2nd Edition

Quantum Principles and Particles, Second Edition

By Walter Wilcox Copyright 2020
    600 Pages
    by CRC Press

    600 Pages
    by CRC Press

    This textbook offers a unique introduction to quantum mechanics progressing gradually from elementary quantum mechanics to aspects of particle physics. It presents the microscopic world by analysis of the simplest possible quantum mechanical system (spin 1/2). A special feature is the author’s use of visual aids known as process diagrams, which show how amplitudes for quantum mechanical processes are computed. The second edition includes a new chapter and problems on time-dependent processes, in addition to new material on quantum computing and improved illustrations.

    Key Features:

    • Provides a completely updated text with expanded contents.
    • Includes a brand new chapter on time-dependent processes and expanded coverage of recent developments in particle physics.
    • Emphasizes a visual approach employing process diagrams and utilizing new figures.
    • Incorporates quantum information theory in a new appendix, with other helpful supplements on notation, lattice models, weak flavor mixing, and numerical simulations.

     

     

    SECTION I QUANTUM PRINCIPLES

    1 Perspective and Principles

    2 Particle Motion in One Dimension

    3 Some One-Dimensional Solutions to the Schrödinger Equation

    4 Hilbert Space and Unitary Transformations

    5 Three Static Approximation Methods

    6 Generalization to Three Dimensions

    SECTION II QUANTUM PARTICLES

    7 The Three-Dimensional Radial Equation

    8 Addition of Angular Momenta

    9 Spin and Statistics

    10 Quantum Particle Scattering

    11 Connecting to the Standard Model

    Appendices

    A Notation Comments and Comparisons

    B Lattice Models

    C 2-D Harmonic Oscillator Wave Function Normalization

    D Allowed Standard Model Interactions

    E The Ising Model and More

    F Weak Flavor Mixing

    Biography

    Walter Wilcox is professor of physics at Baylor University in Waco, TX, USA, and presently serves as Secretary/Treasurer in the Texas Section of the American Physical Society. He earned a PhD in elementary particle physics from UCLA in 1981 under the guidance of Dr. Julian Schwinger. He has also taught and conducted research at Oklahoma State University (1981–1983), TRIUMF Laboratory (1983–1985), and the University of Kentucky (1985–1986). He has been awarded grants from the National Science Foundation in theoretical physics, and, in collaboration with Ron Morgan, in applied mathematics. His research focuses on the development and use of numerical methods in the field of theoretical physics known as "lattice QCD." He lives in Waco, Texas, and loves to go hiking and camping.