Description
An accessible introduction to advanced quantum theory, this graduate-level textbook focuses on its practical applications rather than mathematical technicalities. It treats real-life examples, from topics ranging from quantum transport to nanotechnology, to equip students with a toolbox of theoretical techniques. Beginning with second quantization, the authors illustrate its use with different condensed matter physics examples. They then explain how to quantize classical fields, with a focus on the electromagnetic field, taking students from Maxwell's equations to photons, coherent states and absorption and emission of photons. Following this is a unique master-level presentation on dissipative quantum mechanics, before the textbook concludes with a short introduction to relativistic quantum mechanics, covering the Dirac equation and a relativistic second quantization formalism. The textbook includes 70 end-of-chapter problems. Solutions to some problems are given at the end of the chapter and full solutions to all problems are available for instructors at www.cambridge.org/9780521761505.
Table of Contents
Part I. Second Quantization: 1. Elementary quantum mechanics; 2. Identical particles; 3. Second quantization; Part II. Examples: 4. Magnetism; 5. Superconductivity; 6. Superfluidity; Part III. Fields and Radiation: 7. Classical fields; 8. Quantization of fields; 9. Radiation and matter; 10. Coherent states; Part IV. Dissipative Quantum Mechanics: 11. Dissipative quantum mechanics; 12. Transitions and dissipation; Part V. Relativistic Quantum Mechanics: 13. Relativistic quantum mechanics; Index.
