Quantum Physics / Edition 1

by Michel Le Bellac, Patricia de Forcrand-Millard

Overview

Quantum physics allows us to understand the nature of the physical phenomena which govern the behavior of solids, semi-conductors, lasers, atoms, nuclei, subnuclear particles and light. In Quantum Physics, Le Bellac provides a thoroughly modern approach to this fundamental theory. Throughout the book, Le Bellac teaches the fundamentals of quantum physics using an original approach which relies primarily on an algebraic treatment and on the systematic use of symmetry principles. In addition to the standard topics such as one-dimensional potentials, angular momentum and scattering theory, the reader is introduced to more recent developments at an early stage. These include a detailed account of entangled states and their applications, the optical Bloch equations, the theory of laser cooling and of magneto-optical traps, vacuum Rabi oscillations and an introduction to open quantum systems. This is a textbook for a modern course on quantum physics, written for advanced undergraduate and graduate students.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781107602762
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	12/01/2011
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	606
Product dimensions:	6.90(w) x 9.70(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

Michel Le Bellac is Emeritus Professor at the University of Nice and a well-known elementary particle theorist. He graduated from the École Normale Supérieure in 1962, before conducting research with CNRS. In 1967 he returned to the University of Nice and was appointed Full Professor of Physics in 1971, a position he held for over 30 years. His main fields of research have been the theory of elementary particles and field theory at finite temperatures. He has published four other books in French and three other books in English, including Thermal Field Theory (Cambridge University Press, 1996) and Equilibrium and Non-equilibrium Statistical Thermodynamics (with Fabrice Mortessagne and G. George Bartouni, Cambridge University Press, 2004).

Table of Contents

1. Introduction; 2. Mathematics of quantum mechanics I: finite dimension; 3. Polarization: photons and spin 1/2 particles; 4. Postulates of quantum mechanics; 5. Systems with a finite number of levels; 6. Entangled states; 7. Mathematics of quantum mechanics II: infinite dimension; 8. Symmetries in quantum physics; 9. Wave mechanics; 10. Angular momentum; 11. The harmonic oscillator; 12. Elementary scattering theory; 13. Identical particles; 14. Atomic physics; 15. Open quantum systems; Appendices; References.

Editorial Reviews

Review of the French edition: 'This new text comes closest to the contemporary heart of the discipline and I cannot recommend it strongly enough to everyone interested in quantum mechanics, and especially students and teachers … this text is the best one available for a course designed to expose students to the role played by quantum mechanics in today's world.' Edouard Brézin, Bulletin de la Société Francaise de Physique

Review of the French edition: 'I greatly admire the effort made by the author to give the reader such a modern and compelling view of quantum physics … I am sure that this text will lead to a better comprehension of quantum physics and will stimulate greater interest in this absolutely central discipline. I would like to thank Michel Le Bellac for this important contribution which will certainly give physics a more exciting image.' Claude Cohen-Tannoudji

Review of the French edition: 'Throughout the book, Le Bellac teaches the fundamentals of quantum physics using an original approach that relies primarily on an algebraic treatment, and on the systematic use of symmetry principles. This is a textbook for a modern course on quantum physics, written for advanced undergraduate and graduate scientists.' L'enseignement mathematique

'This book is well written and the author speaks with authority on the subject.' Contemporary Physics

From the Publisher