The subject of time continues to be a subject of extensive research in the development of new theories of physics. This new volume is addressed to students who are starting a graduate program in physics or electrical engineering interested in complementing their studies of relativity theory and quantum physics, applying the knowledge they have acquired about these themes to the analysis of situations where the issue of time measurement is relevant. This is the case, for example, of clock synchronization, transit times of optical signals through dielectric and absorbing media, lifetimes of excited atomic states, among others. These topics, in addition to being of great importance to theoretical physicists, are the basis of many technological developments. For example, global positional systems (GPS) are based on the predictions of relativity theory about time and the effect of gravity over time measurement. Divided into six chapters, the volume discusses how the concept of time is present in the main fields of physics, such as classical mechanics, electrodynamics, quantum mechanics and theory of relativity. Illustrative examples and case studies are included in each chapter. The volume includes an analysis of themes related to time such as causality and the arrows of time, spooky action at distance and Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen Paradox, quantum mechanics and entangled states, apparent superluminal velocity, and time reversal. This book, Looking at Time from a Physics Perspective, will contribute to the understanding of concepts learned in courses on classical mechanics, electrodynamics, quantum mechanics and relativity, reviewing the implications of the time variable for the description of the different physical phenomena at the microscopic and macroscopic level.
The subject of time continues to be a subject of extensive research in the development of new theories of physics. This new volume is addressed to students who are starting a graduate program in physics or electrical engineering interested in complementing their studies of relativity theory and quantum physics, applying the knowledge they have acquired about these themes to the analysis of situations where the issue of time measurement is relevant. This is the case, for example, of clock synchronization, transit times of optical signals through dielectric and absorbing media, lifetimes of excited atomic states, among others. These topics, in addition to being of great importance to theoretical physicists, are the basis of many technological developments. For example, global positional systems (GPS) are based on the predictions of relativity theory about time and the effect of gravity over time measurement. Divided into six chapters, the volume discusses how the concept of time is present in the main fields of physics, such as classical mechanics, electrodynamics, quantum mechanics and theory of relativity. Illustrative examples and case studies are included in each chapter. The volume includes an analysis of themes related to time such as causality and the arrows of time, spooky action at distance and Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen Paradox, quantum mechanics and entangled states, apparent superluminal velocity, and time reversal. This book, Looking at Time from a Physics Perspective, will contribute to the understanding of concepts learned in courses on classical mechanics, electrodynamics, quantum mechanics and relativity, reviewing the implications of the time variable for the description of the different physical phenomena at the microscopic and macroscopic level.
The well known theoretical physicist and editor of the Journal of Mathematical Physics has written a handy book, with eight chapters devoted to the broader knowledge of and reflection about physical theories, notably quantum theory. After thinking about what is a physical theory, he addresses the problem of the state in quantum theory (a very central chapter of the book), the power of mathematics, the field - particle issue (the author pleads for the superiority of the field concept - the book is very indebted to Julian Schwinger's ideas), symmetry in physics, the problem of causality and probability, the five different arrows of time (from cause-effect ordering to the cosmological arrow), and finally turns to the presently quite often discussed relation of the quantum-mechanical description to reality. After one has learned that the author is not approaching the questions from a sharper historical point of view, and that he shares the prejudices of a mathematical physicist toward experiment, one thoroughly enjoys his elegant, competent and deep treatment. This reviewer wishes that every graduate student of physics should, at an early stage, read Newton's book (which could be done either at a stroke or piecewise) because it presents the essence of a great deal of modern physical theory in both a condensed and leisurely digestible form.
