Quantum mechanics : classical results, modern systems and visualized examples

Many of the familiar aspects of non-relativistic quantum mechanics were developed almost three quarters of a century ago, but the central role played by quantum physics in determining the properties of matter guarantees that new applications of the basic principles will continue to appear. Because the phenomena described by quantum theory are often remote from our daily existence, our intuition about the nature of quantum systems must be built up from sources other than direct experience; the visual display of quantitative information and qualitative ideas can play just as important a role in this learning process as do formal mathematical methods. Quantum Mechanics: Classical Results, Modern Systems, and Visualized Examples provides the student with a thorough background in the machinery of undergraduate quantum mechanics, with many examples taken from classic experiments in atomic, nuclear, and elementary particle physics. In addition, the use of visualization is heavily emphasized throughout. The text also includes several other valuable features: emphasis on the classical limit of quantum mechanics and wavepackets; enhanced presentation of momentum-space methods; increased emphasis on numerical and approximation techniques; separate chapters on classical wave phenomena and probability/statistics to provide needed background, as well as an appendix on classical Hamiltonian theory; a chapter devoted to two-dimensional quantum systems, designed to make contact with modern surface physics; this includes a brief discussion of classical and quantum chaos; and many new problems as well as questions in which the student is asked to explore more conceptual aspects of the material.