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A First Introduction to Quantum Physics

In this undergraduate textbook, the author develops the quantum theory from first principles based on very simple experiments: a photon travelling through beam splitters to detectors, an electron moving through a Stern-Gerlach machine, and an atom emitting radiation. From the physical description of...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Kok, Pieter
Format: eBook
Language:English
Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 2018, 2018
Edition:1st ed. 2018
Series:Undergraduate Lecture Notes in Physics
Subjects:
String Theory
Mathematical Methods In Physics
Quantum Field Theory
Quantum Physics
Mathematical Physics
Physics
Mathematical Applications In The Physical Sciences
Quantum Field Theories, String Theory
Online Access:
Collection: Springer eBooks 2005- - Collection details see MPG.ReNa
Table of Contents:
  • Chapter 1: Three simple experiments
  • The purpose of physical theories
  • A laser and a detector
  • A laser and a beam splitter
  • A Mach-Zehnder interferometer
  • The breakdown of classical concepts
  • Chapter 2: Photons and Interference
  • Photon paths and superpositions
  • The beam splitter as a matrix
  • The phase in an interferometer
  • How to calculate probabilities
  • Gravitational wave detection
  • Chapter 3: Electrons with Spin
  • The Stern-Gerlach experiment
  • The spin observable
  • The Bloch sphere
  • The uncertainty principle
  • Magnetic resonance imaging
  • Chapter 4: Atoms and Energy
  • The energy spectrum of atoms
  • Changes over time
  • The Hamiltonian
  • Interactions
  • Atomic clocks
  • Chapter 5: Operators
  • Eigenvalue problems
  • Observables
  • Evolution
  • The commutator
  • Projectors
  • Chapter 6: Entanglement
  • The state of two electrons
  • Entanglement
  • Quantum teleportation
  • Quantum computers
  • Chapter 7: Decoherence
  • Classical and quantum uncertainty
  • The density matrix
  • Interactions with the environment
  • Entropy and Landauer’s principle
  • Chapter 8: The Motion of Particles
  • A particle in a box
  • The momentum of a particle
  • The energy of a particle
  • The scanning tunneling microscope
  • Chemistry
  • Chapter 9: Uncertainty Relations
  • Quantum uncertainty revisited
  • Position-momentum uncertainty
  • The energy-time uncertainty relation
  • The quantum mechanical pendulum
  • Precision measurements
  • Chapter 10: The Nature of Reality
  • The emergent classical world
  • The quantum state revisited
  • Nonlocality
  • Contextuality
  • A compendium of interpretations

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