"Rates with Dirac's book as one of the best expositions of quantum theory available in the English language." — American Scientist "A fine translation of a remarkable book, which is recommended to every serious student of theoretical physics." — F. J. Belinfante, Science "Full and leisurely development ... detailed without being tedious ... This is a book that all who study quantum theory will want to read." — J. Polkinghorne, Physics Today "Throughout one is conscious of being under the guidance of someone who has thought very deeply and carefully about all th... Read More
Format: Paperback
"Rates with Dirac's book as one of the best expositions of quantum theory available in the English language." — American Scientist "A fine translation of a remarkable book, which is recommended to every serious student of theoretical physics." — F. J. Belinfante, Science "Full and leisurely development ... detailed without being tedious ... This is a book that all who study quantum theory will want to read." — J. Polkinghorne, Physics Today "Throughout one is conscious of being under the guidance of someone who has thought very deeply and carefully about all th... Read More
Description
"Rates with Dirac's book as one of the best expositions of quantum theory available in the English language." — American Scientist "A fine translation of a remarkable book, which is recommended to every serious student of theoretical physics." — F. J. Belinfante, Science "Full and leisurely development ... detailed without being tedious ... This is a book that all who study quantum theory will want to read." — J. Polkinghorne, Physics Today "Throughout one is conscious of being under the guidance of someone who has thought very deeply and carefully about all the various aspects of quantum theory, and who is able to express his ideas in a most stimulating and lucid way." — K. W. H. Stevens, Proceedings of the Physical Society A masterful treatment of quantum theory, this classic work develops the subject's most important concepts from experimental evidence and from theory related to the wave nature of free particles. The first half shows how the classical mechanics of point particles can be generalized into a consistent quantum mechanics; the second part deals with extensions of quantum theory needed for problems of atomic and molecular structure. Suitable for advanced undergraduates and graduate students in physics as well as historians of modern science, this universally praised translation will be a valuable addition to any physical science library.
First published: North-Holland, 1957.
Edition Dover first reprinted in 1964--The second printing of the first edition, 1958.
2017: Unabridged and unaltered republication of the first Dover paperback edition of 1964.
Details
Price: $29.95
Pages: 512
Publisher: Dover Publications
Imprint: Dover Publications
Series: Dover Books on Physics
Publication Date: 16th May 2018
Trim Size: 5.5 x 8.5 in
Illustration Note: 14 Figures
ISBN: 9780486824734
Format: Paperback
BISACs: SCIENCE / Physics / Quantum Theory
Author Bio
Rotterdam native H. A. Kramers (1894–1952) studied under Niels Bohr in Copenhagen during World War I and received his Ph.D. from Leiden after the war. He taught at Copenhagen, Utrecht, and the Delft University of Technology.
Table of Contents
Preface Translator's Preface Contents Glossary of Symbols PART ONE: THE FOUNDATIONS OF QUANTUM THEORY Introduction I. Quantom theory of free particles 1. Mass points in classical physics 2. The de Broglie quantum postulate for free mass particles 3. Superposition of de Brogle waves 4. Properties of special wave-packets 5. The Heisenberg relations 6. The approximate validity of Newton's first law 7. The quantitative formulation of probability laws 8. The Schrödinger wave equation 9. The quantum theory of free particles and the laws of conservation of momentum and energy II. Non-relativistic quantum theory of bound particles. 10. Bound particles in classical physics 11. The Schrödinger equation and its connexion with Hamilton equation 12. The motion of wave groups under the influence of external forces 13. The physical meaning of the wave function 14. Probability density and probability current density 15. The momentum probability distribution 16. The uncertainty relations; the uncertainty in energy 17. Energy eigenvalues and eigenfunctions 18. Stationary states 19. The superposition principle in quantum mechanics 20. The representation of an arbitrary physical situation as the superposition of stationary states 21. Degenerate stationary states; degree of degeneracy 22. Unnormalisable eigenfunctions of free particle 23. Improper stationary states in an external field of force 24. General discussion of eigenvalues and eigen functions 25. Charged particles in and electromagnetic field III. The non-relativistic treatment of the many-body problem 26. The two-body problem 27. The Schrödinger equation of many interacting particles 28. The interpretation of the wave function 29. Operators 30. The generalised Ehrenfest theorem 31. The conservation of momentum 32. Stationary states 33. The law of conservation of energy; casuality in quantum mechanics IV. Transformation Theory A. General theory 34. Coordinate transformations 