Quantum Hamilton Jacobi Formalism

This book describes the Hamilton-Jacobi formalism of quantum mechanics, which allowscomputation of eigenvalues of quantum mechanical potential problems without solving for thewave function. The examples presented include exotic potentials such as quasi-exactly solvablemodels and Lame an dassociated Lame potentials. A careful application of boundary conditionsoffers an insight into the nature of solutions of several potential models. Advancedundergraduates having knowledge of complex variables and quantum mechanics will find thisas an interesting method to obtain the eigenvalues and eigen-functions. The discussion oncomplex zeros of the wave function gives intriguing new results which are relevant foradvanced students and young researchers. Moreover, a few open problems in research arediscussed as well, which pose a challenge to the mathematically oriented readers.

This 2004 textbook provides a pedagogical introduction to the formalism, foundations and applications of quantum mechanics. Part I covers the basic material which is necessary to understand the transition from classical to wave mechanics. Topics include classical dynamics, with emphasis on canonical transformations and the Hamilton-Jacobi equation, the Cauchy problem for the wave equation, Helmholtz equation and eikonal approximation, introduction to spin, perturbation theory and scattering theory. The Weyl quantization is presented in Part II, along with the postulates of quantum mechanics. Part III is devoted to topics such as statistical mechanics and black-body radiation, Lagrangian and phase-space formulations of quantum mechanics, and the Dirac equation. This book is intended for use as a textbook for beginning graduate and advanced undergraduate courses. It is self-contained and includes problems to aid the reader's understanding.

An explanation of how quantum processes may be visualised without ambiguity, in terms of a simple physical model.

Two dramatically different philosophical approaches to classical mechanics were proposed during the 17th - 18th centuries. Newton developed his vectorial formulation that uses time-dependent differential equations of motion to relate vector observables like force and rate of change of momentum. Euler, Lagrange, Hamilton, and Jacobi, developed powerful alternative variational formulations based on the assumption that nature follows the principle of least action. These variational formulations now play a pivotal role in science and engineering.This book introduces variational principles and their application to classical mechanics. The relative merits of the intuitive Newtonian vectorial formulation, and the more powerful variational formulations are compared. Applications to a wide variety of topics illustrate the intellectual beauty, remarkable power, and broad scope provided by use of variational principles in physics.The second edition adds discussion of the use of variational principles applied to the following topics:(1) Systems subject to initial boundary conditions(2) The hierarchy of related formulations based on action, Lagrangian, Hamiltonian, and equations of motion, to systems that involve symmetries.(3) Non-conservative systems.(4) Variable-mass systems.(5) The General Theory of Relativity.Douglas Cline is a Professor of Physics in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York.

The book provides a single compact source for undergraduate and graduate students and professional physicists who want to understand the essentials of supersymmetric quantum mechanics (SUSYQM). The text contains a large selection of examples, problems, and solutions that illustrate the fundamentals of SUSYQM and its applications. It is richly illustrated with figures and contains an attractive and relevant list of topics.

Trajectory-based formalisms are an intuitively appealing way of describing quantum processes because they allow the use of "classical" concepts. Beginning as an introductory level suitable for students, this two-volume monograph presents (1) the fundamentals and (2) the applications of the trajectory description of basic quantum processes. This second volume is focussed on simple and basic applications of quantum processes such as interference and diffraction of wave packets, tunneling, diffusion and bound-state and scattering problems. The corresponding analysis is carried out within the Bohmian framework. By stressing its interpretational aspects, the book leads the reader to an alternative and complementary way to better understand the underlying quantum dynamics.