Some Unusual Topics in Quantum Mechanics

by Pankaj Sharan

Overview

This second edition of Some Unusual Topics in Quantum Mechanics builds upon the topics covered in the first, with additional chapters that delve deeper into the mathematical foundations of the subject. New topics include Hilbert spaces and unbounded operators, minimum uncertainty states, path integrals in general coordinates, Fock spaces, second quantization, relativistic particle states, and quantum fields. Historical insights are also included, such as a pre-history of matrix mechanics and Pauli's proof of the H-atom spectrum using O(4) symmetry. Finally, readers are introduced to Bell's inequality and the non-locality in quantum mechanics that is revealed through its violation. These topics are rarely covered in introductory textbooks but are crucial to developing a student's interest and deeper understanding of quantum mechanics. This book serves as valuable supporting material for graduate-level core courses on the subject.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783030604189
Publisher:	Springer-Verlag New York, LLC
Publication date:	10/27/2020
Series:	SpringerBriefs in Physics
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	8 MB

About the Author

Pankaj Sharan is a professor retired from the Department of Physics at Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi. His research interests are chiefly in quantum mechanics, quantum field theory and general relativity. Over a teaching career spanning four decades, he has taught courses on quantum mechanics, quantum field theory, classical mechanics, general relativity and mathematical physics. He is the author of the book Spacetime, Geometry and Gravitation (Birkhäuser, 2009).

Table of Contents

1st edition: Position operators of non-relativistic quantum mechanics.- A bundle picture of quantum mechanics.- A beam of particles = a plane wave?.- Star-product formulation of quantum mechanics.- Can there be a non-linear quantum mechanics?.- Interaction = exchange of quanta.- Proof of Wigner's theorem. 2nd edition new topics: A very brief history of Matrix mechanics.- Hydrogen atom and O(4).- Minimum Uncertainty States.- Time Energy Uncertainty Relations?.- Force = curvature in Quantum Mechanics too!.- What is an ‘essentially self-adjoint’ operator?.- Time re-parametrization in path-integrals.- What are rigged Hilbert spaces?.- Relativistic configuration states, Dirac and Weyl equations.

Editorial Reviews

The author takes care to introduce the new concepts in a gradual manner to make it accessible to a reader accustomed only with the standard perspective. This makes the book very suitable for self-study. … A good list of references is provided for further exploration of each topic. This is a book which will greatly benefit a serious curious student of the subject. It deserves to be in any good library and also in the bookshelves of experts.” (Amitava Raychaudhuri, zbMATH 1483.81002, 2022)

From the Publisher