Lectures On Quantum Theory: Mathematical And Structural Foundations

by C.J. Isham

This book is based on material taught to final-year physics undergraduates as part of the theoretical physics option at Imperial College. After a self-contained introduction to the essential ideas of vector spaces and linear operators, a bridge is built between the concepts and mathematics of classical physics, and the new mathematical framework employed in quantum mechanics. The axioms of nonrelativistic quantum theory are introduced, and shown to lead to a variety of new conceptual problems. Subjects discussed include state-vector reduction, the problem of measurement, quantum entanglement, the Kochen-Specker theorem, and the Bell inequalities. The book includes twenty-five problems with worked solutions.

Genres: Physics, Quantum Mechanics, Science, Mathematics

274 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1995

Reviews

[Tom]

This is a natural continuation from introductory "wave mechanics" textbooks like Griffiths to remedy the impression that quantum theory is nothing more than a collection of calculation tools. Nice discussions on abstract mathematical axioms of quantum mechanics and the classical realist preconception, the problem it faces going into quantum mechanics, and the anti-realist position's own problem.

[Viktor Velev]

For a philosophical take on QM, it's an ok book.

[Ahmad Hazazi]

This book provides a very comprehensive and modern mathematical approach to the very foundations of quantum theory.

I think its entire discussions is to provide a deep understanding between pragmatic or instrumentalist interpretation and realist interpretation.

Well, Chris Isham is one of the most great authority in the field of quantum gravity and foundationalsmof quantum mechanics

But it is worth to note that to read this book, the readers may require some preleminaries reading material such as the theory of vector space, theory of Hilberts space (or functional analysis) and perhpas should graps the conceptual understanding from other quantum physics textbook like Griffiths or, as I prefer, Quantum Theory by David Bohm, or else.

It is worth to read this book to those who want to further their research in quantum foundations!