren Professor of Chemistry, Caltech *Manenti and Motta have made a great effort to introduce the basic concepts in the rapidly growing field of quantum information science and technology. With numerous exercises and references, this book will not only be a valuable resource for current students, but also serve as a foundation for the next generation of quantum engineers. * Yasunobu Nakamura, Professor of Quantum Information Physics, University of Tokyo *Table of ContentsPART I - FOUNDATIONS 1: Mathematical tools 2: Computational models 3: Linear algebra 4: Quantum mechanics 5: Quantum circuits PART II - MODERN QUANTUM MECHANICS 6: Density operators 7: Quantum maps 8: Decoherence PART III - APPLICATIONS 9: Entanglement 10: Early quantum algorithms 11: Quantum simulation of Hamiltonian dynamics 12: Quantum simulation of Hamiltonian eigenstates PART IV - QUANTUM ENGINEERING OF SUPERCONDUCTING DEVICES 13: Microwave resonators for superconducting devices 14: Superconducting qubits Appendix A: The rotating wave approximation Appendix B: Advanced quantum mechanics Appendix C: The quantum Fourier transform Appendix D: The molecular Hamiltonian in second quantization

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Book SynopsisA concise, uncluttered edition for the modern reader, with a new introduction. Quantum Theory contains two foundational works of quantum research from the early years of the 20th Century, representing breakthroughs in science that radically altered the landscape of modern knowledge: Quantum Theory of Line-Spectra by Niels Bohr and The Origin and Development of the Quantum Theory by Max Planck. The FLAME TREE Foundations series features core publications which together have shaped the cultural landscape of the modern world, with cutting-edge research distilled into pocket guides designed to be both accessible and informative.

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Book SynopsisThis textbook offers a detailed and self-contained presentation of quantum field theory, suitable for advanced undergraduate and graduate level courses. The author provides full derivations wherever possible and adopts a pedagogical tone without sacrificing rigour. A fully worked solutions manual is available online for instructors.Trade Review'This new and very welcome introduction to quantum field theory takes the reader from the basics of classical physics and the beauty of group theory to the intricacies and elegance of gauge field theories. Students and researchers alike will treasure this fresh approach to one of the foundation stones of modern physics.' Thomas Appelquist, Yale University'I wish this text had been available the last time I taught quantum field theory. The author provides clear, detailed expositions, which serve students with diverse backgrounds for multiple course syllabi.' Steve Gottlieb, Indiana University'The rigorous and logical approach makes this text certainly one to be seriously considered for use in a quantum field theory course. In any case, it is one which practitioners will definitely want to have within easy reach on their bookshelf.' Barry Holstein, University of Massachusetts Amherst'Both as an introductory text and as an excellent single-volume compendium on quantum field theory, this book is highly recommended for students as well as practitioners at all levels.' Wolfram Weise, Technical University of MunichTable of Contents1. Lorentz and Poincare Invariance; 2. Classical Mechanics; 3. Relativistic Classical Fields; 4. Relativistic Quantum Mechanics; 5. Introduction to Particle Physics; 6. Formulation of Quantum Field Theory; 7. Interacting Quantum Field Theories; 8. Symmetries and Renormalization; 9. Nonabelian Gauge Theories.

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Book Synopsis#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The epic story of the greatest quest in all of science—the holy grail of physics that would explain the creation of the universe—from renowned theoretical physicist and author of The Future of the Mind and The Future of Humanity.When Newton discovered the law of gravity, he unified the rules governing the heavens and the Earth. Since then, physicists have been placing new forces into ever-grander theories. But perhaps the ultimate challenge is achieving a monumental synthesis of the two remaining theories—relativity and the quantum theory. This would be the crowning achievement of science, a profound merging of all the forces of nature into one beautiful, magnificent equation to unlock the deepest mysteries in science: What happened before the Big Bang? What lies on the other side of a black hole? Are there other universes and dimensions? Is time travel possible? Why are w

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Book SynopsisAn easy-to-understand introduction to the complexities of today's and tomorrow's physics. The author assess what is and what is not actually possible according to the laws of physics, among all the weird and wonderful things that Kirk, Spock and Scottie got up to in their parallel universe.

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Book Synopsis''Compulsively readable...Green threatens to do for string theory what Stephen Hawking did for holes'' New York TimesIn this international bestseller, Columbia University professor Brian Greene provides, in layman's terms, a comprehensive demystification of string theory. Greene, one of the world''s leading string theorists, peels away layers of the unknown, through introducing concepts from quantum mechanics to general relativity, to reveal a universe that consists of eleven dimensions. Accessible and enlightening, Greene''s inimitable blend of expert scientific insight and literary ingenuity makes The Elegant Universe an exhilarating read that brings us closer to understanding how our magnificent universe works. Utterly absorbing...a brilliant achievement. An accessible, equationless account of strings' Sunday TelegraphTrade ReviewDevelops one fresh new insight after another... In the great tradition of physicists writing for the masses, The Elegant Universe sets a standard that will be hard to beat * New York Times Book Review *Utterly absorbing...a brilliant achievement. An accessible, equationless account of strings, explaining why they are generating so much excitement among their devotees. Greene's achievement is to make us feel at home in the chillingly abstract world of strings and to convince us that we must take it seriously * Sunday Telegraph *As rewarding as it gets... A thrilling ride through a lovely landscape... A compelling human saga * Los Angeles Times Book Review *Compulsively readable...Green threatens to do for string theory what Stephen Hawking did for holes * New York *[A] tour-de-force of science writing...peels away layers of detail and reveals the stunning essence of cutting-edge physics -- Shing-Tung Yau, Harvard University; Fields Medalist, winner of the National Medal of Science

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewA global superstar... Professor Rovelli is making the grammar of the universe accessible to a new generation * Channel 4 News *The most fun physicist to be with -- as well as the greatest explainer of physics -- Bryan Appleyard * Sunday Times *Surely Rovelli deserves the title 'world's most inspiring physics teacher' * Daily Telegraph *The physicist transforming how we see the universe * Financial Times *The new Hawking... His writing is luminous. By the time I had finished reading I was in serious awe of the author -- David Aaronovitch * The Times *This is a really, really good book about science. It's like a tonic for the mind. Carlo Rovelli is a physicist so of course this book is about physics. But it's much more than that. It's about thinking clearly... He gives beautifully clear explanations of the ideas of the cleverest people in history, from Democritus, via Newton, to Einstein and beyond. * Evening Standard *Rather brilliant... for fans of cutting-edge physics made accessible -- Mark HaddonThe latest thinking in physics is distilled in this primer... Why do you need yet another popularisation of theoretical physics? Because Rovelli writes with crystalline simplicity. And because he turns quantum physics into a coherent story, shaping it as a quest for a single, underlying "substratum" of reality - from Democritus's finite, indivisible atoms to Einstein -- James McConnachie * Sunday Times *A comprehensive guide to the bewitching adventure of physics * Daily Telegraph *Rovelli writes with elegance, clarity and charm... A joy to read, as well as being an intellectual feast -- Michael Brooks * New Statesman *Be prepared for your intellectual foundations to be vaporised... Carlo Rovelli will melt your synapses with this exploration of physical reality and what the universe is formed of at the very deepest level... Quantum gravity is so new that there aren't many popular books about it. You couldn't be in better hands than Rovelli, a world expert -- Tara Shears * The Times Higher Education *Like all great thinkers, Rovelli has a talent for simplicity. His prose is lucid and poetic... It's not a scientific treatise. It's a paean to the wonder of the natural world... I scraped a C in my Physics O-level and haven't been near a physics textbook since. If I can understand - and even enjoy - Rovelli's book, then anyone can -- William Cook * Spectator *A marvel... In exquisitely written pages Rovelli seeks to bridge the divide between what CP Snow called the "Two Cultures" of science and the arts -- Ian Thomson * Guardian *May genuinely alter how you see the world -- Tom Whipple * The Times *If your desire to be awestruck by the universe we inhabit needs refreshing, theoretical physicist Carlo Rovelli is up to the task * Elle *

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Book SynopsisThe bestselling French graphic novel about the mind-bending world of quantum physicsTake an incredible journey through the quantum universe with explorer Bob and his dog Rick, as they travel through a world of wonders, talk to Einstein about atoms, hang out with Heisenberg on Heligoland and eat crepes with Max Planck. Along the way, we find out that a dog - much like a cat - can be both dead and alive, the gaze of a mouse can change the universe, and a comic book can actually make quantum physics fun, easy to understand and downright enchanting.''Billed as Tintin meets Brian Cox, the book was created by theoretical physicist Thibault Damour and illustrator Mathieu Burniat so it''s as scientifically accurate as it is beautiful'' BBC Focus

