A Primer on Hilbert Space Theory: Linear Spaces, Topological Spaces, Metric Spaces, Normed Spaces, and Topological Groups

by Carlo Alabiso, Ittay Weiss

Overview

This book is an introduction to the theory of Hilbert space, a fundamental tool for non-relativistic quantum mechanics. Linear, topological, metric, and normed spaces are all addressed in detail, in a rigorous but reader-friendly fashion. The rationale for an introduction to the theory of Hilbert space, rather than a detailed study of Hilbert space theory itself, resides in the very high mathematical difficulty of even the simplest physical case. Within an ordinary graduate course in physics there is insufficient time to cover the theory of Hilbert spaces and operators, as well as distribution theory, with sufficient mathematical rigor. Compromises must be found between full rigor and practical use of the instruments. The book is based on the author's lessons on functional analysis for graduate students in physics. It will equip the reader to approach Hilbert space and, subsequently, rigged Hilbert space, with a more practical attitude.

With respect to the original lectures, the mathematical flavor in all subjects has been enriched. Moreover, a brief introduction to topological groups has been added in addition to exercises and solved problems throughout the text. With these improvements, the book can be used in upper undergraduate and lower graduate courses, both in Physics and in Mathematics.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783319353517
Publisher:	Springer International Publishing
Publication date:	08/23/2016
Series:	UNITEXT for Physics
Edition description:	Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 2015
Pages:	255
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.25(h) x (d)

About the Author

Prof. Carlo Alabiso obtained his degree in Physics at Milan University, Italy, and then taught for more than 40 years at Parma University, Parma, Italy (with a period spent as a research fellow at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center and at CERN, Geneva), until his retirement in 2011. His teaching encompassed topics in Quantum Mechanics, special relativity, field theory, elementary particle physics, mathematical physics, and functional analysis. His research fields include mathematical physics (Padé approximants), elementary particle physics (symmetries and quark models), and statistical physic (ergodic problems), and he has published articles in a wide range of national and international journals, as well as the previous Springer book (with Alessandro Ciesa), Problemi di Meccanica Quantistica non Relativistica.

Dr Ittay Weiss received his PhD in Mathematics from Utrecht University, the Netherlands, in 2007. He has published extensively on algebraic topology, general topology, metric space theory, and category theory, and has taught undergraduate and postgraduate mathematics in the Netherlands, Fiji, and England. He is currently a Senior Lecturer in Mathematics at the School of Mathematics and Physics, University of Portsmouth, UK. Born in Israel, his first encounter with advanced mathematics was at the age of 16 while he was following computer science courses at the Israeli Open University. So profound was his fascination with the beauty and utility of mathematics that, despite the digital economic boom at the time, he enrolled, as soon as he could, for the BSc program in Mathematics at the Hebrew University and continued to pursue his MSc immediately afterwards, receiving both degrees cum laude. Convinced that the distinction between pure and applied mathematics is illusory and that the abstract and the concrete form a symbiosis of endless mutual nourishment, he finds great joy in digging deep into the mathematical foundations of applied topics. The communication of mathematics is close to his heart. Occasionally he finds an angle he particularly likes, which he might explore in an article in the online journal The Conversation.

Table of Contents

1. Hilbert Space Theory - A Quick Overview.- 2. Linear Spaces.- 3. Topological Spaces.- 4. Metric Spaces.- 5. The Lebesgue Integral Following Mikusiniski.- 6. Banach Spaces.- 7. Hilbert Spaces.- 8. A Survery of mathematical structures related to Hilbert space theory.- 9. Solved Problems.

Editorial Reviews

This book introduces essential ideas and results of Hilbert space and linear operator theory to beginners in quantum physics. … The textbook is suitable for advanced undergraduate or introductory graduate courses for both physics and mathematics students.” (Michael Frank, Mathematical Reviews, August, 2015)

From the Publisher