Description
Book SynopsisSince the 17th century, physical theories have been expressed in the language of mathematical equations. This introduction to quantum theory uses that language to enable the reader to comprehend the notoriously non-intuitive ideas of quantum physics.
The mathematical knowledge needed for using this book comes from standard undergraduate mathematics courses and is described in detail in the section Prerequisites. This text is especially aimed at advanced undergraduate and graduate students of mathematics, computer science, engineering and chemistry among other disciplines, provided they have the math background even though lacking preparation in physics. In fact, no previous formal study of physics is assumed.
Trade Review“The target audience is ‘advanced undergraduate mathematics students who had no or only very little prior knowledge of physics’. It would indeed be a rare variety of mathematics advanced undergraduates who would fit this bill. … an interesting supplement for students with a mathematical bent.” (Amitava Raychaudhuri, zbMATH 1458.81002, 2021)
Table of ContentsIntroduction to this Path.- Viewpoint.- Neither Particle nor Wave.- Schrödinger's Equation.- Operators and Canonical Quantization.- The Harmonic Oscillator.- Interpreting: Mathematics.- Interpreting: Physics.- The Language of Hilbert Space.- Interpreting: Measurement.- The Hydrogen Atom.- Angular Momentum.- The Rotation Group SO(3).- Spin and SU(2).- Bosons and Fermions.- Classical and Quantum Probability.- The Heisenberg Picture.- Uncertainty (Optional).- Speaking of Quantum Theory (Optional).- Complementarity (Optional).- Axioms (Optional).- And Gravity?.- Measure Theory: A Crash Course.