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Book Synopsis''A gripping new drama in science ... if you want to understand how the concept of life is changing, read this'' Professor Andrew Briggs, University of OxfordWhen Darwin set out to explain the origin of species, he made no attempt to answer the deeper question: what is life? For generations, scientists have struggled to make sense of this fundamental question. Life really does look like magic: even a humble bacterium accomplishes things so dazzling that no human engineer can match it. And yet, huge advances in molecular biology over the past few decades have served only to deepen the mystery. So can life be explained by known physics and chemistry, or do we need something fundamentally new?In this penetrating and wide-ranging new analysis, world-renowned physicist and science communicator Paul Davies searches for answers in a field so new and fast-moving that it lacks a name, a domain where computing, chemistry, quantum physics and nanotechnology intersect. At the heart of these diverse fields, Davies explains, is the concept of information: a quantity with the power to unify biology with physics, transform technology and medicine, and even to illuminate the age-old question of whether we are alone in the universe. From life''s murky origins to the microscopic engines that run the cells of our bodies, The Demon in the Machine is a breath-taking journey across the landscape of physics, biology, logic and computing. Weaving together cancer and consciousness, two-headed worms and bird navigation, Davies reveals how biological organisms garner and process information to conjure order out of chaos, opening a window on the secret of life itself.Trade ReviewBrilliantly vivid ... The big idea is that understanding the information flow in organisms might be the missing part of our scientific jigsaw puzzle. The informational approach [to life], in David's elegant and lucid exposition, is highly promising -- Steven Poole * Guardian *Important and imaginative -- Clive Cookson * Financial Times *Boundary-transcending ... Davies claims that life's defining characteristics are better understood in terms of information ... there is grandeur in this view of life * Nature *Paul Davies is a courageous explorer of the boundaries of what we can know about our world. This book makes his explorations available to all who enjoy pushing those boundaries. Written with a light entertaining touch, even the most abstruse science acquires the clarity of exposition for which the author is justly renowned -- Denis Noble, University of Oxford, author of Dance to the Tune of Life: Biological RelativityThis is one of the most exciting books I have read in years. Paul Davies celebrates a significant anniversary with a demonically brilliant investigation of a fundamental question that only the very latest science and philosophy can deal with. Now we have a view from the master that's as thrilling as it is satisfying. Superb. -- Robyn WilliamsThe molecular biology revolution has led to extraordinary understandings of how life emerges from physical processes. But comprehension of the nuts and bolts of these processes omits a key feature of what is going on: what separates life from non-life is information. In this characteristically clearly written and engaging book, ranging from physics to biology and evolutionary theory to neuroscience, Paul Davies strongly makes the case that at its core, life is about information flows. There is much food for thought here. Highly recommended. -- George F.R. Ellis, University of Cape Town, co-author of The Large Scale Structure of Space-TimePaul Davies always probes the deepest questions in science. Here, addressing the deepest of all -- Schrödinger's What is Life? -- he tells us what life is: matter plus information - beyond the laws of physics, but compatible with them. To elaborate this thesis, he deploys his trademark talent: getting to the heart of the most abstruse and technical aspects of science (biology as well as physics), without jargon and with down-to-earth analogies -- Michael Berry, HH Wills Physics LaboratoryThis creative demon shadows DNA and the promise of quantum computing, answering some basic questions. What is consciousness, why is life so good at predicting where it might go next? The bridge connecting fundamental physics, biology and the most advanced labs of computation is what Davies calls information patterns. He shows how it organizes for top-down creativity, and thereby holds off the grim reaper of entropy. With striking insight, and metaphors that illuminate the landscape of science today, Davies once again becomes a guide to the near future. -- Charles Jencks, The Garden of Cosmic SpeculationThe Demon in the Machine encompasses some of the most intriguing and unsolved mysteries of the universe: the existence of an arrow of time imprinted on the cosmos, and the emergence of life itself. Davies' crisp but rich narrative succeeds in untangling various highly complex ideas and processes, while fluently and intelligently setting out its own arrow of argument. -- Mikhail Prokopenko, The University of SydneyPaul Davies narrates a gripping new drama in science, in which the plot is the story of life and the leading actor is information. With his characteristic blend of erudition and clarity, he brings together some of the most rapidly advancing knowledge in physics and technology to show how information controls biology. If you want to understand how the concept of life is changing, read this. -- Professor Andrew Briggs, University of Oxford, author of The Penultimate Curiosity and It Keeps Me Seeking.A tour-de-force of a fascinating and frontier topic: information as a distinguishing, central aspect of those physical systems known as living ones. The Demon in the Machine is simultaneously rigorous, state-of-the-art, and highly readable - very hard to put down -- Michael Levin, Allen Discovery Center at Tufts UniversityPaul Davies takes us on a fascinating tour of what is known about what life is. Along the way he speculates interestingly about what may become known. His theme, drawn from Darwin, Schrödinger, Turing, Gödel, Shannon and von Neumann, is that what separates life from non-life is information. But how? Exploring that question illuminates biology by revealing its deep roots in physics, mathematics and computer science. -- David DeutschWhat is life? Questions don't come much bigger than that. It's asked regularly by biologists, philosophers, lawyers, law-makers, astrobiologists and, occasionally, wide-eyed children. It's not so often asked by physicists, which makes Paul Davies' new book, The Demon In The Machine, that much more fascinating. * Sydney Morning Herald *a vivid exposition of the new mathematics of biology, in which information flows play a central part * The Telegraph, best new science books to buy for Christmas 2019 *Davies - one of the most imaginative scientists working today - urges biologists studying the origins and evolution of life to pay more attention to flows of information and energy on top of traditional chemistry and physics. He is a clear guide to the emergence of information science as a key factor in biology research. * The Financial Times, Best books of 2019: Science *

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Book Synopsis''A gem of a book'' Carlo Rovelli, author of Seven Brief Lessons on Physics''A unique and beautifully written masterpiece'' Max Tegmark, author of Life 3.0Could there be a civilization on a mote of dust? How much of your fate have you made? Who cleans the universe?Through more than fifty Koans - pleasingly paradoxical vignettes following the ancient Zen tradition - leading physicist Anthony Aguirre takes us across the world from Japan to Italy, and through ideas spanning the age, breadth and depth of the Universe. Using these beguiling stories and a flair for explaining complex science, he covers cosmic questions that giants from Aristotle to Galileo to Heisenberg have grappled with - from the nature of time to the origin of multiple universes to the meaning of quantum theory.Playful and enlightening, Cosmological Koans invites the reader into an intellectual adventure of the highest order, givingTrade ReviewThis unique and beautifully written masterpiece transforms the deepest mysteries of our universe into a captivating and accessible quest for personal enlightenment -- Max Tegmark, author of Life 3.0A gem of a book -- Carlo Rovelli, author of Seven Brief Lessons on PhysicsA delight for readers raised on Gödel, Escher, Bach and The Dancing Wu Li Masters * Kirkus *This is calisthenics for the mind - it will stretch your imagination almost to the breaking point, and your understanding of reality will come away more healthy and flexible than before -- Sean Carroll, author of The Big PictureA truly creative exploration of physics and its profound insights into the Universe -- Adam Frank, author of Light of the StarsThe paradoxes of Zen Buddhism could help us grasp fundamental physics. . . What Aguirre does remarkably well is to find a way of threading many of the most interesting questions in theoretical physics onto a single narrative chain. . . At its heart the book offers a compelling answer to the question of how to talk about the un-talk-about-able -- Gilead Amit * The New Scientist *

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Book SynopsisThe instant Sunday Times bestseller -- a beautiful story of rebellion and science''A triumph. . . We are left in a world that is not disenchanted by science, but even more magical'' Financial TimesIn June 1925, twenty-three-year-old Werner Heisenberg, suffering from hay fever, had retreated to the treeless, wind-battered island of Helgoland in the North Sea in order to think. Walking all night, by dawn he had wrestled with an idea that would transform the whole of science and our very conception of the world.In Helgoland Carlo Rovelli tells the story of the birth of quantum physics and its bright young founders who were to become some of the most famous Nobel winners in science. It is a celebration of youthful rebellion and intellectual revolution. An invitation to a magical place.Here Rovelli illuminates competing interpretations of this science and offers his own original view, describing the world we touch as a fabric woven by relations. Where we, as every other thing around us, exist in our interactions with one another, in a never-ending game of mirrors.A dazzling work from a celebrated scientist and master storyteller, Helgoland transports us to dizzying heights, reminding us of the many pleasures of the life of the mind.Translated by Erica Segre and Simon CarnellChosen as a Book of the Year by The Times, Financial Times, Sunday Times, Guardian and ProspectShortlisted for the Nayef Al-Rodhan PrizeTrade ReviewPopular science has rarely been so good * Prospect *The greatest populariser of physics today. . . We are left in a world that is not disenchanted by science, but even more magical. A triumph -- Julian Baggini * Financial Times *Theoretical physics often feels rather mystical. This mind-bending, lively book by the bestselling physicist Carlo Rovelli reinforces that other-wordly feeling. . . unforgettable * The Times *Rovelli is often called the poet of physics. He writes elegant, wondering, enlarging books on time and quantum theory, much in the spirit of a priest bringing the word of God to his congregation, and I've found it good for my soul to be confronted with how little I understand the world and everything in it -- Sarah Perry * Guardian *One of the warmest, most elegant and most lucid interpreters of the dazzling enigmas of his discipline. . . A momentous book -- John Banville * Wall Street Journal *His most beautiful book yet. . . leaves an unforgettable impression of its author as a man struggling at the furthest limits of human comprehension -- James Marriot * The Times *A deep-thinking, restlessly inquiring spirit. . . His books continue a tradition of popular scientific writing from Galileo to Darwin that disappeared in the academic specialisations of the past century -- Ian Thomson * Observer *Another brilliant book by Rovelli. . . You'll have fun -- Clive Cookson * Financial Times *If anyone can make sense of the topsy-turvy, counterintuitive world of quantum physics, it is Carlo Rovelli, the most poetically minded of today's science communicators * The Times *A remarkably wide-ranging new meditation on quantum theory. . . With the light touch of a skilled storyteller. . . Rovelli is not afraid to mix quantum physics and eastern philosophy -- Manjit Kumar * Guardian *A great tonic for long-isolated minds . . . a thrilling story, written with Rovelli's accustomed wit and panache. After reading him, you'll look at the grains of beach sand between your toes with an entirely new eye * Irish Independent *Inspiring. . . Without mathematics or experiment, by page 81 your thoughts are at the frontier of quantum theory -- Alexander Masters * Spectator *A delight . . . it is a pleasure to travel in Rovelli's company * New Statesman *Travelogue meets biography meets a masterful explanation of quantum theory in this warm and fascinating account * Guardian *Explained with uncanny insight and lyrical grace * Time *A new vision, one with a remarkable power in delivering new answers to old quantum riddles. . . original and graceful -- Jenann T. Ismael * TLS *Bracing and refreshing. . . Rovelli is offering a new way to understand not just the world but our place in it, too * NPR *Carlo Rovelli is a genius and an amazing communicator. . . What I love about his writing is that it always comes back to people -- people interacting with other people, who are interacting with their world. This is the place where science comes to life -- Neil GaimanWhen life feels strange, Rovelli's books remind me that there is beauty in the strangeness -- Johny PittsRovelli is a brilliant and lucid teacher who uses his understanding of theoretical physics and the quantum world to talk about the complexity of our everyday reality -- Russell BrandCarlo Rovelli's imaginative rigour, his lively humour and his beautiful writing are inspiring -- Erica WagnerRovelli opens windows onto the imagination for all of us -- Antony GormleyI always find with Carlo Rovelli's books that there are moments when you get a real hit of understanding -- a jigsaw in your mind that just falls into place -- Robin InceHelgoland is a wonderful guide to the most extraordinary story in physics. It will reset your view of the universe -- Marcus du SautoyHooked me so hard I read the entire book in one sitting. And then twice more -- Lisa Feldman Barrett * Chronicle of Higher Education *The old, solid world, if you believed in it at all, breaks into a glorious shimmer of limitless potential -- Brian Morton * Tablet *Rovelli has an uncanny knack for instilling wonder and explaining complex theories in plain, entertaining ways * Irish Times *I'm keen for everyone to read Helgoland: a wonderfully lucid and poetic account of the foundations of quantum physics. It combines a compelling history with Rovelli's own intriguing - and for me very appealing - views about the basis of all things -- Anil Seth, author of Being You

