Problems In Quantum Mechanics

A comprehensive collection of problems of varying degrees of difficulty in nonrelativistic quantum mechanics, with answers and completely worked-out solutions. An ideal adjunct to any textbook in quantum mechanics.

This second edition of an extremely well-received book presents more than 250 nonrelativistic quantum mechanics problems of varying difficulty with the aim of providing students didactic material of proven value, allowing them to test their comprehension and mastery of each subject. The coverage is extremely broad, from themes related to the crisis of classical physics through achievements within the framework of modern atomic physics to lively debated, intriguing aspects relating to, for example, the EPR paradox, the Aharonov-Bohm effect, and quantum teleportation. Compared with the first edition, a variety of improvements have been made and additional topics of interest included, especially focusing on elementary potential scattering. The problems themselves range from standard and straightforward ones to those that are complex but can be considered essential because they address questions of outstanding importance or aspects typically overlooked in primers. The book offers students both an excellent tool for independent learning and a ready-reference guide they can return to later in their careers.

Written by a pair of distinguished Soviet mathematicians, this compilation presents 160 lucidly expressed problems in nonrelativistic quantum mechanics plus completely worked-out solutions. Some were drawn from the authors' courses at the Moscow Institute of Engineering, but most were prepared especially for this book. A high-level supplement rather than a primary text, it constitutes a masterful complement to advanced undergraduate and graduate texts and courses in quantum mechanics. The mathematics employed in the proofs of the problems—asymptotic expansions of functions, Green's functions, use of different representation spaces, and simple limiting cases—are detailed and comprehensive. Virtually no space is devoted to the physical statements underlying the problems, since this is usually covered in books on quantum mechanics. Teachers and students will find this volume particularly valuable in terms of its advanced mathematics and detailed presentations, its coverage of scattering theory, and its helpful graphs and explanatory figures.

Many students find quantum mechanics conceptually difficult when they first encounter the subject. In this book, the postulates and key applications of quantum mechanics are well illustrated by means of a carefully chosen set of problems, complete with detailed, step-by-step solutions. Beginning with a chapter on orders of magnitude, a variety of topics are then covered, including the mathematical foundations of quantum mechanics, Schrödinger's equation, angular momentum, the hydrogen atom, the harmonic oscillator, spin, time-independent and time-dependent perturbation theory, the variational method, multielectron atoms, transitions and scattering. Throughout, the physical interpretation or application of certain results is highlighted, thereby providing useful insights into a wide range of systems and phenomena. This approach will make the book invaluable to anyone taking an undergraduate course in quantum mechanics.

Single-volume account of methods used in dealing with the many-body problem and the resulting physics. Single-particle approximations, second quantization, many-body perturbation theory, Fermi fluids, superconductivity, many-boson systems, more. Each chapter contains well-chosen problems. Only prerequisite is basic understanding of elementary quantum mechanics. 1967 edition.

International Series in Natural Philosophy, Volume 30: Problems in Quantum Mechanics focuses on the processes, principles, reactions, and methodologies involved in quantum mechanics. The publication first elaborates on the mathematical formalism of quantum mechanics, simple quantum systems, and mean values and uncertainty relations. Discussions focus on mean values of dynamical variables, uncertainty relations, eigenfunctions and the energy spectrum, motion in a central field, matrix representation of vectors and operators, Hubert spaces, and operators in Hilbert space. The text then takes a look at mean values and uncertainty relations, semi-classical approximation, and pictures and representations. The book takes a look at orbital angular momentum and spin, systems of identical particles, and perturbation theory. Topics include variational method, stationary state perturbation theory, isotopic spin, second quantization, properties of angular momentum operators, and angular momentum and rotations of coordinate axes. The manuscript also ponders on functions used in quantum mechanics, relativistic quantum mechanics, and radiation theory. The publication is a dependable reference for researchers interested in quantum mechanics.

The material for these volumes has been selected from 20 years of examination questions for graduate students at the University of California at Berkeley, Columbia University, University of Chicago, MIT, SUNY at Buffalo, Princeton University and the University of ...

For many physicists quantum theory contains strong conceptual difficulties, while for others the apparent conclusions about the reality of our physical world and the ways in which we discover that reality remain philosophically unacceptable. This book focuses on recent theoretical and experimental developments in the foundations of quantum physics, including topics such as the puzzles and paradoxes which appear when general relativity and quantum mechanics are combined; the emergence of classical properties from quantum mechanics; stochastic electrodynamics; EPR experiments and Bell's Theorem; the consistent histories approach and the problem of datum uniqueness in quantum mechanics; non-local measurements and teleportation of quantum states; quantum non-demolition measurements in optics and matter wave properties observed by neutron, electron and atomic interferometry. Audience: This volume is intended for graduate students of physics and those interested in the foundations of quantum theory.