The Physics of Ettore Majorana
Theoretical, Mathematical, and Phenomenological

A unique volume exploring Majorana's work, for graduate students and researchers interested in the history of science.

Salvatore Esposito (Author)

9781107044029, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 11 December 2014

393 pages, 15 b/w illus.
25.5 x 18 x 2 cm, 0.93 kg

'… the perfect guided tour through his brief but prolific career.' Salvatore Esposito, Physics Today

Through just a handful of papers, Ettore Majorana left an indelible mark in the fields of physics, mathematics, computer science and even economics before his mysterious disappearance in 1938. It is only now that the importance of Majorana's work is being realised: Majorana fermions are intensely studied today, and his work on neutrino physics has provided possible explanations for the existence of dark matter. In this unique volume, Salvatore Esposito explores not only Majorana's known papers but, even more interestingly, unveils his unpublished works as well. These include powerful methods and results, ranging from the atomic two-centre problem, the Thomas–Fermi model and ferromagnetism to quasi-stationary states, n-component relativistic wave equations and quantum scalar electrodynamics. Featuring biographical notes and contributions from leading experts Evgeny Akhmedov and Nobel Laureate Frank Wilczek, this fascinating book will captivate graduate students and researchers interested in frontier science as well as in the history of science.

Part I. Introducing the Character: 1. Life and myth
2. The visible side
Part II. Atomic Physics: 3. Two-electron problem
4. Thomas–Fermi model
Part III. Nuclear and Statistical Physics: 5. Quasi-stationary nuclear states
6. Theory of ferromagnetism
Part IV. Relativistic Fields and Group Theory
7. Groups and their applications to quantum mechanics
8. Dirac equations and some alternatives
Part V. Quantum Field Theory: 9. Scalar electrodynamics
10. Photons and electrons
Part VI. Fundamental Theories and Other Topics: 11. A 'path integral' approach to quantum mechanics
12. Fundamental lengths and times
13. Some more
Part VII. Beyond Majorana: 14. Majorana and condensed matter physics
15. Majorana neutrinos and other Majorana particles
Appendix
References
Index.

Subject Areas: Physics [PH], History of science [PDX], Mathematics & science [P]