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Book SynopsisPlanck''s Law, an equation used by physicists to determine the radiation leaking from any object in the universe, was described by Albert Einstein as the basis of all twentieth-century physics. Max Planck is credited with being the father of quantum theory, and his work laid the foundation for our modern understanding of matter and energetic processes. But Planck''s story is not well known, especially in the United States. A German physicist working during the first half of the twentieth century, his library, personal journals, notebooks, and letters were all destroyed with his home in World War II. What remains, other than his contributions to science, are handwritten letters in German shorthand, and tributes from other scientists of the time, including his close friend Albert Einstein.In Planck: Driven by Vision, Broken by War, Brandon R. Brown interweaves the voices and writings of Planck, his family, and his contemporaries-with many passages appearing in English for the first time-to create a portrait of a groundbreaking physicist working in the midst of war. Planck spent much of his adult life grappling with the identity crisis of being an influential German with ideas that ran counter to his government. During the later part of his life, he survived bombings and battlefields, surgeries and blood transfusions, all the while performing his influential work amidst a violent and crumbling Nazi bureaucracy. When his son was accused of treason related to a bombing, Planck tried to use his standing as a German national treasure, and wrote direct letters to Hitler to spare his son''s life. Brown tells the story of Planck''s friendship with the far more outspoken Albert Einstein, and shows how his work fits within the explosion of technology and science that occurred during his life. The story of a brilliant man living in a dangerous time, Brandon Brown gives Max Planck his rightful place in the history of science, and shows how war-torn Germany deeply impacted his life and work.Trade ReviewI loved every aspect of this engaging portrait of Max Planck. * Naomi Pasachoff, Metascience *Historians of leading physicists and their complex scientific theories will appreciate Brown's inclusion of many of them here. He valiantly tries to explain these theories in simple terms, including Einsteins work, but often comes up short. This is not a weakness but an indication that sections of this book are intended for advanced readers. Understanding the science is not necessary to appreciate the main points of the book, however. In the end, Brown's work is not just a reflection of one man, albeit a remarkable one, nor simply an examination of the collective contributions of his many colleagues. Rather, this book is also an examination of evil and the many ways that people reacted to it. * David Mills, H-War *Brandon Brown [focuses] on the tragedy of one man, the Nobel physicist Max Planck, whose son Erwin was executed because of nebulous connections to the plot to kill Hitler. The cruel inevitability of Erwin's fate is chillingly played out against the larger narrative of Plancks extraordinary life. Beautiful words describe terrible heartache. * Gerard DeGroot, Books of the Year 2015, The Times *Brown's fervour is inspiring. He has done a great service by shedding light on the life and work of a very brilliant though troubled individual, 'father of quantum theory' and witness to the greatest upheavals of the 20th century. * History Today, Giulia Miller *"[Planck's story] is told rather perfectly... Since memories are by nature random and ephemeral, there's nothing linear about the way [his story] unfolds. That's precisely what makes this book so special. * The Times *An illuminating biography... Brown interweaves a gripping backstory, ranging from Planck's landmark theoretical description of blackbody radiation to his loyal advocacy for fellow physicist Lise Meitner. * Nature *A captivating biography. * Physics Today *Planck had his flaws, but readers of this engrossing, insightful, and definitive biography will share Brown's admiration and agree that he deserves his iconic reputation. * Publisher's Weekly *Table of ContentsPreface ; 1. October 1944 ; 2. April 1943 ; 3. June 1943 ; 4. October 1943 ; 5. December 1943 ; 6. January 1944 ; 7. February 1944 ; 8. March 1944 ; 9. May 1944 ; 10. June 1944 ; 11. July 1944 ; 12. August 1944 ; 13. November 1944 ; 14. January 1945 ; 15. April 1945 ; 16. May 1945 ; Coda: 1945-1947

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Book SynopsisQuantum Theory is the most revolutionary discovery in physics since Newton. This book gives a lucid, exciting, and accessible account of the surprising and counterintuitive ideas that shape our understanding of the sub-atomic world. It does not disguise the problems of interpretation that still remain unsettled 75 years after the initial discoveries. The main text makes no use of equations, but there is a Mathematical Appendix for those desiring stronger fare. Uncertainty, probabilistic physics, complementarity, the problematic character of measurement, and decoherence are among the many topics discussed.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Trade ReviewJohn Polkinghorne has brought to life that most mysterious and perplexing of revolutions in understanding and has made its mysteries accessible. * Peter Atkins, University of Oxford *John Polkinghorne has produced an excellent piece of work. ... Many authors of "popular" books on modern physics have the regrettable habit of mixing science fact with science fiction. Polkinghorne never does that: he always allows the truth to stand by itself and show its own fascination. ... I think that this is an excellent contribution to the literature on quantum theory for a general audience. * Chris Isham, Imperial College, London *This splendid book explains both the triumph and the mystery that is quantum theory. It is a triumph because of its towering mathematical structure, and amazing empirical accuracy. It is a mystery because of the conundrums about how to interpret it. John Polkinghorne, himself a distinguished quantum physicist, is a sure guide to all of this: he celebrates the successes of the theory, and shows unfailingly good judgement about the conundrums. * Jeremy Butterfield, University of Oxford *Table of Contents1. Classical cracks ; 2. The light dawns ; 3. Darkening Perplexities ; 4. Further developments ; 5. Togetherness ; 6. Lessons and meanings

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Book SynopsisMemComputing is a new computing paradigm that employs time non-locality (memory) to both process and store information. This book, written by the originator of this paradigm, explains the main ideas behind MemComputing, explores its theoretical foundations, and shows its applicability to a wide variety of combinatorial optimization problems, machine learning, and quantum mechanics. The book is ideal for graduate students in Physics, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, and Mathematics, as well as researchers in both academia and industry interested in unconventional computing. The author relies on extensive margin notes, important remarks, and many illustrations to better explain the main concepts and clarify jargon, making the book as self-contained as possible. The reader will be guided from the basic notions to the more advanced ones with an always clear and engaging writing style. Along the way, the reader will appreciate the advantages of this computing paradigm and the major differences that set it apart from the prevailing Turing model of computation, and even quantum computing.Trade ReviewMemcomputing can have a revolutionary impact on the field of computing, and having a book presenting the material with the necessary background is a must to make it better known. * Pierre-Emmanuel Gaillardon, University of Utah *The book is an excellent and brilliant pedagogical introduction to a new paradigm of IT architecture. It contains both introductory and advanced material, offering the reader an overview that is exhaustive and stimulating. * Bernardo Spagnolo, University of Palermo *

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Book SynopsisStarting from first principles, this book introduces the closely related phenomena of Bose condensation and Cooper pairing, in which a very large number of single particles or pairs of particles are forced to behave in exactly the same way, and explores their consequences in condensed matter systems. Eschewing advanced formal methods, the author uses simple concepts and arguments to account for the various qualitatively new phenomena which occur in Bose-condensed and Cooper-paired systems, including but not limited to the spectacular macroscopic phenomena of superconductivity and superfluidity. The physical systems discussed include liquid 4-He, the BEC alkali gases, ''classical'' superconductors, superfluid 3-He, ''exotic'' superconductors and the recently stabilized Fermi alkali gases. The book should be accessible to beginning graduate students in physics or advanced undergraduates.Trade ReviewA book of obvious and permanent appeal, written by a towering figure in the field. * Frank Wilczek, Nobel laureate, Massachusetts Institute of Technology *Offers many original insights, ... clearly and with authority. * John Chalker, University of Oxford *Tony Leggett is widely known as one of the finest theoretical physicists in the world, and has a reputation for extremely clear and insightful writing. * A.P. Mackenzie, University of St Andrews *Table of Contents1: Introduction: quantum statistics,Bose-Einstein condensation and Cooper pairing 2: Bose-Einstein condensation: its definition, origin, occurrence and consequences 3: Liquid 4-He 4: The Bose alkali gases 5: Classical superconductivity 6: Superfluid 3-He 7: Cuprate superconductivity 8: Miscellaneous topics

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Book SynopsisA distinctive and accessible introduction to quantum information science and quantum computing, this textbook provides a solid conceptual and formal understanding of quantum states and entanglement for undergraduate students and upper-level secondary school students with little or no background in physics, computer science, or mathematics.Trade ReviewWhile broadly accessible, the textbook does not dodge providing a solid conceptual and formal understanding of quantum states and entanglement - the key ingredients in quantum computing. The authors dish up a hearty meal for the readers, disentangling and explaining many of the classic quantum algorithms that demonstrate how and when QC has an advantage over classical computers. The book is spiced with Try Its, brief exercises that engage the readers in problem solving (both with and without mathematics) and help them digest the many counter-intuitive quantum information science and quantum computing concepts. * zb Math Open *This is a refreshing, pedagogical, and timely overview of quantum computing for non-experts, by two well-qualified authors. * Shimon Kolkowitz, University of Wisconsin-Madison *This is a much needed bridge between popular and technical texts that provides easy access to the topic of quantum computing for curious readers who aim to go further and deeper in their understanding. * Dieter Jaksch, University of Oxford *The reader gets to avoid the complexity of technical quantum-computing books, yet gets more depth and rigor than in the popular writing on the topic...the book is written in a very conversational rather than academic tone. * Bogdan Hoanca, University of Alaska Anchorage *Table of Contents1: Introduction 2: Traditional Computing 3: Traditional Bits in New Clothes 4: Qubits and Quantum States 5: Quantum Measurements 6: Quantum Gates 7: Putting a Spin on Spin 8: My Basis, Your Basis 9: Multi-qubit Systems, Entanglement, and Quantum Weirdness 10: Quantum Circuits and Multi-qubit Applications 11: Quantum Computing Algorithms 12: More Quantum Algorithms 13: RSA Encryption and the Shor Factoring Algorithm 14: Fundamental Quantum Issues 15: Complexifying Quantum States 16: Present and Future QIS and QC

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Book SynopsisA Modern Introduction to Classical Electrodynamics is suitable for undergraduate students with some background knowledge of the subject and for graduate students, while more advanced topics make it a useful resource for PhD students and researchers. The book places much emphasis on the formal structure of the theory; beginning with Maxwell''s equations in the vacuum, it emphasises the central role of gauge invariance and Special Relativity. After introductory chapters which include rederivations of elementary results of electrostatics and magnetostatics, and the multipole expansion, Special Relativity is introduced, and most of the subsequent derivations are performed using covariant formalism and gauge potentials, allowing for greater conceptual and technical clarity compared to more traditional treatments. The second part of the book covers electrodynamics in material media. This includes Maxwell''s equations in material media, frequency dependent response of materials and Kramers-KrTrade ReviewA high quality substitute for existing texts, well organized, very pedagogical, and written from the modern perspective. College and undergraduate university students will appreciate the obvious advantages of Maggiore's text. * Mikhail Shifman, University of Minnesota *Table of Contents1: Mathematical tools 2: Systems of units 3: Maxwell's equations 4: Elementary applications of Maxwell's equations 5: Electromagnetic energy 6: Multipole expansion for static elds 7: Special Relativity 8: Covariant formulation of electrodynamics 9: Electromagnetic waves in vacuum 10: Electromagnetic field of moving charges 11: Radiation from localized sources 12: Post-Newtonian expansion and radiation reaction 13: Electromagnetic fields in material media 14: Frequency dependent response of materials 15: Electromagnetic waves in material media 16: Scattering of electromagnetic radiation Appendix A - Electrodynamics in Gaussian units Free

