Quantum Signatures of Chaos

by Fritz Haake

This textbook provides an excellent introduction to a new and rapidly developing field of research. The topics treated include a detailed exploration of the quantum aspects of nonlinear dynamics, quantum criteria to distinguish regular and irregular motion, antiunitary symmetries (generalized time reversal) and a thorough account of the quantum mechanics of dissipative systems. Each chapter is accompanied by a selection of problems which will help the student to test and deepen his/her understanding and to acquire an active command of the methods.The second edition is significantly expanded. Of the considerable theoretical progress lately achieved, the book focusses on the deeper statistical exploitation of level dynamics, improved control of semiclassical periodic-orbit expansions, and superanalytic techniques for dealing with various types of random matrices.

479 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 1991

Reviews

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

A complex, difficult, yet powerful and necessary book on a complex, difficult, yet crucial topic within the scope of physics and critical systems theory. The core of this book's focus is nonlinear dynamics, with an emphasis on antiunitary symmetries and patterns in time evolution of state vectors. For the physicist or engineer working on issues germane to these areas or any theoretical physicist working on nonlinear dynamics, this book is quite helpful. It places a variety of key aspects of quantum physics into relation with one and the other in a manner that is understandable providing you already have a basic understanding of quantum physics to start with, and while Dr. Haake is not the most engaging of writers and at times his language would benefit from a better editor, he knows his topic and is highly adept at manking connections between various topics and considerations. I hope people working in diverse areas of science outside quantum physics will perhaps read this: engineers and neuroscientists especially could take Haake's general epistemology and apply it in part to their own efforts, underscoring that quantum physics is not just for a few professors in far-off ivory towers but an underlying foundation of all the science we perform.