The Quantum Theory of Radiation

by E. R. Pike, Sarben Sarkar

Overview

This unique book presents a unified, in-depth study of phenomena in photon-matter interactions over a range of many orders of energy. It provides a thorough treatment of relativistic quantum electrodynamics from the quantum field theoretic approach, together with non-relativistic theory in both confined and unconfined geometries. The predictions of QED have been verified to a greater accuracy than any other physical theory. Moreover QED is a paradigm for other gauge theories, and it is presented in such a way that the generalization to other gauge theories is natural. Gauge and Poincare symmetry properties and the non-existence of a photon wave function are thoroughly discussed. Starting from the Dirac equation, the non-relativistic interaction of the electron with the electromagnetic field is derived as an effective Hamiltonian of multipole expansions. Succeeding chapters fully develop relativistic QED and quantum optics. The limitations of QED and the necessity of electroweak theory and quantum chromodynamics are also discussed, and the final chapters are devoted to quantum optics inside cavities, concluding with a study of highly non-classical states of the light field such as photon number, squeezed and two photon entangled states. The book includes worked examples and exercises. In addition to its wide usefulness for theoretical physicists, this volume will help workers in quantum optics to gain a deeper understanding of the foundations of their subject, and field theorists will find concrete examples of open systems, which are beginning to influence their basic approaches.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780198520320
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	02/22/1996
Series:	International Series of Monographs on Physics , #86
Pages:	354
Product dimensions:	6.44(w) x 9.50(h) x 0.97(d)

About the Author

both at King's College, University of London

Table of Contents

1. Quantization of the free Maxwell field, canonical and functional approaches2. The photon as a particle: the general one-photon state3. Electron-photon and matter-photon interactions: relativistic and non-relativistic cases4. Calculational methods for quantum electrodynamics5. Quantum electrodynamic processes6. Extensions of quantum electrodynamics7. Open systems8. Instabilities and chaos in quantum optics: semi-classical theory9. Fokker-Planck equations: quantum fluctuations10. Non-classical lightAppendix 1. Basic algebraAppendix 2. Topological structuresAppendix 3. Tensors and invariances in relativityAppendix 4. Stochastic differential equationsReferencesIndex

Editorial Reviews

"In the Oxford series of International Monographs on Physics, this book has the same title as Heitler's classic work which fuelled earlier generations of radiation theorists, before the advent of modern quantum electrodynamics. Designed as a sequel to Heitler, this book deals with quantum electrodynamics, spontaneously broken symmetries, and modern quantum optics."—CERN Courier

From the Publisher