A Concise Introduction to Quantum Mechanics (Second Edition)

by Mark S Swanson

Overview

This extended and updated second edition course text presents a logical and concise introduction to the basic concepts, applications, and physical meaning of quantum mechanics. An initial review of classical mechanics and electromagnetism provides the reader with the context for quantum mechanics. Starting with atomic level experimental results, the probabilistic nature of quantum mechanics is derived, with the wave function related to the statistical theory of random variables. Applying the requirement of Galilean invariance yields the Schrodinger equation, and the Copenhagen interpretation of the wave function is discussed. After numerous basic applications of wave mechanics, including the hydrogen atom and the harmonic oscillator, the text then presents Dirac notation and Hilbert space theory. New chapters discuss perturbation theory, path integrals, scattering theory, and quantum entanglement.

Key Features

• Extended and updated edition of a well-used textbook
• Offers a thorough connection to classical mechanics and electromagnetism
• Provides a logical development of basic quantum mechanical concepts and a connection to formal quantum mechanics
• Acts as a complete introduction to the most important quantum mechanical results in basic systems
• An introductory text that provides connections to the current research in quantum computing and measurement theory

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780750356633
Publisher:	Institute of Physics Publishing
Publication date:	10/30/2023
Series:	IOP ebooks
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	420
File size:	17 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Mark Swanson, PhD, is Emeritus Professor of Physics at the University of Connecticut and lives in Monroe, Connecticut. He received his PhD in physics from the University of Missouri at Columbia. He held postdoctoral appointments at the University of Alberta and the University of Connecticut, as well as a faculty appointment at the University of Connecticut at Stamford. He is the author of 25 research articles and two monographs, with an emphasis on field theory and path integral techniques.

Mark Swanson received his Ph.D. in physics from the University of Missouri at Columbia in 1976 under the supervision of Justin Huang. After postdoctoral appointments at the University of Alberta and the University of Connecticut he held a faculty appointment at the University of Connecticut at Stamford from 1983 to 2014, during which time he spent six years in university administrative roles. He is the author of 25 research articles and four monographs, with an emphasis on field theory and path integral techniques. He is currently Emeritus Professor of Physics at the University of Connecticut and lives in Monroe, Connecticut.

Table of Contents

Preface

Biography

1 Classical mechanics and electromagnetism

2 The origins of quantum mechanics

3 The wave function and observable quantities

4 Formal wave mechanics

5 Applications of wave mechanics

6 Dirac notation and the matrix formulation

7 Symmetry, angular momentum, and multiparticle states

8 Approximation techniques

9 Scattering