Principles of Quantum Mechanics

Originally published in 1937, this book aims 'to develop the principles of quantum mechanics on the basis of a few standard observations'.

Alfred Landé (Author)

9781107667839, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 17 October 2013

132 pages
21.6 x 14 x 0.8 cm, 0.18 kg

Originally published in 1937, this book by renowned physicist Alfred Landé aims 'to develop the principles of quantum mechanics on the basis of a few standard observations'. Landé notes that, in contrast with classical mechanics, quantum mechanics is still a relatively young science with some way to go before it is internally consistent. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in the history of physics and quantum mechanics.

Preface
Introduction: 1. Observation and interpretation
2. Difficulties of the classical theories
3. The purpose of quantum theory
Part I. Elementary Theory of Observation (Principle of Complementarity): 4. Refraction in inhomogeneous media (force fields)
5. Scattering of charged rays
6. Refraction and reflection at a plane
7. Absolute values of momentum and wave length
8. Double ray of matter diffracting light waves
9. Double ray of matter diffracting photons
10. Microscopic observation of ? (x) and ? (p)
11. Complementarity
12. Mathematical relation between ? (x) and ? (p) for free particles
13. General relation between ? (q) and ? (p)
14. Crystals
15. Transition density and transition probability
16. Resultant values of physical functions
matrix elements
17. Pulsating density
18. General relation between ? (t) and ? (?)
19. Transition density
matrix elements
Part II. The Principle of Uncertainty: 20. Optical observation of density in matter packets
21. Distribution of momenta in matter packets
22. Mathematical relation between ? and ?
23. Causality
24. Uncertainty
25. Uncertainty due to optical observation
26. Dissipation of matter packets
rays in Wilson Chamber
27. Density maximum in time
28. Uncertainty of energy and time
29. Compton effect
30. Bothe–Geiger and Compton–Simon experiments
31. Doppler effect
Raman effect
32. Elementary bundles of rays
33. Jeans' number of degrees of freedom
34. Uncertainty of electromagnetic field components
Part III. The Principle of Interference and Schrödinger's equation: 35. Physical functions
36. Interference of probabilities for p and q
37. General interference of probabilities
38. Differential equations for ?p (q) and Xq (p)
39. Differential equation for ?? (q)
40. The general probability amplitude ??' (Q)
41. Point transformations
42. General theorem of interference
43. Conjugate variables
44. Schrödinger's equation for conservative systems
45. Schrödinger's equation for non-conservative systems
46. Pertubation theory
47. Orthogonality, normalization and Hermitian conjugacy
48. General matrix elements
Part IV. The Principle of Correspondence: 49. Contact transformations in classical mechanics
50. Point transformations
51. Contact transformations in quantum mechanics
52. Constants of motion and angular co-ordinates
53. Periodic orbits
54. De Broglie and Schrödinger function
correspondence to classical mechanics
55. Packets of probability
56. Correspondence to hydrodynamics
57. Motion and scattering of wave packets
58. Formal correspondence between classical and quantum mechanics
Part V. Mathematical Appendix: Principle of Invariance: 59. The general theorem of transformation
60. Operator calculus
61. Exchange relations
three criteria for conjugacy
62. First method of canonical transformation
63. Second method of canonical transformation
64. Proof of the transformation theorem
65. Invariance of the matrix elements against unitary transformations
66. Matrix mechanics
Index of literature
Index of names and subjects.

Subject Areas: Quantum physics [quantum mechanics & quantum field theory PHQ]