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Book SynopsisIt is often claimed that Einstein''s magnum opus---his 1915 theory of General Relativity---is distinguished from other theories of space and time in virtue of its background independence. It''s also often claimed that background independence is an essential feature of any quantum theory of gravity. But are these claims true? This book aspires to offer definitive answers to both of these questions, by (a) charting the space of possible definitions of background independence, and (b) applying said definitions to various classical and quantum theories of gravity. The outcome, in brief, is as follows: General Relativity is not unique by virtue of its background independence (and, indeed, fails to be background independent on some popular definitions); moreover, the situation in the case of quantum theories of gravity is delicate, because (i) there are viable such theories which (by some accounts, at least) fail to be background independent, but also (ii) theories (e.g. perturbative string Table of Contents1: Introduction 2: Models and Gauge 3: Classical Background Independence 4: Classical Theories of Spacetime 5: Quantum Theories of Spacetime 6: Conclusions

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Book SynopsisThis book presents a new formulation of quantum mechanics using quaternionic, rather than complex, numbers. The author is a highly respected theoretical physicist who has been working on quaternionic quantum mechanics for the last fourteen years. The author clearly explicates the relations between quaternionic, complex and real quantum mechanics, and the book is certain to be a major contribution to theoretical physics. Accessible to readers with a first-year graduate level quantum mechanics course.Trade ReviewThe professionalism shown by the author throughout the text is inviting us to look with open eyes to the perspectives opened by the enlargement of the field objects with which we are operating. * Zentralblatt für Mathematik, 885 *The book is highly professional and despite the feeling that any effort in investigating the quaterionic approach is useless, the reviewer is advocating for paying an interest in the field. The greatest merit of the monograph does not derive from the analyed aspects of the relativistic and non-relativistic quaternionic quantum mechanics but mainly from the impressive list of open questions presented by the author at the end of the monograph. That list is showing that the author is not practicing a "Glasperlenspiel" but rather that he is highly involved in the effort of understanding the very terrestrial physics. * Zentralblatt für Mathematik, 885 *Table of ContentsPART I: INTRODUCTION AND GENERAL FORMALISM 1: Introduction 2: General Framework of Quaternionic Quantum Mechanics 3: Further General Results in Quaternionic Quantum Mechanics PART II: NON-RELATIVISTIC QUATERNIONIC QUANTUM MECHANICS 4: One-Particle Quantum Mechanics--General Formalism 5: Stationary State Methods and Phase Methods 6: Scattering Theory and Bound States 7: Methods for Time-Development 8: Single Channel Time-Dependent Formal Scattering Theory 9: Multi-Particle and Multi-Channel Methods 10: Further Multi-Particle Topics PART III: RELATIVISTIC QUATERNIONIC QUANTUM MECHANICS 11: Relativistic Single Particle Wave Equations Spin-0 and Spin-1/2 12: More on Relativistic Wave Equations: The Spin-1 Gauge Potential, Lagrangian Formulations, and the Poincare Group 13: Quaternionic Quantum Field Theory 14: Outlook Appendix A: Proof of the Jacobi Identity for the Generalized Poisson Bracket Appendix B: Derivation of Gaussian Integral Formulas

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Book SynopsisPresents an innovative view of time and contemporary physics. The author urges physicists, philosophers, and anyone who has ever pondered the paradoxes of time to look at the world from a fresh perspective, and throws light on some of the great mysteries of the universe.Trade Reviewsplendidly provocative ... enjoy it as a feast for the imagination * Sunday Times *a useful addition to the literature on time, particularly as it reveals the influence of modern science on the way a philosopher thinks * New Scientist *the author has done physicists a great service in laying out so clearly and critically the nature of the various time-asymmetry problems of physics * John Barrow, Nature *Table of ContentsThe View from Nowhen; More Apt to Be Lost than Got: The Lessons of the Second Law; New light on The Arrow of Radiation; Arrows and Error in Contemporary Cosmology; Innocence and Symmetry in Microphysics; In Search of the Third Arrow; Convention Objectified and the Past Unlocked; Einstein's Issue: The Puzzle of Contemporary Quantum Theory; The Case for Advanced Action; Overview.

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Book SynopsisWaves and oscillations permeate virtually every field of current physics research, are central to chemistry, and are essential to much of engineering. Furthermore, the concepts and mathematical techniques used for serious study of waves and oscillations form the foundation for quantum mechanics. Once they have mastered these ideas in a classical context, students will be ready to focus on the challenging concepts of quantum mechanics when they encounter them, rather than struggling with techniques. This lively textbook gives a thorough grounding in complex exponentials and the key aspects of differential equations and matrix math; no prior experience is assumed. The parallels between normal mode analysis, orthogonal function analysis (especially Fourier analysis), and superpositions of quantum states are clearly drawn, without actually getting into the quantum mechanics. An in-depth, accessible introduction to Hilbert space and bra-ket notation begins in Chapter 5 (on symmetrical couplTrade ReviewListed in New Books, Physics Today "This book provides a rigorous introduction to a host of wave and oscillation phenomena and their real-world and research applications, while at the same time laying the mathematical and conceptual groundwork for upper level physics classes. I strongly recommend this book for use in a course that serves as a bridge for students who are making the transition from introductory courses into an upper-level curriculum." Prof. Nathan Harshman, American UniversityTable of ContentsLEARNING TOOLS USED IN THIS BOOK; 1.1 SINUSOIDAL OSCILLATIONS ARE EVERYWHERE; 1.2 THE PHYSICS AND MATHEMATICS BEHIND SIMPLE HARMONIC MOTION; 1.3 IMPORTANT PARAMETERS AND ADJUSTABLE CONSTANT OF SIMPLE HARMONIC MOTION; 1.4 MASS ON A SPRING; 1.5 ELECTRICAL OSCILLATORS; 1.6 REVIEW OF TAYLOR SERIES APPROXIMATIONS; 1.7 EULER'S EQUATION; 1.8 REVIEW OF COMPLEX NUMBERS; 1.9 COMPLEX EXPONENTIAL NOTATION FOR OSCILLATORY MOTION; 1.10 THE COMPLEX REPRESENTATION FOR AC CIRCUITS; 1.11 ANOTHER IMPORTANT COMPLEX FUNCTION: THE QUANTUM MECHANICAL WAVEFUNCTION; 1.12 PURE SINUSOIDAL OSCILLATIONS AND UNCERTAINTY PRINCIPLES; CONCEPT AND SKILL INVENTORY; PROBLEMS; 2.1 REQUIREMENTS FOR HARMONIC OSCILLATION; 2.2 PENDULUMS; 2.3 ELASTIC DEFORMATIONS AND YOUNG'S MODULUS; 2.4 SHEAR; 2.5 TORSION AND TORSIONAL OSCILLATORS; 2.6 BENDING AND CANTILEVERS; CONCEPT AND SKILL INVENTORY; PROBLEMS; 3.1 DAMPED MECHANICAL OSCILLATORS; 3.2 DAMPED ELECTRICAL OSCILLATORS; 3.3 EXPONENTIAL DECAY OF ENERGY; 3.4 THE QUALITY FACTOR; 3.5 UNDERDAMPED, OVERDAMPED, AND CRITICALLY DAMPED BEHAVIOR; 3.6 TYPES OF DAMPING; CONCEPT AND SKILL INVENTORY; PROBLEMS; 4.1 RESONANCE; 4.2 EFFECTS OF DAMPING; 4.3 ENERGY FLOW; 4.4 LINEAR DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS, THE SUPERPOSITION PRINCIPLE FOR DRIVEN SYSTEMS, AND THE RESPONSE TO MULTIPLE DRIVE FORCES; 4.5 TRANSIENTS; 4.6 ELECTRICAL RESONANCE; 4.7 OTHER EXAMPLES OF RESONANCE: MRI AND OTHER SPECTROSCOPIES; 4.8 NON-LINEAR OSCILLATORS AND CHAOS; CONCEPT AND SKILL INVENTORY; PROBLEMS; 5.1 BEATS: AN ASIDE?; 5.2 TWO SYMMETRIC COUPLED OSCILLATORS: EQUATIONS OF MOTION; 5.3 NORMAL MODES; 5.4 SUPERPOSING NORMAL MODES; 5.5 NORMAL MODE ANALYSIS, AND NORMAL MODES AS AN ALTERNATE DESCRIPTION OF REALITY; 5.6 HILBERT SPACE AND BRA-KET NOTATION; 5.7 THE ANALOGY BETWEEN COUPLED OSCILLATORS AND MOLECULAR ENERGY LEVELS; 5.8 NON-ZERO INITIAL VELOCITIES; 5.9 DAMPED, DRIVEN COUPLED OSCILLATORS; CONCEPT AND SKILL INVENTORY; PROBLEMS; 6.1 MATRIX MATH; 6.2 EQUATIONS OF MOTION AND THE EIGENVALUE EQUATION; 6.3 PROCEDURE FOR SOLVING THE EIGENVALUE EQUATION; 6.4 SYSTEMS WITH MORE THAN TWO OBJECTS; 6.5 NORMAL MODE ANALYSIS FOR MULIT-OBJECT, ASYMMETRICAL SYSTEMS; 6.6 MORE MATRIX MATH; 6.7 ORTHOGONALITY OF NORMAL MODES, NORMAL MODE COORDINATES, DEGENERACY, AND SCALING OF HILBERT SPACE FOR UNEQUAL MASSES; CONCEPT AND SKILL INVENTORY; PROBLEMS; 7.1 THE BEADED STRING; 7.2 STANDING WAVE GUESS: BOUNDARY CONDITIONS QUANTIZE THE ALLOWED FREQUENCIES; 7.3 THE HIGHEST POSSIBLE FREQUENCY; CONNECTION TO WAVES IN A CRYSTALLINE SOLID; 7.4 NORMAL MODE ANALYSIS FOR THE BEADED STRING; 7.5 LONGITUDINAL OSCILLATIONS; 7.6 THE CONTINUOUS STRING; 7.7 NORMAL MODE ANALYSIS FOR CONTINUOUS SYSTEMS; 7.8 K-SPACE; CONCEPT AND SKILL INVENTORY; PROBLEMS; 8.1 INTRODUCTION; 8.2 THE FOURIER EXPANSION; 8.3 EXPANSIONS USING NON-NORMALIZED ORTHOGONAL BASIS FUNCTIONS; 8.4 FINDING THE COEFFICIENTS IN THE FOURIER EXPANSION; 8.5 FOURIER TRANSFORMS AND THE MEANING OF NEGATIVE FREQUENCY; 8.6 THE DISCRETE FOURIER TRANSFORM (DFT); 8.7 SOME APPLICATIONS OF FOURIER ANALYSIS; CONCEPT AND SKILL INVENTORY; PROBLEMS; 9.1 INTRODUCTION; 9.2 THE WAVE EQUATION; 9.3 TRAVELING SINUSOIDAL WAVES; 9.4 THE SUPERPOSITION PRINCIPLE FOR TRAVELING WAVES; 9.5 ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES IN VACUUM; 9.6 ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES IN MATTER; 9.7 WAVES ON TRANSMISSION LINES; 9.8 SOUND WAVES; 9.9 MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS BASED ON TUBES; 9.10 POWER CARRIED BY ROPE AND ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES; RMS AMPLITUDES; 9.11 INTENSITY OF SOUND WAVES; DECIBELS; 9.12 DISPERSION RELATIONS AND GROUP VELOCITY; CONCEPT AND SKILL INVENTORY; PROBLEMS; 10.1 REFLECTIONS AND THE IDEA OF BOUNDARY CONDITIONS; 10.2 TRANSMITTED WAVES; 10.3 CHARACTERISTIC IMPEDANCES FOR MECHANICAL SYSTEMS; 10.4 "UNIVERSAL" EXPRESSIONS FOR TRANSMISSION AND REFLECTION; 10.5 REFLECTED AND TRANSMITTED WAVES FOR TRANSMISSION LINES; 10.6 REFLECTION AND TRANSMISSION FOR ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES IN MATTER: NORMAL INCIDENCE; 10.7 REFLECTION AND TRANSMISSION FOR SOUND WAVES, AND SUMMARY OF ISOMORPHISMS; 10.8 SNELL'S LAW; 10.9 TOTAL INTERNAL REFLECTION AND EVANESCENT WAVES; CONCEPT AND SKILL INVENTORY; PROBLEMS; APPENDIX A: GROUP VELOCITY FOR AN ARBITRARY ENVELOPE FUNCTION; INDEX

