Quantum Physics

by Eyvind H. Wichmann

Contents (each chapter ends with References for Further Study & Problems): Introduction [Scope of Quantum Physics; Atoms & Elementary Particles; Limits of Applicability of Classical Theory; Discovery of Planck's Constant; Photoelectric Effect; Problem of the Stability & Size of Atoms]; Magnitudes of Physical Quantities in Quantum Physics [Units & Physical Constant; Energy; Magnitudes Characteristic of Atomic & Molecular Physics; Most Basic Facts of Nuclear Physics; Gravitational & Electromagnetic Forces; Concerning Numerical Work; Advanced Fundamental Constants of Nature]; Energy Levels [Term Schemes; Finite Widths; Further Discussion of Levels & Term Schemes; Doppler & Collision Broadening of Spectral Lines; On the Theory of Electromagnetic Transitions]; Photons [Photon as a Particle; Compton Bremsstrahlung; Pair Creation & Annihilation; Can Photons Be Split]; Material Particles [De Broglie Waves; Theory of Diffraction in a Periodic Structure; There Is But One Planck's Constant; Can Matter Waves Be Split; Wave Equation & Superposition Principle; Vector Space of Physical States]; Uncertainty Principle & Theory of Measurements [Heisenberg's Uncertainty Relations; Measurements & Statistical Ensembles; Amplitudes & Intensities; Can the Outcome of Every Measurement Be Predictable in Principle; Polarized & Unpolarized Light]; Wave Mechanics of Schrödinger [Schrödinger's Non-Relativistic Wave Equation; Some Simple Barrier Problems; Theory of Alpha-Radioactivity; Normalization of the Wave Function]; Theory of Stationary States [Quantization as an Eigenvalue Problem; Harmonic Oscillator. Vibrational & Rotational Excitations of Molecules; Hydrogen-like Systems; Position & Momentum Variables in the Schrödinger Theory]; Elementary Particles & their Interactions [Collision Processes & Wave Picture; What Is Meant by a Particle; Basic Ideas of Quantum Field Theory; Pions & Nuclear Forces]; Appendix; Index

Genres: Physics, Science

423 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1970

About the author

Professor of Physics, UC Berkeley, since 1957, Emeritus since 1993.A.B. from Institute of Technology, Helsinki; Ph.D. from Columbia, 1956. Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Fellow, 1961-1963. Fellow, American Physical Society. Elected as a foreign member of the mathematics and physics section of the Finnish Society of Sciences and Letters in recognition for his outstanding contributions in research.