Quantum Theory

David Bohm

Brossura

ISBN 10: 0486659690 ISBN 13: 9780486659695

Casa editrice: Dover Pubns, 1989

This superb text by David Bohm, formerly Princeton University and Emeritus Professor of Theoretical Physics at Birkbeck College, University of London, provides a formulation of the quantum theory in terms of qualitative and imaginative concepts that have evolved outside and beyond classical theory. Although it presents the main ideas of quantum theory essentially in nonmathematical terms, it follows these with a broad range of specific applications that are worked out in considerable mathematical detail.
Addressed primarily to advanced undergraduate students, the text begins with a study of the physical formulation of the quantum theory, from its origin and early development through an analysis of wave vs. particle properties of matter. In Part II, Professor Bohm addresses the mathematical formulation of the quantum theory, examining wave functions, operators, Schrödinger's equation, fluctuations, correlations, and eigenfunctions.
Part III takes up applications to simple systems and further extensions of quantum theory formulation, including matrix formulation and spin and angular momentum. Parts IV and V explore the methods of approximate solution of Schrödinger's equation and the theory of scattering. In Part VI, the process of measurement is examined along with the relationship between quantum and classical concepts.
Throughout the text, Professor Bohm places strong emphasis on showing how the quantum theory can be developed in a natural way, starting from the previously existing classical theory and going step by step through the experimental facts and theoretical lines of reasoning which led to replacement of the classical theory by the quantum theory.

Contenuti:

Part I Physical formulation of the quantum theory 1. The origin of the quantum theory 2. Further developments of the early quantum theory 3. Wave packets and De Broglie waves 4. The definition of probabilities 5. The uncertainty principle 6. Wave vs. particle properties of matter 7. Summary of quantum concepts introduced 8. An attempt to build a physical picture of the quantum nature of matter Part II Mathematical formulation of the quantum theory 9. Wave functions, operators, and Schrödinger's equation 10. Fluctuations, correlations, and eigenfunctions Part III Applications to simple systems. Further extension of quantum theory formulation 11. Solutions of wave equations for square potentials 12. The classical limit of quantum theory. The WKB approximation 13. The harmonic oscillator 14. Angular momentum and the three-dimensional wave equation 15. Solution of radial equation, the hydrogen atom, the effect of a magnetic field 16. Matrix formulation of quantum theory 17. Spin and angular momentum Part IV Methods of approximate solution of Schrödinger's equation 18. Perturbation theory, time-dependent and time-independent 19. Degenerate perturbations 20. Sudden and adiabatic approximations Part V Theory of scattering 21. Theory of scattering Part VI Quantum theory of the process of measurement 22. Quantum theory of the process of measurement 23. Relationship between quantum and classical concepts Index

Product Description:

Book by Bohm David