An Introduction to the Methods of Quantum Mechanics

Narciso N. Garcia, Arthur C. Damask, Steven A. Schwarz

Robert Achleitner

This thesis work deals with Monte Carlo (MC) simulations with the focus on quantum mechanical systems. I start with an introduction about Monte-Carlo methods in general and their application to the classical Ising model. The second, most important part deals with the problem in quantum mechanics, and presents a possible simulation method, the Stochastic Series Expansion (SSE). I give an introduction about the idea behind that method and give some results obtained for simulations for finite spin chains. All programming was performed in FORTRAN.

S. Simons, Herman Erlichson

Patrick A. Heelan

Introduction to Heelan's Quantum Mechanics and Objectivity, focused on the quantum mechanics of Heisenberg. The aim of the book is to state and analyze the 'crisis of objectivity' (or crisis of reality) in quantum physics. The method used is an analysis of the intentionality structure of quantum physics as Heisenberg conceived it to be. Through a critique, the present study seeks to arrive at a clarification of both the problem and its presuppositions and ultimately a tentative solution.

S. Simons, S.M. Bunch

Gerald Teschl

Quantum mechanics and the theory of operators on Hilbert space have been deeply linked since their beginnings in the early twentieth century. States of a quantum system correspond to certain elements of the configuration space and observables correspond to certain operators on the space. This book is a brief, but self-contained, introduction to the mathematical methods of quantum mechanics, with a view towards applications to Schrodinger operators. Part 1 of the book is a concise introduction to the spectral theory of unbounded operators. Only those topics that will be needed for later applications are covered. The spectral theorem is a central topic in this approach and is introduced at an early stage. Part 2 starts with the free Schrodinger equation and computes the free resolvent and time evolution. Position, momentum, and angular momentum are discussed via algebraic methods. Various mathematical methods are developed, which are then used to compute the spectrum of the hydrogen atom. Further topics include the nondegeneracy of the ground state, spectra of atoms, and scattering theory. This book serves as a self-contained introduction to spectral theory of unbounded operators in Hilbert space with full proofs and minimal prerequisites: Only a solid knowledge of advanced calculus and a one-semester introduction to complex analysis are required. In particular, no functional analysis and no Lebesgue integration theory are assumed. It develops the mathematical tools necessary to prove some key results in nonrelativistic quantum mechanics. Mathematical Methods in Quantum Mechanics is intended for beginning graduate students in both mathematics and physics and provides a solid foundation for reading more advanced books and current research literature. This new edition has additions and improvements throughout the book to make the presentation more student friendly.