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Cambridge University Press eBooks

Physics and Probability

Published Sep 2, 1993• 55 citations
Publisher

Abstract

The pioneering work of Edwin T. Jaynes in the field of statistical physics, quantum optics, and probability theory has had a significant and lasting effect on the study of many physical problems, ranging from fundamental theoretical questions through to practical applications such as optical image restoration. Physics and Probability is a collection of papers in these areas by some of his many colleagues and former students, based largely on lectures given at a symposium celebrating Jaynes' contributions, on the occasion of his seventieth birthday and retirement as Wayman Crow Professor of Physics at Washington University. The collection contains several authoritative overviews of current research on maximum entropy and quantum optics, where Jaynes' work has been particularly influential, as well as reports on a number of related topics. In the concluding paper, Jaynes looks back over his career, and gives encouragement and sound advice to young scientists. All those engaged in research on any of the topics discussed in these papers will find this a useful and fascinating collection, and a fitting tribute to an outstanding and innovative scientist.

DOI
10.1017/cbo9780511524448

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The pioneering work of Edwin T. Jaynes in the field of statistical physics, quantum optics, and probability theory has had a significant and lasting effect on the study of many physical problems, ranging from fundamental theoretical questions through to practical applications such as optical image restoration. Physics and Probability is a collection of papers in these areas by some of his many colleagues and former students, based largely on lectures given at a symposium celebrating Jaynes' contributions, on the occasion of his seventieth birthday and retirement as Wayman Crow Professor of Physics at Washington University. The collection contains several authoritative overviews of current research on maximum entropy and quantum optics, where Jaynes' work has been particularly influential, as well as reports on a number of related topics. In the concluding paper, Jaynes looks back over his career, and gives encouragement and sound advice to young scientists. All those engaged in research on any of the topics discussed in these papers will find this a useful and fascinating collection, and a fitting tribute to an outstanding and innovative scientist.
Edwin T Jaynes, the well known American scientist and educator, has made seminal contributions to several branches of physics and probability theory. This volume commemorates his extraordinarily diverse career in a collection of essays on topics ranging from the kinematics of complex wavefunctions to radar target identification. The book contains 23 papers written by former students, distinguished colleagues and by Jaynes himself, based on lectures presented at a symposium celebrating Jaynes' 70th birthday and official retirement.
Preface 1. Recollection of an independent thinker Joel A. Snow 2. A look back: early applications of maximum entropy estimation to quantum statistical mechanics D. J. Scalapino 3. The Jaynes-Cummings revival B. W. Shore and P. L. Knight 4. The Jaynes-Cummings model and the one-atom-master H. Walther 5. The Jaynes-Cummings model is alive and well P. Meystre 6. Self-consistent radiation reaction in quantum optics - Jaynes' influence and a new example in cavity QED J. H. Eberly 7. Enhancing the index of refraction in a nonabsorbing medium: phaseonium versus a mixture of two-level atoms M. O. Scully, T. W. Hansch, M. Fleischhauer, C. H. Keitel and Shi-Yao Zhu 8. Ed Jaynes' steak dinner problem II Michael D. Crisp 9. Source theory of vacuum field effects Peter W. Milonni 10. The natural line shape Edwin A. Power 11. An operational approach to Schrodinger's cat L. Mandel 12. The classical limit of an atom C. R. Stroud, Jr. 13. Mutual radiation reaction in spontaneous emission Richard J. Cook 14. A model of neutron star dynamics F. W. Cummings 15. The kinematic origin of complex wave function David Hestenes 16. On radar target identification C. Ray Smith 17. On the difference in means G. Larry Bretthorst 18. Bayesian analysis, model selection and prediction Arnold Zellner and Chung-ki Min 19. Bayesian numerical analysis John Skilling 20. Quantum statistical inference R. N. Silver 21. Application of the maximum entropy principle to nonlinear systems far from equilibrium H. Haken 22. Nonequilibrium statistical mechanics Baldwin Robertson 23. A backward look to the future E. T. James Appendix. Vita and bibliography of Edwin T. Jaynes Index.
Abstract The systematic study of the physical world had its orgins in philosophy; two-and-a-half millennia later, the scientific advances of the twentieth century are bringing the two fields closer together again. In this brilliant new textbook, Lawrence Sklar gives a broad overview of contemporary philosophy of physics which readers at all levels, especially students, should find accessible and engaging. Professor Sklar provides a clear and accurate guide to the key topics: the nature of space and time, the problems of probability and irreversibility in statistical mechanics, and, of course, the many notorious problems raised by quantum mechanics. He discusses sophisticated scientific questions, but avoids the use of technical formalism, so that the discussion will be accessible to those without a training in philosophy or physics.
This book presents a systematic account of optical coherence theory within the framework of classical optics, as applied to such topics as radiation from sources of different states of coherence, foundations of radiometry, effects of source coherence on the spectra of radiated fields, coherence theory of laser modes, and scattering of partially coherent light by random media. The book starts with a full mathematical introduction to the subject area and each chapter concludes with a set of exercises. The authors are renowned scientists and have made substantial contributions to many of the topics treated in the book. Much of the book is based on courses given by them at universities, scientific meetings and laboratories throughout the world. This book will undoubtedly become an indispensable aid to scientists and engineers concerned with modern optics, as well as to teachers and graduate students of physics and engineering.
This volume contains invited and contributed papers delivered at a symposium on the occasion of Professor Glauber's 60th birthday. The papers, many of which are authored by world leaders in their fields, contain recent research work in quantum optics, statistical mechanics and high energy physics related to the pioneering work of Professor Roy Glauber; most contain original research material that is previously unpublished. The concepts of coherence, cooperativity and fluctuations in systems with many degrees of freedom are a common base for all of Professor Glauber's research initiatives and, in fact, for much of contemporary physics. His role in shaping these cconcepts is reflected and honoured in the papers contained in this book.
Foundational issues in statistical mechanics and the more general question of how probability is to be understood in the context of physical theories are both areas that have been neglected by philosophers of physics. This book fills an important gap in the literature by providing a most systematic study of how to interpret probabilistic assertions in the context of statistical mechanics. The book explores both subjectivist and objectivist accounts of probability, and takes full measure of work in the foundations of probability theory, in statistical mechanics, and in mathematical theory. It will be of particular interest to philosophers of science, physicists and mathematicians interested in foundational issues, and also to historians of science.