BRANDT: THE PICTURE BOOK OF QUANTUM ∗MECHANICS∗ - Softcover

BRANDT, S

Softcover

ISBN 10: 047163266X ISBN 13: 9780471632665

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, 1987

Synopsis

The aim of this book is to explain the basic concepts and phenomena of quantum mechanics by means of visualisation. Computer-generated illustrations in color are used extensively throughout the text, helping to establish the relation between quantum mechanics―wave functions, interference, atomic structure, and so forth―and classical physics―point mechanics, statistical mechanics, and wave optics. Even more important, by studying the pictures in parallel with the text, readers develop an intuition for such notoriously abstract phenomena as:

• the tunnel effect 
  
• excitation and decay of metastable states 
  
• wave-packet motion within a well 
  
• systems of distinguishable and indistinguishable particles 
  
• free wave packets and scattering in 3 dimensions 
  
• angular-momentum decomposition 
  
• stationary bound states in various 3-dimensional potentials 
  
• hybrid states 
  
• Kepler motion of wave packets in the Coulomb field 
  
• spin and magnetic resonance 
  

Illustrations from experiments in a variety of fields, including chemistry, and molecular, atomic, nuclear, and particle physics, underline the basic as well as the practical importance of quantum mechanics. In the present, fourth edition all computer graphics are presented in full colour. It also contains additional physics topics such as hybridisation.

About this title

Review

From the reviews of the fourth edition:

“This book is aimed at beginners in quantum mechanics who want to gain some insight into the various physical phenomena which happen at the (sub)atomic scale, and for which no daily experience is available. It will serve as a good complement to standard textbooks of quantum mechanics since it contains many carefully produced pictures to illustrate the fundamental concepts and ideas from quantum physics––highlighting in particular how the concepts and predictions of classical mechanics are altered and supplemented by wavelike behaviors.” (Gabriel Stoltz, Mathematical Reviews, May, 2013)

About the Author

Siegmund Brandt is Emeritus Professor of Physics at the University of Siegen, Germany. 
Dr. Hans Dieter Dahmen is Professor Emeritus of Theoretical Physics at the University of Siegen, Germany.

Edition details

• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
• Publication date: 1987
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 047163266X
• ISBN 13: 9780471632665
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 306