Consistent Quantum Theory

A clear and accessible presentation of quantum theory, suitable for researchers yet accessible to graduates.

Robert B. Griffiths (Author)

9780521539296, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 13 November 2003

408 pages, 42 b/w illus.
25.2 x 18.5 x 2.5 cm, 0.71 kg

'For people who enjoy learning by example, this will be a joy to read. This book is the first introductory treatment of the consistent histories approach and what better way of learning it than to learn straight form the horses mouth.' Contemporary Physics

Quantum mechanics is one of the most fundamental yet difficult subjects in physics. Nonrelativistic quantum theory is presented here in a clear and systematic fashion, integrating Born's probabilistic interpretation with Schrödinger dynamics. Basic quantum principles are illustrated with simple examples requiring no mathematics beyond linear algebra and elementary probability theory. The quantum measurement process is consistently analyzed using fundamental quantum principles without referring to measurement. These same principles are used to resolve several of the paradoxes that have long perplexed physicists, including the double slit and Schrödinger's cat. The consistent histories formalism used here was first introduced by the author, and extended by M. Gell-Mann, J. Hartle and R. Omnès. Essential for researchers yet accessible to advanced undergraduate students in physics, chemistry, mathematics, and computer science, this book is supplementary to standard textbooks. It will also be of interest to physicists and philosophers working on the foundations of quantum mechanics.

1. Introduction
2. Wave functions
3. Linear algebra in Dirac notation
4. Physical properties
5. Probabilities and physical variables
6. Composite systems and tensor products
7. Unitary dynamics
8. Stochastic histories
9. The Born rule
10. Consistent histories
11. Checking consistency
12. Examples of consistent families
13. Quantum interference
14. Dependent (contextual) events
15. Density matrices
16. Quantum reasoning
17. Measurements I
18. Measurements II
19. Coins and counterfactuals
20. Delayed choice paradox
21. Indirect measurement paradox
22. Incompatibility paradoxes
23. Singlet state correlations
24. EPR paradox and Bell inequalities
25. Hardy's paradox
26. Decoherence and the classical limit
27. Quantum theory and reality
Bibliography.

Subject Areas: Atomic & molecular physics [PHM], Physics [PH], Philosophy of science [PDA]