35. The definability of mechanical quantities 36. Eigenvalues and eigenfunctions corresponding to and observable 37. Eigenvalues and eigenfunctions of finite Hermitean matrices 38. The eigenfunctions of commuting Hermitean operators 39. The distribution function of an observable; probability amplitudes 40. Transformation of functions 41. Transformation of operators; matrix representation of an observable 42. The transformed Schrödinger equation 43. The time dependence of observables B. Examples 44. The probability distribution of coordinates and momenta; the probability current density 45. The eigenvalues and eigenfunctions of the angular momentum 46. A particle in a central field of force; the hydrogen atom V. Perturbation theory 47. Introduction 48. The perturbation of a non-degenerate discrete stationary state 49. The perturbation of a degenerate discrete stationary state 50. Perturbation theory and infinitesimal transformations 51. Method of approximate solutions; the variational principle 52. Expectation values and time averages 53. The method of the variation of constants 54. Variable fields of force; adiabatic theorem 55. Time proportional transition probabilities PART TWO: QUANTUM THEORY OF THE ELECTRON AND OF RADIATION VI. The spinning electron A. Non-relativistic spin theory 56. Uhlenbeck and Goudsmit's hypothesis of the rotating magnetic electron 57. The classical description of the motion of a spinning electron 58. The non-relativistic quantum mechanical treatment of spin 59. The spinning electron in a central field of force 60. Many electron systems 61. Spinors and rotations in space 62. Gauge transformations B. Relativistic spin theory 63. Relativistic spinor calculus 64. Derivation of the Dirac equations 65. Discussion of the Dirac equations 66. The electron in a central field of force according to the Dirac theory VII. The exclusion principle 67. The Pauli principle of electrons 68. Exclusion principles for other equivalent particles 69. Permutations 70. Stationary states of several independent electrons in a common field of force; the shell structure of the atom 71. Quantum theory of N-electron systems 72. Formulation of the many particle problem independent of the number of particles 73. Systems with two electrons without spin forces 74. Systems with two electrons with spin forces 75. Analysis of multiplet situations in the N-electron problem 76. Rotations and angular momentum operators 77. Multiplet situations (continued) 78. Stationary states of N-electron systems without spin forces 79. N-electron systems with spin forces; Russell-Saunders coupling 80. Coupling of many electron systems; homopolar chemical bonds VIII. Electromagnetic radiation 81. Quantum theory of radiation and quantum electrodynamics 82. The unquantised radiation field; absorption of radiation 83. The insufficiency of an unquantised radiation theory; classical theory of the emission of radiation 84. "The "semi-classical" theory of spontaneous transitions" 85. Emission of radiation and correspondence principle 86. The radiation field in vacuo as a canonical system 87. Quantisation of the radiation field; light quanta 88. Field theory
"Rates with Dirac's book as one of the best expositions of quantum theory available in the English language." — American Scientist "A fine translation of a remarkable book, which is recommended to every serious student of theoretical physics." — F. J. Belinfante, Science "Full and leisurely development ... detailed without being tedious ... This is a book that all who study quantum theory will want to read." — J. Polkinghorne, Physics Today "Throughout one is conscious of being under the guidance of someone who has thought very deeply and carefully about all the various aspects of quantum theory, and who is able to express his ideas in a most stimulating and lucid way." — K. W. H. Stevens, Proceedings of the Physical Society A masterful treatment of quantum theory, this classic work develops the subject's most important concepts from experimental evidence and from theory related to the wave nature of free particles. The first half shows how the classical mechanics of point particles can be generalized into a consistent quantum mechanics; the second part deals with extensions of quantum theory needed for problems of atomic and molecular structure. Suitable for advanced undergraduates and graduate students in physics as well as historians of modern science, this universally praised translation will be a valuable addition to any physical science library.
First published: North-Holland, 1957.
Edition Dover first reprinted in 1964--The second printing of the first edition, 1958.
2017: Unabridged and unaltered republication of the first Dover paperback edition of 1964.
Price: $29.95
Pages: 512
Publisher: Dover Publications
Imprint: Dover Publications
Series: Dover Books on Physics
Publication Date: 16th May 2018
Trim Size: 5.5 x 8.5 in
Illustrations Note: 14 Figures
ISBN: 9780486824734
Format: Paperback
BISACs: SCIENCE / Physics / Quantum Theory
Rotterdam native H. A. Kramers (1894–1952) studied under Niels Bohr in Copenhagen during World War I and received his Ph.D. from Leiden after the war. He taught at Copenhagen, Utrecht, and the Delft University of Technology.
