Quantum Mechanics

by Peebles, P. J. E.

• ISBN13: 9780691087559
• ISBN10: 0691087555
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1992-03-23
• Publisher: Princeton Univ Pr

Summary

P.J.E. Peebles teaches the often counterintuitive physics of quantum mechanics by working through detailed applications of general ideas. A principal example used in the book is the hyperfine structure of atomic hydrogen (the 21 cm line): the computation of the energy splitting and the induced and spontaneous transition rates. Peebles makes room for such calculations by omitting unneeded elements that can be readily found in the standard treatises after one fully understands the principles of quantum mechanics. To give a flavor of the discovery of the remarkable world picture of quantum mechanics, the author presents a set of examples of physics that are well worth knowing even aside from their historical interest. Then the general principles of quantum mechanics are stated first in terms of wave mechanics and then in the standard abstract linear space formalism. Measurement theory, an essential part of quantum mechanics, is discussed in some detail. The book also emphasizes the art of numerical estimates. And, lastly, a large number of problems are presented, some easy, some challenging, but all selected because they are physically interesting. The book is designed for advanced undergraduates or beginning graduate students in physics.

Table of Contents

Preface
Historical Development	p. 3
Energy Quantization and Heat Capacities	p. 4
Blackbody Radiation	p. 18
Photons	p. 22
Spectra and Energy Quantization of Atoms	p. 23
Matter Waves	p. 26
Schrodinger's Equation	p. 30
Remarks on Motion in One Dimension	p. 41
Probability Interpretation	p. 48
Cold Fusion	p. 52
Momentum	p. 60
Expectation Values and the Momentum Operator	p. 70
Many-Particle Systems	p. 73
Problems	p. 82
Wave Mechanics	p. 91
Linear Space of Wave Functions	p. 91
Principles of Quantum Mechanics	p. 104
Parity	p. 115
Linear Momentum	p. 120
Orbital Angular Momentum	p. 123
Single Particle in a Central Potential	p. 139
Particle in an Electromagnetic Field	p. 146
Problems	p. 159
Abstract Linear Space of State Vectors	p. 175
Bras, Kets, and Brackets	p. 175
Principles of Quantum Mechanics	p. 188
Recovering Wave Mechanics	p. 192
Spin	p. 196
Single Spin 1/2 System	p. 204
Two Spin 1/2 Particles	p. 214
Problems	p. 223
Measurement Theory	p. 231
Quantum Measurement Theory	p. 232
"Paradoxes" of Quantum Physics	p. 242
Hidden Variables	p. 252
Summary	p. 255
Perturbation Theory	p. 259
Time-Independent Perturbation Theory	p. 259
Zeeman Effect	p. 264
Quadratic Stark Effect	p. 266
Degenerate Perturbation Theory	p. 271
Hyperfine Structure in Atomic Hydrogen	p. 273
Time-Dependent Perturbation Theory	p. 283
Induced Transitions between the Hyperfine Levels in Atomic Hydrogen	p. 288
Spontaneous Transitions between the Hyperfine Levels in Atomic Hydrogen	p. 291
Problems	p. 304
Atomic and Molecular Structure	p. 323
Energy Variational Principle	p. 323
The Ground State of Helium	p. 326
The Lowest Excited States of Helium	p. 329
Pauli Exclusion Principle	p. 333
Lithium	p. 337
Beryllium to Carbon	p. 343
Molecular Hydrogen	p. 347
Problems	p. 351
Scattering Theory	p. 359
Scattering Amplitude and Scattering Cross Section	p. 360
Optical Theorem	p. 366
Born Approximation	p. 369
Rutherford Scattering Cross Section	p. 375
Partial Wave Expansion	p. 377
Phase Shifts and Cross Sections	p. 380
Resonant s-Wave Scattering	p. 387
Problems	p. 393
Dirac Theory of the Electron	p. 401
Electron Spin, Magnetic Dipole Moment, and Spin-Orbit Coupling	p. 401
Index	p. 417
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