Quantum mechanics was developed during the first few decades of the twentieth century via a series of inspired guesses made by various physicists, including Planck, Einstein, Bohr, Schroedinger, Heisenberg, Pauli, and Dirac. All these scientists were trying to construct a self-consistent theory of microscopic dynamics that was compatible with experimental observations.The purpose of this book is to present quantum mechanics in a clear, concise, and systematic fashion, starting from the fundamental postulates, and developing the theory in as logical a manner as possible. Topics covered in the book include the fundamental postulates of quantum mechanics, angular momentum, time-independent and time-dependent perturbation theory, scattering theory, identical particles, and relativistic electron theory.

Designed for a two-semester advanced undergraduate or graduate level course, this distinctive and modern textbook provides students with the physical intuition and mathematical skills to tackle even complex problems in quantum mechanics with ease and fluency. Beginning with a detailed introduction to quantum states and Dirac notation, the book then develops the overarching theoretical framework of quantum mechanics, before explaining physical quantum mechanical properties such as angular momentum and spin. Symmetries and groups in quantum mechanics, important components of current research, are covered at length. The second part of the text focuses on applications, and includes a detailed chapter on quantum entanglement, one of the most exciting modern applications of quantum mechanics, and of key importance in quantum information and computation. Numerous exercises are interspersed throughout the text, expanding upon key concepts and further developing students’ understanding. A fully worked solutions manual and lecture slides are available for instructors.

The classic textbook on quantum mechanics from Nobel Prize–winning physicist P. J. E. Peebles This book explains the often counterintuitive physics of quantum mechanics, unlocking this key area of physics for students by enabling them to work through detailed applications of general concepts and ideas. P. J. E. Peebles states general principles first in terms of wave mechanics and then in the standard abstract linear space formalism. He offers a detailed discussion of measurement theory—an essential feature of quantum mechanics—and emphasizes the art of numerical estimates. Along the way, Peebles provides a wealth of physical examples together with numerous problems, some easy, some challenging, but all of them selected because they are physically interesting. Quantum Mechanics is an essential resource for advanced undergraduates and beginning graduate students in physics.

The important changes quantum mechanics has undergone in recent years are reflected in this approach for students. A strong narrative and over 300 worked problems lead the student from experiment, through general principles of the theory, to modern applications. Stepping through results allows students to gain a thorough understanding. Starting with basic quantum mechanics, the book moves on to more advanced theory, followed by applications, perturbation methods and special fields, and ending with developments in the field. Historical, mathematical and philosophical boxes guide the student through the theory. Unique to this textbook are chapters on measurement and quantum optics, both at the forefront of current research. Advanced undergraduate and graduate students will benefit from this perspective on the fundamental physical paradigm and its applications. Online resources including solutions to selected problems, and 200 figures, with colour versions of some figures, are available at www.cambridge.org/Auletta.

This course on quantum mechanics offers a fresh and modern approach to the field. It is a textbook on the principles of the theory, its mathematical framework and its first applications. It consistently refers to modern and practical developments, such as tunneling microscopy, quantum information, Bell inequalities, quantum cryptography, Bose-Einstein condensation and quantum astrophysics. The book contains 92 exercises with their solutions. Supplementary material on extras.springer.com contains outstanding and “easy access” Java-based simulations, which illustratively help the user to better understand how the theory actually operates. It also contains a variety of links where one can discover updated applications and further readings. A complementary book The Quantum Mechanics Solver guides students to applying the theory developed here to research problems in atomic and molecular physics, condensed matter and laser physics. 

Quantum mechanics has brought revolutionary changes in the conceptual foundations of physics and continues to shape the modern world. In this book, the author’s emphasis is on helping students comprehend the significance of the underlying principles and understand the ways the new concepts were introduced. Including many worked examples and problems, this book will be an invaluable resource for students in physics, chemistry and electrical engineering needing a clear and rigorous introduction to quantum mechanics.