A First introduction to quantum physics / Pieter Kok.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Kok, Pieter, 1972- author.

Series:

Undergraduate lecture notes in physics.

Undergraduate Lecture Notes in Physics

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Mathematical physics.

Quantum theory.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (304 pages)

Edition:

Second edition.

Place of Publication:

Cham, Switzerland : Springer International Publishing AG, [2023]

Summary:

In this undergraduate textbook, now in its 2nd edition, the author develops the quantum theory from first principles based on very simple experiments: a photon traveling through beam splitters to detectors, an electron moving through magnetic fields, and an atom emitting radiation. From the physical description of these experiments follows a natural mathematical description in terms of matrices and complex numbers. The first part of the book examines how experimental facts force us to let go of some deeply held preconceptions and develops this idea into a description of states, probabilities, observables, and time evolution. The quantum mechanical principles are illustrated using applications such as gravitational wave detection, magnetic resonance imaging, atomic clocks, scanning tunneling microscopy, and many more. The first part concludes with an overview of the complete quantum theory. The second part of the book covers more advanced topics, including the concept of entanglement, the process of decoherence or how quantum systems become classical, quantum computing and quantum communication, and quantum particles moving in space. Here, the book makes contact with more traditional approaches to quantum physics. The remaining chapters delve deeply into the idea of uncertainty relations and explore what the quantum theory says about the nature of reality. The book is an ideal accessible introduction to quantum physics, tested in the classroom, with modern examples and plenty of end-of-chapter exercises.

Contents:

Chapter 1: Three simple experiments

Chapter 2: Photons and Interference

Chapter 3: Electrons with Spin

Chapter 4: Atoms and Energy

Chapter 5: Operators

Chapter 6: Entanglement

Chapter 7: Decoherence

Chapter 8: The Motion of Particles

Chapter 9: Uncertainty Relations

Chapter 10: The Nature of Reality.

Notes:

Includes index.

Description based on print version record.

Other Format:

Print version: Kok, Pieter A First Introduction to Quantum Physics

ISBN:

9783031161650

OCLC:

1374426726