What's the matter with waves? : an introduction to techniques and applications of quantum mechanics / William Parkinson.

Περιλαμβάνει βιβλιογραφικές παραπομπές.

1. Introduction -- 2. Motion in matter -- 3. Vibrating matter -- 4. Rotating matter -- 5. Translating matter

6. Quantum translation -- 6.1. Stationary state wavefunctions -- 6.2. Unconstrained one-dimensional translation -- 6.3. One-dimensional translation in a box -- 6.4. Multi-dimensional translation in a box

7. Interpreting quantum mechanics -- 7.1. The probability density -- 7.2. Eigenvectors and basis sets -- 7.3. Projection operators -- 7.4. Expectation values -- 7.5. The uncertainty principle

8. Quantum rotation -- 8.1. Circular motion : the particle on a ring -- 8.2. Spherical motion : the particle on a sphere

9. Quantum vibration -- 9.1. Harmonic oscillation -- 9.2. Anharmonicity

10. Variational methods -- 10.1. Prologue -- 10.2. The variational principle -- 10.3. Determining expansion coefficients

11. Electrons in atoms -- 11.1. Rotational motion due to a central potential : the hydrogen atom -- 11.2. Properties of the hydrogen atom solutions -- 11.3. Electron spin -- 11.4. Populating many-electron atoms -- 11.5. Many-body wavefunctions -- 11.6. Antisymmetry -- 11.7. Angular momentum in many-electron atoms

12. Perturbation theory -- 12.1. Rayleigh Schrödinger perturbation theory -- 12.2. Applications of perturbation theory -- 12.3. The resolvent operator -- 12.4. Techniques for solving the sum over states equations

13. Electrons in molecules -- 13.1. The simplest molecular model : a one-electron diatomic -- 13.2. The hydrogen molecule -- 13.3. Practical information regarding calculations -- 13.4. Qualitative molecular orbital theory for homonuclear diatomics -- 13.5. The Hückel method

Appendices. -- A. Physical constants and units -- B. Calculus and trigonometry essentials.

Like rocket science or brain surgery, quantum mechanics is pigeonholed as a daunting and inaccessible topic, which is best left to an elite or peculiar few. This classification was not earned without some degree of merit. Depending on perspective; quantum mechanics is a discipline or philosophy, a convention or conundrum, an answer or question. Authors have run the gamut from hand waving to heavy handed in the hope to dispel the common beliefs about quantum mechanics, but perhaps they continue to promulgate the stigma. The focus of this particular effort is to give the reader an introduction, if not at least an appreciation, of the role that linear algebra techniques play in the practical application of quantum mechanical methods. It interlaces aspects of the classical and quantum picture, including a number of both worked and parallel applications. Students with no prior experience in quantum mechanics, motivated graduate students, or researchers in other areas attempting to gain some introduction to quantum theory will find particular interest in this book.