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewBreaking new ground boldly, this book aims at creating a human science of IR by looking to quantum physics for inspiration and insight. The two undisputed leaders in this burgeoning IR field, James Der Derian and Alexander Wendt, have assembled uniformly outstanding chapters. If you worry that IR has too little to say about the spreading virus within us and the warming planet around us, and a host of other pressing issues, you can learn enormously from this collection-and then you should teach it to your undergraduate and graduate students! * Peter J. Katzenstein, Walter S. Carpenter, Jr. Professor of International Studies, Cornell University and editor of Uncertainty and its Discontents: Worldviews in World Politics *While world politics is increasingly characterized by networked simultaneity, AI-generated synthetic media, and endlessly multiplying meta-verses, the formal study of the field is still flash frozen in a classical Newtonian worldview. This carefully curated edited collection provides an extremely thorough and highly provocative introduction to the many ways in which quantum theory can better inform our understanding of international relations. There is currently no other source that covers so well the history, scientific principles, and the promises and perils of quantum physics as they relate to the study of world politics. * Ron Deibert, Director of the Citizen Lab at the University of Toronto and author of Reset: Reclaiming the Internet for Civil Society *This provocative and ground-breaking collection will make you question the classical understandings of international relations and discover new entanglements. It's a thrilling glimpse into how the quantum paradigm might transform the foundations of the social sciences as much as it has for physics, chemistry, and computer science. * Kate Crawford, Research Professor at USC Annenberg, and author of Atlas of AI *There has come a need for a newly engaged examination of what the whole realm of quantum thought means, and how new developments in quantum technology might change us in profound ways. The new explorations collected here perform that function admirably; as far as I know, there is no other collection like it, and it is sorely needed. * Kim Stanley Robinson, author of The Ministry for the Future *Rich edited volume...improving our understanding of how individual actions transform the social phenomena is a worthy and timely academic pursuit. As such, the book offers unique insights that will inspire critically oriented scholars. * Jakub Tesa%r, International Affairs *Table of ContentsPreface 'Setting the Stage' Stephen Del Rosso (Carnegie Corporation of New York) Introduction 1. 'Quantum Theory: The Case for a New Human Science of International Relations' James Der Derian (University of Sydney, Australia) and Alexander Wendt (Ohio State University, USA) Part 1. History and Theory 2. 'First Encounters: Quantum Mechanics and the Human Sciences' Nicholas T. Harrington (University of Sydney, Australia) 3. 'Mind, Matter, and Motion: A Genealogy of Quantum Entanglement and Estrangement' Jayson C. Waters (University of Sydney, Australia) 4. 'A Quantum Temperament For Life: A Dialogue Between Philosophy and Physics' Jairus Victor Grove (University of Hawaii, USA) 5. 'A Conceptual Introduction to Quantum Theory' Michael Schnabel (University of Chicago, USA) Part 2. Science and Technology 6. 'The Quantum Moonshot' Shohini Ghose (Wilfrid Laurier University, Canada) 7. 'Climate Politics and Social Change: What can cognitive and quantum approaches offer?' Manjana Milkoreit and Karen O'Brien (University of Oslo, Norway) 8. 'These are not the droids you're looking for: Offense, Defense, and the Social Context of Quantum Cryptology' Jon R. Lindsay (University of Toronto, Canada) 9. 'Quantum Technology Hype and National Security' Frank L. Smith III (Naval War College, USA) Part 3. Quantizing IR 10. 'Quantum Pedagogy: Teaching Copenhagen and Discovering Affinities with Dialectical Thinking in IR' Thomas Biersteker (Graduate Institute of Geneva, Switzerland) 11. 'The Problématique of Quantization in Social Theory: A Category-Theoretic Way Forward' Badredine Arfi (University of Florida, USA) 12. 'On Quantum Social Theory and Critical International Relations' Michael P.A. Murphy (University of Ottawa, Canada) 13. 'Quantum Sovereignty + Entanglement' Mark Salter (University of Ottawa, Canada) 14. 'Quantum and systems theory in world society: Not brothers and sisters but relatives still?' Mathias Albert and Felix M. Bathon (Universität Bielefeld, Germany) 15. 'The Value of Value: A Quantum Approach to Economics, Security and International Relations' David Orrell (Systems Forecasting, Canada) Part 4. Bringing the Human Back into Science 16. 'Introspection Redux: Incorporating Consciousness into Social Research' Leonardo Orlando (SciencesPo, France) 17. 'To "See" is to Break an Entanglement: Quantum Measurement, Trauma and Security' K.M. Fierke and Nicola Mackay 18. 'The Moral Failure of the Quest for Certainty' Laura Zanotti (Virginia Tech University, USA)

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Book SynopsisHumanity has long looked to the sky and marvelled at the world around us. We''ve wondered why the world is the way it is and whether it has to be that way. For millennia these questions were theological, transitioning to philosophical during the Enlightenment, but the discipline that now drives progress is science. We now look forward, hoping to make additional connections and create a better understanding of the ultimate laws of nature. We dream of a time when we have developed a theory of everything--a theory that answers all questions.There is so much that we don''t know. This book is up front about our ignorance and spends some time dispelling some of the more popular theories. It then redirects the reader''s attention to how we will actually move forward, by identifying things we don''t yet understand and engaging with the experiments that will drive our comprehension.Einstein''s Unfinished Dream explores the cutting-edge research of modern particle physicists that pushes us slowly towards a theory of everything. Marshalling decades of experience in distilling high-level scientific concepts, Lincoln invites readers into the mysteries of dark matter, dark energy, matter/antimatter asymmetry, quark and lepton flavor, and other phenomena that have puzzled humanity for centuries.Trade ReviewThis book is an eminently readable overview of the quest for unification that goes back at least to Newton...Highly recommended. All readers. * Choice *Table of ContentsForeword Chapter 1: God's Thoughts Chapter 2: Current Knowledge Chapter 3: Failed and Incomplete Theories Chapter 4: Dark Matter Chapter 5: Dark Energy Chapter 6: Missing Antimatter Chapter 7: Ultimate Building Blocks Chapter 8: The Future Epilogue Suggested Reading

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Book SynopsisThis third edition, like its two predecessors, provides a detailed account of the basic theory needed to understand the properties of light and its interactions with atoms, in particular the many nonclassical effects that have now been observed in quantum-optical experiments. The earlier chapters describe the quantum mechanics of various optical processes, leading from the classical representation of the electromagnetic field to the quantum theory of light. The later chapters develop the theoretical descriptions of some of the key experiments in quantum optics. Over half of the material in this third edition is new. It includes topics that have come into prominence over the last two decades, such as the beamsplitter theory, squeezed light, two-photon interference, balanced homodyne detection, travelling-wave attenuation and amplification, quantum jumps, and the ranges of nonliner optical processes important in the generation of nonclassical light. The book is written as a textbook, witTrade Review... written as a graduate-level textbook ... over 100 problems help to reinforce the understanding of the material presented. * Zentralblatt MATH *Table of ContentsPreface ; 1. Planck's radiation law and the Einstein coefficients ; 2. Quantum mechanics of the atom-radiation interaction ; 3. Classical theory of optical fluctuations and coherence ; 4. Quantization of the radiation field ; 5. Single-mode quantum optics ; 6. Multimode and continuous-mode quantum optics ; 7. Optical generation, attenuation and amplification ; 8. Resonance fluorescence and light scattering ; 9. Nonlinear quantum optics ; Index

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Book SynopsisAt the time of its original publication this reissued ''classic'' text, co-written by the Nobel Laureate of 1954, Max Born, represented the final account of the subject and in many ways it still does. The book is divided into four sections. The first of these is very general in nature and deals with the general statistical mechanics of ideal lattices, leading to the electric polarizability and to the scattering of light. The second part deals with the properties of long lattice waves; the third with thermal properties and the fourth with optical properties.Trade Review'extraordinarily general and sound introduction ... a standard work that is indispensable to all working in this field' * Die Naturwissenschaften *'... important mathematical methods which should be of use in other subjects as well' * British Journal of Applied Physics *Table of ContentsPART 1: ELEMENTARY THEORIES ; PART 2: GENERAL THEORIES

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Book SynopsisThis book explains the ideas and techniques of statistical mechanics-the theory of condensed matter-in a simple and progressive way. The text starts with the laws of thermodynamics and simple ideas of quantum mechanics. The conceptual ideas underlying the subject are explained carefully; the mathematical ideas are developed in parallel to give a coherent overall view. The text is illustrated with examples not just from solid state physics, but also from recent theories of radiation from black holes and recent data on the background radiation from the Cosmic background explorer. In this second edition, slightly more advanced material on statistical mechanics is introduced, material which students should meet in an undergraduate course. As a result the new edition contains three more chapters on phase transitions at an appropriate level for an undergraduate student. There are plenty of problems at the end of each chapter, and brief model answers are provided for odd-numbered problems. From reviews of the first edition: ''...Introductory Statistical Mechanics is clear and crisp and takes advantage of the best parts of the many approaches to the subject'' Physics Today

