Quantum Mechanics for Scientists and Engineers

Relates the core principles of quantum mechanics to practical applications in engineering, physics, and nanotechnology.

David A. B. Miller (Author)

9780521897839, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 21 April 2008

568 pages, 73 b/w illus.
26 x 18.3 x 3.2 cm, 1.15 kg

'I think this is an excellent book. It will become my standard reference for text for quantum mechanics and I will expect to see it on the shelves of my PhD students as well as undergraduate students. If students want to find one book that that will serve as both an introductory and future reference text on quantum mechanics, condensed matter and quantum optics they should buy this one.' Gareth Parry, Imperial College London

If you need a book that relates the core principles of quantum mechanics to modern applications in engineering, physics, and nanotechnology, this is it. Students will appreciate the book's applied emphasis, which illustrates theoretical concepts with examples of nanostructured materials, optics, and semiconductor devices. The many worked examples and more than 160 homework problems help students to problem solve and to practise applications of theory. Without assuming a prior knowledge of high-level physics or classical mechanics, the text introduces Schrödinger's equation, operators, and approximation methods. Systems, including the hydrogen atom and crystalline materials, are analyzed in detail. More advanced subjects, such as density matrices, quantum optics, and quantum information, are also covered. Practical applications and algorithms for the computational analysis of simple structures make this an ideal introduction to quantum mechanics for students of engineering, physics, nanotechnology, and other disciplines. Additional resources available from www.cambridge.org/9780521897839.

How to use this book
1. Introduction
2. Waves and quantum mechanics – Schrödinger's equation
3. The time-dependent Schrödinger equation
4. Functions and operators
5. Operators and quantum mechanics
6. Approximation methods in quantum mechanics
7. Time-dependent perturbation theory
8. Quantum mechanics in crystalline materials
9. Angular momentum
10. The hydrogen atom
11. Methods for one-dimensional problems
12. Spin
13. Identical particles
14. The density matrix
15. Harmonic oscillators and photons
16. Fermion operators
17. Interaction of different kinds of particles
18. Quantum information
19. Interpretation of quantum mechanics
Appendices: A. Background mathematics
B. Background physics
C. Vector calculus
D. Maxwell's equations and electromagnetism
E. Perturbing Hamiltonian for optical absorption
F. Early history of quantum mechanics
G. Some useful mathematical formulae
H. Greek alphabet
I. Fundamental constants
Bibliography
Memorization list.

Subject Areas: Electronic devices & materials [TJFD], Electronics engineering [TJF], Quantum physics [quantum mechanics & quantum field theory PHQ], Optical physics [PHJ]