Quantum Physics

Volume 1: From Basics to Symmetries and Perturbations

Zelevinsky, Vladimir

1. Edition November 2010
XIV, 602 Pages, Softcover
125 Pictures
Textbook

ISBN: 978-3-527-40979-2

Wiley-VCH, Berlin

Short Description

A modern two-volume set teaching students how to practically use quantum physics and theory. It focuses on problem solving, first presenting the fundamental knowledge, and then moving on to applications. Problems and solutions are integrated throughout the text.

Buy now

Price: 112,00 €

Price incl. VAT, excl. Shipping

This two-volume set can be naturally divided into two semester courses, and contains a full modern graduate course in quantum physics. The idea is to teach graduate students how to practically use quantum physics and theory, presenting the fundamental knowledge, and gradually moving on to applications, including atomic, nuclear and solid state physics, as well as modern subfields, such as quantum chaos and quantum entanglement. The book starts with basic quantum problems, which do not require full quantum formalism but allow the student to gain the necessary experience and elements of quantum thinking. Only then does the fundamental Schrödinger equation appear. The author has included topics that are not usually covered in standard textbooks and has written the book in such a way that every topic contains varying layers of difficulty, so that the instructor can decide where to stop. Although supplementary sources are not required, "Further reading" is given for each chapter, including references to scientific journals and publications, and a glossary is also provided.
Problems and solutions are integrated throughout the text.

1. Origin of Main Quantum Concepts
2. Wave Function and the Simplest Problems
3. Bound States
4. Dynamical Variables
5. Uncertainty Relations
6. Hilbert Space and Operators
7. Quantum Dynamics
8. Discrete Symmetries
9. One-Dimensional Motion: Continuum
10. Variational Approach and Diagonalization
11. Discrete Spectrum and Harmonic Oscillator
12. Coherent and Squeezed States
13. Introducing Magnetic Field
14. Macroscopic Quantum Coherence
15. Semiclassical (wkb) Approximation
16. Angular Momentum and Spherical Functions
17. Motion in a Central Field
18. Hydrogen Atom
19. Stationary Perturbations
20. Spin ½
21. Finite Rotations and Tensor Operators
22. Angular Momentum Coupling
23. Fine and Hyperfine structure
24. Atom in a Static Field

Vladimir Zelevinsky is Professor at the Department of Physica and Astronomy and National Superconducting Cyclotron laboratory at Michigan State University, USA. He graduated from Moscow University and worked for many years at the Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics in Novosibirsk where he got his Candidate of Science and highest Doctor of Science degrees (equivalent to a Ph.D.). In the eighties he was Head of Theory Division at the Budker Institute and Head of Theoretical Physics at Novosibirsk University. He spent three years as a visiting professor at the Niels Bohr Institute in Copenhagen. He is the author of over 200 scientific publications, co-editor of the EPL journal and Associate Editor of the Nuclear Physics journal. He has also received many awards as the best teacher at MSU.