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Book SynopsisStudents of particle physics often find it difficult to locate resources to learn calculational techniques. Intermediate steps are usually not given in the research literature. To a certain extent, this is the case even in some of the established textbooks. In this book of worked problems enough details are provided so that the beginner will understand the solution in each particular case. With this step-by-step guidance, students (after first attempting the solution themselves) can develop their skills and confidence in their ability to work out particle theory problems. Besides being a problems/solutions addition to the well established textbook by Cheng & Li, this book introduces several new topics. It provides the reader with a self-contained approach to the subject, suitable even for those not familiar with the textbook. All problems have been given a descriptive title, enabling the reader to select according to his preferences.Table of Contents1. Field Quantization ; 2. Renormalization ; 3. Renormalization Group ; 4. Group Theory and the Quark Model ; 5. Chiral Symmetry ; 6. Renormalization and Symmetry ; 7. The Parton Model and Scaling ; 8. Gauge Symmetries ; 9. Quantum Gauge Theory ; 10. Quantum Chromodynamics ; 11. Electroweak Theory ; 12. Electroweak Phenomenology ; 13. Topics in Flavourdynamics ; 14. Grand Unification ; 15. Magnetic Monopoles ; 16. Instantons

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Book SynopsisThis book introduces the quantum theory of angular momentum to students who are unfamiliar with it and develops it to a stage useful for research.The first part contains the basic theory of rotations and angular momentum. As the book aims to emphasize applications, mathematical details are avoided and difficult theorems stated without proof. The second part contains examples of applications to a wide range of physical phenomena and presents a collection of results helpful in solving problems.Trade Reviewthe text is clearly written and well comprehensible. * Institute of Physics Publishing Journal, October 1994 *It is good to see this classic reprinted as a third edition. My own copy of the second edition has been used so regularly as a reference for formulae over more than twenty-five years that it has lost its covers and some pages have become detached ... a very thorough book which has stood the test of time and will now be available to a further generation of postgraduate students and researchers. * Prof. J P Elliot (University of Sussex), Contemporary Physics, 1995, Vol 36, No 1 *Table of Contents1. Symmetry in physical laws ; 2. Representations of the rotation group ; 3. Coupling angular momentum vectors, and transformation theory ; 4. Tensors and tensor operators ; 5. Matrix elements of tensor operators ; 6. Applications to physical systems ; 7. Graphical methods in angular momentum ; Appendix i. 3-j and Clebsch-Gordan coefficients ; ii. 6-j symbols, Racah coefficients ; iii. 9-j Symbols or X-coefficients ; iv. Spherical harmonics ; v. Rotation matrix elements ; vi. Tensors and their matrix elements ; References and author index ; vii. Asymptotic expressions for large angular momenta and classical limits ; Subject index

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Book SynopsisThis book treats the central physical concepts and mathematical techniques used to investigate the dynamics of open quantum systems. To provide a self-contained presentation the text begins with a survey of classical probability theory and with an introduction into the foundations of quantum mechanics with particular emphasis on its statistical interpretation. The fundamentals of density matrix theory, quantum Markov processes and dynamical semigroups are developed. The most important master equations used in quantum optics and in the theory of quantum Brownian motion are applied to the study of many examples. Special attention is paid to the theory of environment induced decoherence, its role in the dynamical description of the measurement process and to the experimental observation of decohering Schrodinger cat states.The book includes the modern formulation of open quantum systems in terms of stochastic processes in Hilbert space. Stochastic wave function methods and Monte Carlo algTrade ReviewThis book covers a large set of topics, normally not covered in standard physics curricula ... I recommend this book to physicists interested in widening their horizons in the directions covered by the book ... I do not know of any other source providing such a systematic and well written introduction into this area of research. * Mathematical Reviews *Table of ContentsPREFACE ; ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ; PART 1: PROBABILITY IN CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS ; 1. Classical probability theory and stochastic processes ; 2. Quantum Probability ; PART 2: DENSITY MATRIX THEORY ; 3. Quantum Master Equations ; 4. Decoherence ; PART 3: STOCHASTIC PROCESSES IN HILBERT SPACE ; 5. Probability distributions on Hilbert space ; 6. Stochastic dynamics in Hilbert space ; 7. The stochastic simulation method ; 8. Applications to quantum optical systems ; PART 4: NON-MARKOVIAN QUANTUM PROCESSES ; 9. Projection operator techniques ; 10. Non-Markovian dynamics in physical systems ; PART 5: RELATIVISTIC QUANTUM PROCESSES ; 11. Measurements in relativistic quantum mechanics ; 12. Open quantum electrodynamics

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Book SynopsisMethods in theoretical quantum optics is aimed at those readers who already have some knowledge of mathematical methods and have also been introduced to the basic ideas of quantum optics. This book is ideal for students who have already explored the basics of the quantum theory of light and are seeking to acquire the mathematical skills used in real problems. This book is not primarily about the physics of quantum optics, but rather presents the mathematical methods widely used by workers in this field. There is no comparable book which covers either the range or the depth of mathematical techniques.Trade Review... many valuable insights ... Even old hands at the quantum optics game will benefit from these ... The authors cover a very wide range of material appropriate to quantum optics. By bringing it together in the way they have, they have made an important contribution to the teaching and understanding of quantum optics. * Zentralblatt MATH *Table of Contents1. Foundations ; 2. Coherent interactions ; 3. Operators and states ; 4. Quantum statistics of fields ; 5. Dissipative processes ; 6. Dressed states ; Appendices ; Selected bibliography ; Index ; 1. Foundations ; 2. Coherent interactions ; 3. Operators and states ; 4. Quantum statistics of fields ; 5. Dissipative processes ; 6. Dressed states ; Appendices ; Selected bibliography ; Index

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Book SynopsisThis book is aimed at those readers who already have some knowledge of mathematical methods and have also been introduced to the basic ideas of quantum optics. It should be attractive to students who have already explored one of the more introductory texts such as Loudon''s The quantum theory of light (2/e, 1983, OUP) and are seeking to acquire the mathematical skills used in real problems. This book is not primarily about the physics of quantum optics but rather presents the mathematical methods widely used by workers in this field. There is no comparable book which covers either the range or the depth of mathematical techniques.Trade Review... the authors are well-known for their work on topics, such as the quantum-phase operator and quasi-probability distribution so theory PhD students will be able to learn these subjects direct from the horse's mouth. The authors have [] included, for pedagogic purposes, extra detail of the mathematical workings that a PhD student would not be able find in the research literature. * New Scientist, 6 June 1998 *The reader will find here a very clear presentation of material not readily found elsewhere. Postgraduate students of quantum optics will find this work to be of the greatest utility... Care has been taken to present quite difficult topics in the simplest and most straightforward way; and yet the treatment is concise and focused... Experienced researchers will find that this text is a most convenient handbook of techniques, and will want it close to their elbow. * Contemporary Physics, 1998, vol. 39, no. 4 *Table of Contents1. Foundations ; 2. Coherent interactions ; 3. Operators and states ; 4. Quantum statistics of fields ; 5. Dissipative processes ; 6. Dressed states ; Appendices ; Selected bibliography ; Index

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Book SynopsisThe book is an introduction to quantum field theory applied to condensed matter physics. The topics cover modern applications in electron systems and electronic properties of mesoscopic systems and nanosystems. The textbook is developed for a graduate or advanced undergraduate course with exercises which aim at giving students the ability to confront real problems.Trade Review... well-designed for its target audience, [...] a well-written manuscript with a good selection of topics. * Derek Lee, Imperial College London *Table of Contents1. First and second quantization ; 2. The electron gas ; 3. Phonons: coupling to electrons ; 4. Mean field theory ; 5. Time evolution pictures ; 6. Linear response theory ; 7. Transport in mesoscopic systems ; 8. Green's functions ; 9. Equation of motion theory ; 10. Transport in interacting mesoscopic systems ; 11. Imaginary time Green's functions ; 12. Feynman diagrams and external potentials ; 13. Feynman diagrams and pair interactions ; 14. The interacting electron gas ; 15. Fermi liquid theory ; 16. Impurity scattering and conductivity ; 17. Green's functions and phonons ; 18. Superconductivity ; 19. 1D electron gases and Luttinger liquids ; A. Fourier transformations ; B. Exercises ; C. Index

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Book SynopsisQuantum optics: an introduction is a modern textbook written primarily for advanced undergraduate and masters level students in physics. In addition to standard topics, the text includes a broad range of topics in applied quantum optics such as laser cooling, Bose-Einstein condensation and quantum information processing.Trade Review'Fox has done a remarkable job at picking the key topics from a broad field. A genuinely interesting experiment in undergraduate education could be put together on the basis of Fox's textbook.' Physics Today, September 2007This is a modern text on quantum optics for advanced undergraduate students. It provides explanations based primarily on intuitive physical understanding, rather than mathematical derivations. The book also includes worked examples and exercises. * CERN Courier *Table of ContentsPART I: INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND; PART II: PHOTONS; PART III: ATOM-PHOTON INTERACTIONS; PART IV: QUANTUM INFORMATION PROCESSING; APPENDICES

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Book SynopsisThis concise, accessible text provides a thorough introduction to quantum computing - an exciting emergent field at the interface of the computer, engineering, mathematical and physical sciences. Aimed at advanced undergraduate and beginning graduate students in these disciplines, the text is technically detailed and is clearly illustrated throughout with diagrams and exercises. Some prior knowledge of linear algebra is assumed, including vector spaces and inner products. However, prior familiarity with topics such as quantum mechanics and computational complexity is not required.Trade ReviewThe book is spiced with Try Its, brief exercises that engage the readers in problem solving (both with and without mathematics) and help them digest the many counter-intuitive quantum information science and quantum computing concepts. * MathSciNet *Table of ContentsPreface ; 1. Introduction and background ; 2. Linear algebra and the Dirac notation ; 3. Qubits and the framework of quantum mechanics ; 4. A quantum model of computation ; 5. Superdense coding and quantum teleportation ; 6. Introductory quantum algorithms ; 7. Algorithms with super-polynomial speed-up ; 8. Algorithms based on amplitude amplification ; 9. Quantum computational complexity theory and lower bounds ; 10. Quantum error correction ; Appendices ; Bibliography ; Index