This book provides a unified overview of “modern physics” - combining its foundational pillars: relativity, quantum physics and gravity - and takes the reader on a tour of fundamental physics, through structural, historical and biographical perspectives. The book presents a “big picture” of physics, as well as its completion in terms of a new vision of the quantum theory of space, time, matter and energy. Chapters explore the overarching and unfinished structure of fundamental physics, defined via the three fundamental constants of physics (the velocity of light, the gravitational constant and the Planck constant). The book also celebrates the centenary of quantum mechanics, and the apparent conceptual conflict between quantum theory and the deepest theory of spacetime physics, Einstein’s general theory of relativity, and the resolution of that conflict in a new (“gravitized quantum”) view of the problem of quantum gravity. This book will be of interest to undergraduate and graduate students of physics, professional physicists and scientists from other disciplines, as well as a general audience of non-professionals interested in the topic. Key features: Presents a cohesive and accessible overview of fundamental physics and its worldview Intertwines historical and biographical perspectives with scientific aspects Discusses a timely and cutting-edge topic at the forefront of research and discussion
Quantum Mechanics II: Advanced Topics offers a comprehensive exploration of the state-of-the-art in various advanced topics of current research interest. A follow-up to the authors’ introductory book Quantum Mechanics I: The Fundamentals, this book expounds basic principles, theoretical treatment, case studies, worked-out examples and applications of advanced topics including quantum technologies. A thoroughly revised and updated this unique volume presents an in-depth and up-to-date progress on the growing topics including latest achievements on quantum technology. In the second edition six new chapters are included and the other ten chapters are extensively revised. Features Covers classical and quantum field theories, path integral formalism and supersymmetric quantum mechanics. Highlights coherent and squeezed states, Berry’s phase, Aharonov—Bohm effect and Wigner function. Explores salient features of quantum entanglement and quantum cryptography. Presents basic concepts of quantum computers and the features of no-cloning theorem and quantum cloning machines. Describes the theory and techniques of quantum tomography, quantum simulation and quantum error correction. Introduces other novel topics including quantum versions of theory of gravity, cosmology, Zeno effect, teleportation, games, chaos and steering. Outlines the quantum technologies of ghost imaging, detection of weak amplitudes and displacements, lithography, metrology, teleportation of optical images, sensors, batteries and internet. Contains several worked-out problems and exercises in each chapter. Quantum Mechanics II: Advanced Topics addresses various currently emerging exciting topics of quantum mechanics. It emphasizes the fundamentals behind the latest cutting-edge developments to help explain the motivation for deeper exploration. The book is a valuable resource for graduate students in physics and engineering wishing to pursue research in quantum mechanics.
Since its emergence in the early twentieth century, quantum theory has become the fundamental physical paradigm, and is essential to our understanding of the world. Providing a deeper understanding of the microscopic world through quantum theory, this supplementary text reviews a wider range of topics than conventional textbooks. Emphasis is given to modern entanglement, quantum teleportation, and Bose-Einstein condensation. Macroscopic quantum effects of practical relevance, for example superconductivity and the quantum Hall effect, are also described. Looking to the future, the author discusses the exciting prospects for quantum computing. Physical, rather than formal, explanations are given, and mathematical formalism is kept to a minimum so readers can understand the concepts more easily. Theoretical discussions are combined with a description of the corresponding experimental results. This book is ideal for undergraduate and graduate students in quantum theory and quantum optics.
The ideal text for a two-semester graduate course on quantum mechanics. Fresh, comprehensive, and clear, it strikes the optimal balance between covering traditional material and exploring contemporary topics. Focusing on the probabilistic structure of quantum mechanics and the central role of symmetries to unify principles, this textbook guides readers through the logical development of the theory. Students will also learn about the more exciting and controversial aspects of quantum theory, with discussions on past interpretations and the current debates on cutting-edge concepts such as quantum information and entanglement, open quantum systems, and quantum measurement theory. The book has two types of content: Type A material is more elementary and is fully self-contained, functioning like a separate book within the book, while Type B content is at the level of a graduate course. Requiring minimal physics background, this textbook is appropriate for mathematics and engineering students, in addition to physicists. Introducing cutting-edge topics in the field, the book features about 150 concept-checking questions, 300 homework problems and a solutions manual.
By questioning the validity of some of our basic concepts, such as space, object, and causality, quantum physics contributes quite decisively to the dramatic changes now taking place in our world picture.This book is addressed not only to physicists at an early stage in their careers (the first or second year graduate student) but also to philosophers, as well as to all the senior physicists interested in the interpretation problem. Beginning with a chapter that could be described as ?philosophy for physicists,? it presents an in-depth analysis of present-day quantum mechanical concepts, an analysis of physicists and philosophers alike. Specifically, it first offers an extensive critical analysis of such topics as the Einstein, Podolsky, Rosen reality criterion, nonseparatability, the quantum measurement riddle, decoherence theory, consistent histories approaches and ontologically interpretable theories. All this then naturally leads to philosophical questions concerning, in particular, intersubjective agreement and the limit of realism. And a thorough examination of this whole material finally leads to the view that distinguishing between empirical reality and a veiled man-independent reality yields an acceptable answer to the perplexing question of how to interpret quantum physics. Veiled Reality offers nonspecialists, including students in physics, philosophy and the history of science, an accessible perspective on basic problems in the foundations of physics.