Preface Translator's Preface Contents Glossary of Symbols PART ONE: THE FOUNDATIONS OF QUANTUM THEORY Introduction I. Quantom theory of free particles 1. Mass points in classical physics 2. The de Broglie quantum postulate for free mass particles 3. Superposition of de Brogle waves 4. Properties of special wave-packets 5. The Heisenberg relations 6. The approximate validity of Newton's first law 7. The quantitative formulation of probability laws 8. The Schrödinger wave equation 9. The quantum theory of free particles and the laws of conservation of momentum and energy II. Non-relativistic quantum theory of bound particles. 10. Bound particles in classical physics 11. The Schrödinger equation and its connexion with Hamilton equation 12. The motion of wave groups under the influence of external forces 13. The physical meaning of the wave function 14. Probability density and probability current density 15. The momentum probability distribution 16. The uncertainty relations; the uncertainty in energy 17. Energy eigenvalues and eigenfunctions 18. Stationary states 19. The superposition principle in quantum mechanics 20. The representation of an arbitrary physical situation as the superposition of stationary states 21. Degenerate stationary states; degree of degeneracy 22. Unnormalisable eigenfunctions of free particle 23. Improper stationary states in an external field of force 24. General discussion of eigenvalues and eigen functions 25. Charged particles in and electromagnetic field III. The non-relativistic treatment of the many-body problem 26. The two-body problem 27. The Schrödinger equation of many interacting particles 28. The interpretation of the wave function 29. Operators 30. The generalised Ehrenfest theorem 31. The conservation of momentum 32. Stationary states 33. The law of conservation of energy; casuality in quantum mechanics IV. Transformation Theory A. General theory 34. Coordinate transformations 35. The definability of mechanical quantities 36. Eigenvalues and eigenfunctions corresponding to and observable 37. Eigenvalues and eigenfunctions of finite Hermitean matrices 38. The eigenfunctions of commuting Hermitean operators 39. The distribution function of an observable; probability amplitudes 40. Transformation of functions 41. Transformation of operators; matrix representation of an observable 42. The transformed Schrödinger equation 43. The time dependence of observables B. Examples 44. The probability distribution of coordinates and momenta; the probability current density 45. The eigenvalues and eigenfunctions of the angular momentum 46. A particle in a central field of force; the hydrogen atom V. Perturbation theory 47. Introduction 48. The perturbation of a non-degenerate discrete stationary state 49. The perturbation of a degenerate discrete stationary state 50. Perturbation theory and infinitesimal transformations 51. Method of approximate solutions; the variational principle 52. Expectation values and time averages 53. The method of the variation of constants 54. Variable fields of force; adiabatic theorem 55. Time proportional transition probabilities PART TWO: QUANTUM THEORY OF THE ELECTRON AND OF RADIATION VI. The spinning electron A. Non-relativistic spin theory 56. Uhlenbeck and Goudsmit's hypothesis of the rotating magnetic electron 57. The classical description of the motion of a spinning electron 58. The non-relativistic quantum mechanical treatment of spin 59. The spinning electron in a central field of force 60. Many electron systems 61. Spinors and rotations in space 62. Gauge transformations B. Relativistic spin theory 63. Relativistic spinor calculus 64. Derivation of the Dirac equations 65. Discussion of the Dirac equations 66. The electron in a central field of force according to the Dirac theory VII. The exclusion principle 67. The Pauli principle of electrons 68. Exclusion principles for other equivalent particles 69. Permutations 70. Stationary states of several independent electrons in a common field of force; the shell structure of the atom 71. Quantum theory of N-electron systems 72. Formulation of the many particle problem independent of the number of particles 73. Systems with two electrons without spin forces 74. Systems with two electrons with spin forces 75. Analysis of multiplet situations in the N-electron problem 76. Rotations and angular momentum operators 77. Multiplet situations (continued) 78. Stationary states of N-electron systems without spin forces 79. N-electron systems with spin forces; Russell-Saunders coupling 80. Coupling of many electron systems; homopolar chemical bonds VIII. Electromagnetic radiation 81. Quantum theory of radiation and quantum electrodynamics 82. The unquantised radiation field; absorption of radiation 83. The insufficiency of an unquantised radiation theory; classical theory of the emission of radiation 84. "The "semi-classical" theory of spontaneous transitions" 85. Emission of radiation and correspondence principle 86. The radiation field in vacuo as a canonical system 87. Quantisation of the radiation field; light quanta 88. Field theory