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Book SynopsisThe aim of this book is to become a major reference text for gravitational-wave physics, covering in detail both the experimental and the theoretical aspects. It is the only existing book on gravitational waves to date, and it will likely remain unique for its broadness and scope. It brings the reader to the forefront of present-day research, both theoretical and experimental, assuming no previous knowledge of gravitational-wave physics. Part I of Volume 1 is devoted to the theory of gravitational waves. Here we have re-derived - in a coherent way - most of the results that we present, clarifying or streamlining existing derivations. Part II of Volume 1 is devoted to a description of experimental gravitational-wave physics. We discuss in great detail existing and planned experiments, as well as data analysis techniques.Trade ReviewThe book covers a staggering breadth of material and is extremely useful as a bird's-eye overview of the field... From now on I will recommend it as the best entry point for students who want to join this blooming research field * Emanuele Berti, Physics Today *The presentation of the material, including the notation and layout, is very clear. The book is written at a level that will appeal to advanced students and active researchers. [...] The book clearly fills a gap in the literature. It deserves to become a standard textbook in gravitation and to be on the book-shelf of everybody who is seriously interested in gravitational wave astronomy. * General Relativity and Gravitation *The need for a textbook that treats the production and detection of GWs systematically is clear. Michele Maggiore has succeeded in doing this in a way that is fruitful not only for the young physicist starting to work in the field, but also for the experienced scientist needing a reference book for everyday work. * CERN Courier *For its comprehensive coverage of the theoretical and experimental aspects of gravitational waves, and for the high quality of its writing, this book is a truly remarkable achievement. I recommend it with great enthusiasm to anyone interested in this exciting topic. * Classical and Quantum Gravity *Students and experienced researchers will welcome Michele Maggiore's timely and authoritative new text book. * Nature *...excellent and useful material...on an important new frontier of astronomy and of fundamental physics. I look forward to Volume 2, and even more so to the dawn of gravitational-wave astronomy. * Nature *A very good book, and it fills a gap in the literature. [...] It is an ideal textbook for a monographic introductory course on gravitational waves, for graduates or advanced undergraduates, [and] it could also be the basic reference text for researchers, both experimentalists and theoreticians. * The Gravitational Voice *Table of ContentsPART I; PART II

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Book SynopsisThe Emergent Multiverse presents a striking new account of the ''many worlds'' approach to quantum theory. The point of science, it is generally accepted, is to tell us how the world works and what it is like. But quantum theory seems to fail to do this: taken literally as a theory of the world, it seems to make crazy claims: particles are in two places at once; cats are alive and dead at the same time. So physicists and philosophers have often been led either to give up on the idea that quantum theory describes reality, or to modify or augment the theory. The Everett interpretation of quantum mechanics takes the apparent craziness seriously, and asks, ''what would it be like if particles really were in two places at once, if cats really were alive and dead at the same time''? The answer, it turns out, is that if the world were like that--if it were as quantum theory claims--it would be a world that, at the macroscopic level, was constantly branching into copies--hence the more sensationalist name for the Everett interpretation, the ''many worlds theory''. But really, the interpretation is not sensationalist at all: it simply takes quantum theory seriously, literally, as a description of the world. Once dismissed as absurd, it is now accepted by many physicists as the best way to make coherent sense of quantum theory.David Wallace offers a clear and up-to-date survey of work on the Everett interpretation in physics and in philosophy of science, and at the same time provides a self-contained and thoroughly modern account of it--an account which is accessible to readers who have previously studied quantum theory at undergraduate level, and which will shape the future direction of research by leading experts in the field.Trade ReviewThe Emergent Multiverse is the most extensive, careful, and wide-ranging discussion of Hugh Everetts so-called Many Worlds interpretation of quantum theory in existence (at least on our branch of the multiverse), and is certain to become the locus classicus for all future discussions of the theory. Since the first obligation of a reviewer is to give guidance to potential readers, I will discharge that obligation first: if you have any interest in studying or trying to understand the Everett theory, you must get this book. You wont find a better discussion of both foundational issues and far-flung consequences of the theory anywhere. David Wallace has been brooding on the theory, and fielding objections to it, for over a decade. His considered views and responses are as careful and sophisticated as any on the market, and are equally attuned to physical and to philosophical issues. * Tim Maudlin, Nous *This book is an outstanding achievement. It presents the current state of the art in the Everett interpretation to a depth and level of sophistication that will be appreciated by the leading experts in the foundations of quantum theory (of whom Wallace is one) -- and will educate them, and should chasten most of them. Yet, at the same time, the presentation is so clear and down-to-earth that this could serve as an introductory textbook for (say) undergraduates who are unfamiliar with any of the issues or even with quantum theory. This combination of relentlessly watertight argument with relentless common sense, however counter-intuitive the subject matter, is something Wallace is very good at. So much so that I think that even a philosophically-minded lay person, who would have to skip most of the technical discussion and equations, might nevertheless devour this book and learn a great deal from it * David Deutsch, Centre for Quantum Computatio, The Clarendon Laboratory, University of Oxford *Nobody has done more to defend, clarify and advance the Everett interpretation over the past dozen years than Wallace, and this book is the culmination of his work on this area. As those who have read Wallace's articles will expect, it is an excellent book, and should be required reading for anyone interested in the foundations of quantum mechanics * Peter J. Lewis, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews *The dialogic interludes are insightful and entertaining. The quotations at the beginning of each sectionare incredibly to the point...I recommend to everyone, especially to sceptics of the MWI to read this book: enjoy the brilliant and engaging style... * Lev Vaidman, The British Journal for the Philosophy of Science *Table of ContentsPART I: THE PLURALITY OF WORLDS; PART II: PROBABILITY IN A BRANCHING UNIVERSE; PART III: QUANTUM MECHANICS, EVERETT STYLE; APPENDICES

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Book SynopsisThis book presents the reader with modern tools, approaches, approximations, and applications of quantum mechanics. Quantum mechanics forms the foundation of all modern physics, including atomic, nuclear, and molecular physics, the physics of the elementary particles, condensed matter physics, and also modern astrophysics.Trade Review"The book teaches students how to approach and solve the types of quantum mechanical problems they will encounter throughout their careers. It will serve as an excellent text for a graduate level course." * C. Stephen Hellberg, Naval Research Laboratory *Table of Contents1. Schrodinger equation on a lattice ; 2. Dirac notation ; 3. Back to Schrodinger equation on the lattice ; 4. Operator-mechanics ; 5. Time evolution and wave packets ; 6. Simulaneaous observables ; 7. Continuity equation and wavefunction properties ; 8. Bond states in one-dimension ; 9. Scattering in one dimension ; 10. Periodic Potentials ; 11. The harmonic oscillator ; 12. WKB approximation ; 13. Quantum mechanics and path integrals ; 14. Applications of path integrals ; 15. Angular momentum ; 16. Bound states in spherically symmetric potentials ; 17. The hydrogen-like atom ; 18. Angular momentum and spherical symmetry ; 19. Scattering in 3D ; 20. Time independent perturbation expansion ; 21. Applications of perturbation theory ; 22. Time-dependent Hamiltonian ; 23. Spin angular momentum ; 24. Adding angular momenta ; 25. Identical particles ; 26. Elementary atomic physics ; 27. Molecules ; 28. The elasticity field ; 29. Quantization of the free electromagnetic field ; 30. Interaction of radiation with charged particles ; 31. Elementary relativistic quantum mechanics

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Book SynopsisCan you kick a black hole? What about electrons? As a child, quantum-physicist Smitha Vishveshwara pondered such questions with her astrophysicist father, C. V. Vishveshwara (Vishu); decades later, their musings grew into a series of letter exchanges in Two Revolutions: Relativity and Quantum Physics.The letters between father and daughter lead the scientifically curious reader through these two remarkable branches of physics that dramatically changed our perception of nature. From the subatomic to the astronomical realms, they weave a rich tapestry of scientific insight, history, personal anecdotes, philosophy, and wonder. The book traces Einstein''s tenacious journey in formulating the theory of relativity, in which space and time merge, and gravitation warps spacetime, forming the very fabric of the Universe. The authors reveal how black holes and gravitational waves emerge as bizarre and awe-inspiring constructs within this framework. In the quantum realm, the book mulls over conundrums posed by wave-particle duality, Schrodinger''s curious cat, the beautiful dance of electrons in atoms, and entanglement. It explores communities of particles acting in marvelous concert in magnetic resonance imaging, superfluids, and more. Fate took unforeseen twists while the book was still in the making. In 2016, after decades of work by numerous researchers, the detection of gravitational waves Vishu''s lifelong dream finally came to pass. Emanating from two spiraling blackholes a billion light years away, the waves'' signals even showed hints of Vishu''s pioneering predictions on black hole ringdowns from the 1970s. But soon after that glorious culmination, Vishu fell critically ill. Smitha concludes their story by recreating the euphoria of scientific discovery against the intimate backdrop of life and death.

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Book SynopsisThe greatest challenge for physics is to combine its two most successful theories: general relativity and quantum mechanics. The resulting quantum theory of gravity would explain the universe across all scales. Much has been said about the approach based on string theory. Here, Jim Baggott describes its powerful rival: Loop Quantum Gravity.Trade Review...if you have enjoyed/got through popular science books about such areas as strings and superstrings, time, and the God particle, here is a fine addition to the oeuvre. * Ian Francis, School Science Review *There is no doubt that Jim Baggott is an excellent popular science writer, and Quantum Space is the first complete and approachable account to a quantum theory that delves deep into the quest to resolve one of the great unanswered problems of modern physics: How can general relativity be made compatible with quantum mechanics? Baggott proposes Loop Quantum Gravity, which in our mind is one of the best explanations for anyone who wants to understand more about our puling universe ... It's a triumph. * All About Space Magazine *There's no doubt that Jim Baggott is one of the best popular science writers currently active ... [he] has done a huge favour for anyone who really wants to understand modern theoretical physics, giving a much better understanding of this fascinating attempt to deal with a central requirement to explain the workings of our universe. It's a triumph. * Brian Clegg, popularscience.com *A lucid exposition of loop quantum gravity and the search for the structural space, time and the universe focusing around the work of Lee Smolin and Carlo Rovelli. * David Lorimer, Paradigm Explorer *The discovery and development of Loop Quantum Gravity has been a great adventure. Jim's story beautifully captures its insights and excitement. * Carlo Rovelli, author of Seven Brief Lessons on Physics *...if you have enjoyed/got through popular science books about such areas as strings and superstrings, time, and the God particle, here is a fine addition to the oeuvre. * Ian Francis, School Science Review *There is no doubt that Jim Baggott is an excellent popular science writer, and Quantum Space is the first complete and approachable account to a quantum theory that delves deep into the quest to resolve one of the great unanswered problems of modern physics: How can general relativity be made compatible with quantum mechanics? Baggott proposes Loop Quantum Gravity, which in our mind is one of the best explanations for anyone who wants to understand more about our puling universe ... It's a triumph. * All About Space Magazine *There's no doubt that Jim Baggott is one of the best popular science writers currently active ... [he] has done a huge favour for anyone who really wants to understand modern theoretical physics, giving a much better understanding of this fascinating attempt to deal with a central requirement to explain the workings of our universe. It's a triumph. * Brian Clegg, popularscience.com *A lucid exposition of loop quantum gravity and the search for the structural space, time and the universe focusing around the work of Lee Smolin and Carlo Rovelli. * David Lorimer, Paradigm Explorer *The discovery and development of Loop Quantum Gravity has been a great adventure. Jim's story beautifully captures its insights and excitement. * Carlo Rovelli, author of Seven Brief Lessons on Physics *Table of ContentsPreface Prologue Part I: Foundations 1: The Laws of Physics are the Same for Everyone 2: There>'s No Such Thing as the Force of Gravity 3: Why Nobody Understands Quantum Mechanics 4: Mass Ain>'t What it Used To Be 5: How to Fudge the Equations of the Universe Part II: Formulation 6: To Get There I Wouldn>'t Start From Here 7: A Gift From the Devil>'s Grandmother 8: Our Second or Third Guess Solved the Equations Exactly 9: I Used Every Available Key Ring in Verona 10: Is There Really No Time Like the Present? Part III: Elaborations 11: Gravitons, Holographic Physics and Why Things Fall Down 12: Fermions, Emergent Particles and the Nature of Stuff 13: Relational Quantum Mechanics and Why

