Quantum Theory of Angular Momentum: Selected Topics

by K. Srinivasa Rao

The foundation for the quantum theory of angular momentum, as an integral part of quantum mechanics, was laid in the 1920's which whitnessed profound theoretical developments. For the atomic, molecular and nuclear physicist, the quantum theory of angular momentum is an indispensable and essential discipline. The discovery of new symmetries of the Clebsch-Gordan and Racah coefficients, overlooked in the course of time, provided the impetus to congently present the intimate connection between angular-momentum coefficients and the theory of generalized hypergeometric functions. Throughout this monograph, emphasis is placed on a good exposition of any aspect of the theory in order to be reliablewith respect to notations, phase factors and numerical factors. The monograph also provides complete solutions to some of the major problems of angular-momentum quantum theory. The topics selected Connection between angular-momentum coefficient, relation between angular-momentum coefficients and orthogonal polynomial, plynomial zeros of angular-momentum coefficients, numerical algorithms for the generation of polynomial zeros and the computation of angular-momentum coefficients based on sets of generalized hypergeometric functions, and q-generalizations of angular-momentum coefficients.

315 pages, Hardcover

First published August 13, 1993