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Book SynopsisFor a physicist, all the world is information. The Universe and its workings are the ebb and flow of information. We are all transient patterns of information, passing on the recipe for our basic forms to future generations using a four-letter digital code called DNA. In this engaging and mind-stretching account, Vlatko Vedral considers some of the deepest questions about the Universe and considers the implications of interpreting it in terms of information. He explains the nature of information, the idea of entropy, and the roots of this thinking in thermodynamics. He describes the bizarre effects of quantum behaviour -- effects such as ''entanglement'', which Einstein called ''spooky action at a distance'', and explores cutting edge work on harnessing quantum effects in hyperfast quantum computers, and how recent evidence suggests that the weirdness of the quantum world, once thought limited to the tiniest scales, may reach into the macro world. Vedral finishes by considering the ansTrade ReviewBy turns irreverent, erudite and funny, Decoding Reality is - by the standard of books that require their readers to know what a logarithm is - a ripping good read...Not since David Deutsch's magestierial 'The Fabric of Reality' has a physicist given us such a wide-ranging and intriguing picture of how quantum mechanics constructs the world. * Seth Lloyd, New Scientist *Well written and engaging, the book provides a constant flow of new ideas. * Science *The author evinces great enthusiasm and curiosity throughout. * Steven Poole, The Guardian *By turns irreverent, erudite and funny, Decoding Reality is...a ripping good read. * Seth Lloyd, New Scientist *A wide-ranging and intriguing picture of how quantum mechanics constructs the world. * Seth Lloyd, New Scientist *Excellent, thought-provoking book. * BBC Focus Magazine, Marcus Chown *An engaging, non-technical exploration of what the new theory of quantum information and computation tells us about life, the universe, and everything. * David Deutsch, author of The Fabric of Reality *Let Vedral guide you skilfully through the wonderland of modern physics - where nothing is as it seems. This is the finest treatment I have read of the weird interplay of quantum reality, information and probability. * Paul Davies, author of The Eerie Silence and The Goldilocks Enigma *Vedral's book goes to dizzying heights in answering the very big question: can one understand all of reality from a scientific point of view? * Sheldon Richmond, Science and Education *Table of ContentsPrologue 1: Creation Ex Nihilo: Something from Nothing 2: Information for all SeasonsPart One 3: Back to Basics: Bits and Pieces 4: Digital Romance: Life is a Four-Letter Word 5: Murphy's Law: I Knew this Would Happen to Me 6: Place Your Bets: In It to Win It 7: Social Informatics: Get Connected or Die Tryin'Part Two 8: Quantum Schmuntum: Lights, Camera, Action! 9: Surfing the Waves: Hyper-Fast Computers 10: Children of the Aimless Chance: Randomness versus DeterminismPart Three 11: Sand Reckoning: Whose Information is It, Anyway? 12: Destruction ab Toto: Nothing from Something Epilogue Notes Index

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Book SynopsisAntimatter explores a strange mirror world, where particles have identical yet opposite properties to those that make up the familiar matter we encounter everyday; where left becomes right, positive becomes negative; and where, should matter and antimatter meet, the two annihilate in a blinding flash of energy that makes even thermonuclear explosions look feeble by comparison. It is an idea long beloved of science-fiction stories--but here, renowned science writer Frank Close shows that the reality of antimatter is even more fascinating than the fiction itself. We know that once, antimatter and matter existed in perfect counterbalance, and that antimatter then perpetrated a vanishing act on a cosmic scale that remains one of the greatest mysteries of the universe. Today, antimatter does not exist normally, at least on Earth, but we know that it is real for scientists are now able to make small pieces of it in particle accelerators, such as that at CERN in Geneva. Looking at the remarkable prediction of antimatter and how it grew from the meeting point of relativity and quantum theory in the early 20th century, at the discovery of the first antiparticles, at cosmic rays, annihilation, antimatter bombs, and antiworlds, Close separates the facts from the fiction about antimatter, and explains how its existence can give us profound clues about the origins and structure of the universe.Oxford Landmark Science books are ''must-read'' classics of modern science writing which have crystallized big ideas, and shaped the way we think.Trade ReviewReview from previous edition To miss out on books like this is to miss out on a grasp of the astounding nature of the universe, * Nicholas Lezard, The Guardian *The book does not overburden the reader with dense technical details or equations, it rather offers an accessible, elegant, thought-provoking and up-to-date overview on the subject, representing a great resource filled with vital information on antimatter for the science and the science-fiction lovers. * Eric Howard, Contemporary Physics *This compact book is a wonderful source of information on antimatter and offers us a meticulously researched account of the nature, properties and applications of the often overlooked entities in the fantastic antiworld around us. * Chemistry World *This is a must-read for fans of science and science fiction alike * John Gribbin, www.bbcfocusmagazine.com *Beautifully written... This book will inspire a sense of awe in even the most seasoned readers of physics books. * Amanda Gefter, New Scientist *Beautifully concise history of one vital aspect of twentieth-century particle physics. * Mark Ronan, Times Literary Supplement *Table of ContentsForeword: 'Genesis' 1: Antimatter: Fact or Fiction? 2: The Material World 3: Tablets of Stone 4: A Cosmic Discovery 5: Annihilation 6: Storing Antimatter 7: The Mirror Universe 8: Why is There Anything at All? 9: Revelations Appendix: The Cost of Antimatter Appendix: 'The Dirac Code' Notes Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisQuantum theory (QT) is the best, most useful physics theory ever invented. For example, ubiquitous are cell phones, laser scanners, medical imagers, all inventions depending on QT. However, there is something deeply wrong with QT. It describes the probabilities of what happens, but it does not give a description of what actually happens. Most (but not all) physicists are not worried about this flaw, the probabilities are good enough for them. Other physicists, the author included, believe that is not good enough. The purpose of physics is to describe reality. To not do so is to abandon ''the great enterprise'' (John Bell). This book shows one way to alter QT so that the new theory does describe what actually happens. This theory, created over three decades ago, has been called the ''Continuous Spontaneous Localization'' (CSL) theory.Many experiments over this period have tested CSL, and so far it is neither confirmed nor refuted. This book shows how CSL works, and discusses its consequTrade ReviewA most welcome addition to the physics literature written with extreme care and covering the objective subject matter in a thorough professional and methodical manner. * Daniel Sudarsky, UNAM, Mexico City *A book of very high quality presenting a way of modifying quantum mechanics to remove some of its most serious problems (especially the measurement problem). * Kelvin McQueen, Chapman University, Orange, California *Pearle is the master of this material and writes with beautiful clarity and well-judged occasional witticisms and side-remarks. His experience as teacher, as well as researcher, shows in the vivid explanations, and the careful and consistent level of detail in the exposition. * Jeremy Butterfield, University of Cambridge *Table of Contents1: Introduction 2: Continuous Spontaneous Localization (CSL) Theory 3: CSL Theory Refinements 4: Non-Relativistic CSL 5: Spontaneous Localization (SL) Theory 6: Some Experiments Testing CSL 7: Interpretational Remarks 8: Supplement to Chapter 1 9: Supplement to Chapter 2 10: Supplement to Chapter 3 11: Supplement to Chapter 4 12: Supplement to Chapter 5 13: Supplement to Chapter 6 14: Supplement to Chapter 7 15: A Stochastic Differential Equation Cookbook 16: CSL Expressed as a Schrodinger Stochastic DE 17: Applying the CSL Stratonovich Equation to the Free Particle Undergoing Collapse in Position 18: Applying the CSL Stratonovich Equation to the Harmonic Oscillator Undergoing Collapse in Position Appendix A: Gaussians Appendix B: Random Walk Appendix C: Brownian Motion/Wiener Process Appendix D: White Noise Appendix E: White Noise Field Appendix F: Density Matrix Appendix G: Theoretical Constraint Calculations

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Book SynopsisTraditionally, philosophers of quantum mechanics have addressed exceedingly simple systems: a pair of electrons in an entangled state, or an atom and a cat in Dr. Schrodinger''s diabolical device. But recently, much more complicated systems, such as quantum fields and the infinite systems at the thermodynamic limit of quantum statistical mechanics, have attracted, and repaid, philosophical attention. Interpreting Quantum Theories has three entangled aims. The first is to guide those familiar with the philosophy of ordinary QM into the philosophy of ''QM infinity'', by presenting accessible introductions to relevant technical notions and the foundational questions they frame. The second aim is to develop and defend answers to some of those questions. Does quantum field theory demand or deserve a particle ontology? How (if at all) are different states of broken symmetry different? And what is the proper role of idealizations in working physics? The third aim is to highlight ties between Trade ReviewEach of these chapters by itself makes an important contribution to philosophy of physics; but amazingly, Ruetsche ties them each to the overarching argument against pristine interpretations and for a modification of traditional scientific realism. ... It is a book that repays close study and which should be discussed extensively by philosophers in the years to come. * Hans Halvorson, Metascience *All in all, the book is a remarkable achievement: at one and the same time a cohesive account of a major body of work by the author and others, an accessible and philosophically sensitive introduction to the field, a powerful defence of a largely novel position in philosophy of science through careful attention to scientific details, and an impressive advertisement for the value of that strategy in philosophy of science that places a high premium on mathematical rigour, without losing focus on the philosophical issues at hand. It is not the only strategy available but, in Reutsches hands at least, it is remarkably effective. * David Wallace, The British Journal for the Philosophy of Science *Ruetsche's book is set apart from many of the recent books of the philosophy of physics, not only in its engagement with the quantum theory of infinite systems (including quantum field theory), but also in its explicit engagement with questions from general philosophy of science ... It is a book that repays close study and which should be discussed extensively by philosophers in the years to come. * Hans Halvorson, Metascience *Table of ContentsContents ; Preface ; Abbreviations and Symbols ; 1. Exegesis Saves: Interpreting Physical Theories ; 2. Quantizing ; 3. Beyond the Stone-von Neumann Theorem ; 4. Representation Without Taxation ; 5. Axioms for Quantum Theories ; 6. Interpreting Quantum Theories: Some Options ; 7. Extraordinary QM ; 8. Interpreting Extraordinary QM ; 9. Is Particle Physics Particle Physics? ; 10. Particles and the Void ; 11. Phenomenological Particle Notions ; 12. A Matter of Degree: Making Sense of Phase Structure ; 13. Interlude: Symmetry Breaking in QSM ; 14. Broken Symmetry and Physicists' QFT ; 15. Morals? ; References

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