Introduction. Mathematical Background. Schrodinger Equation and Applications. Foundations of Quantum Mechanics. Harmonic Oscillator. Angular Momentum. Spin. Hydrogen-Like Atoms. Particle Motion in an Electromagnetic Field. Solution Methods in Quantum Mechanics. Part A: Solutions Methods in Quantum Mechanics. Part B: Numerical Methods in Quantum Mechanics. Identical Particles. Addition of Angular Momenta. Scattering Theory. Semiclassical Treatment of Radiation.
Introduction. Mathematical Background. Schrodinger Equation and Applications. Foundations of Quantum Mechanics. Harmonic Oscillator. Angular Momentum. Spin. Hydrogen-Like Atoms. Particle Motion in an Electromagnetic Field. Solution Methods in Quantum Mechanics. Part A: Solutions Methods in Quantum Mechanics. Part B: Numerical Methods in Quantum Mechanics. Identical Particles. Addition of Angular Momenta. Scattering Theory. Semiclassical Treatment of Radiation.
Preface. 1. Origins of Quantum Physics. 1.1 Historical Note. 1.2 Particle Aspect of Radiation. 1.3 Wave Aspect of Particles. 1.4 Particles versus Waves. 1.5 Indeterministic Nature of the Microphysical World. 1.6 Atomic Transitions and Spectroscopy. 1.7 Quantization Rules. 1.8 Wave Packets. 1.9 Concluding Remarks. 1.10 Solved Problems. Exercises. 2. Mathematical Tools of Quantum Mechanics. 2.1 Introduction. 2.2 The Hilbert Space and Wave Functions. 2.3 Dirac Notation. 2.4 Operators. 2.5 Representation in Discrete Bases. 2.6 Representation in Continuous Bases. 2.7 Matrix and Wave Mechanics. 2.8 Concluding Remarks. 2.9 Solved Problems. Exercises. 3. Postulates of Quantum Mechanics. 3.1 Introduction. 3.2 The Basic Postulates of Quantum Mechanics. 3.3 The State of a System. 3.4 Observables and Operators. 3.5 Measurement in Quantum Mechanics. 3.6 Time Evolution of the System's State. 3.7 Symmetries and Conservation Laws. 3.8 Connecting Quantum to Classical Mechanics. 3.9 Solved Problems. Exercises. 4. One-Dimensional Problems. 4.1 Introduction. 4.2 Properties of One-Dimensional Motion. 4.3 The Free Particle: Continuous States. 4.4 The Potential Step. 4.5 The Potential Barrier and Well. 4.6 The Infinite Square Well Potential. 4.7 The Finite Square Well Potential. 4.8 The Harmonic Oscillator. 4.9 Numerical Solution of the Schrodinger Equation. 4.10 Solved Problems. Exercises. 5. Angular Momentum. 5.1 Introduction. 5.2 Orbital Angular Momentum. 5.3 General Formalism of Angular Momentum. 5.4 Matrix Representation of Angular Momentum. 5.5 Geometrical Representation of Angular Momentum. 5.6 Spin Angular Momentum. 5.7 Eigen functions of Orbital Angular Momentum. 5.8 Solved Problems. Exercises. 6. Three-Dimensional Problems. 6.1 Introduction. 6.2 3D Problems in Cartesian Coordinates. 6.3 3D Problems in Spherical Coordinates. 6.4 Concluding Remarks. 6.5 Solved Problems. Exercises. 7. Rotations and Addition of Angular Momenta. 7.1 Rotations in Classical Physics. 7.2 Rotations in Quantum Mechanics. 7.3 Addition of Angular Momenta. 7.4 Scalar, Vector and Tensor Operators. 7.5 Solved Problems. Exercises. 8. Identical Particles. 8.1 Many-Particle Systems. 8.2 Systems of Identical Particles. 8.3 The Pauli Exclusion Principle. 8.4 The Exclusion Principle and the Periodic Table. 8.5 Solved Problems. Exercises. 9. Approximation Methods for Stationary States. 9.1 Introduction. 9.2 Time-Independent Perturbation Theory. 9.3 The Variational Method. 9.4 The Wentzel Kramers Brillou in Method. 9.5 Concluding Remarks. 9.6 Solved Problems. Exercises. 10. Time-Dependent Perturbation Theory. 10.1 Introduction. 10.2 The Pictures of Quantum Mechanics. 10.3 Time-Dependent Perturbation Theory. 10.4 Adiabatic and Sudden Approximations. 10.5 Interaction of Atoms with Radiation. 10.6 Solved Problems. Exercises. 11. Scattering Theory. 11.1 Scattering and Cross Section. 11.2 Scattering Amplitude of Spinless Particles. 11.3 The Born Approximation. 11.4 Partial Wave Analysis. 11.5 Scattering of Identical Particles. 11.6 Solved Problems. Exercises. A. The Delta Function. A.1 One-Dimensional Delta Function. A.2 Three-Dimensional Delta Function. B. Angular Momentum in Spherical Coordinates. B.1 Derivation of Some General. B.2 Gradient and Laplacianin Spherical Coordinates. B.3 Angular Momentum in Spherical Coordinates. C. Computer Code for Solving the Schrodinger Equation. Index.
Many students find quantum mechanics conceptually difficult when they first encounter the subject. In this book, the postulates and key applications of quantum mechanics are well illustrated by means of a carefully chosen set of problems, complete with detailed, step-by-step solutions. Beginning with a chapter on orders of magnitude, a variety of topics are then covered, including the mathematical foundations of quantum mechanics, Schrödinger's equation, angular momentum, the hydrogen atom, the harmonic oscillator, spin, time-independent and time-dependent perturbation theory, the variational method, multielectron atoms, transitions and scattering. Throughout, the physical interpretation or application of certain results is highlighted, thereby providing useful insights into a wide range of systems and phenomena. This approach will make the book invaluable to anyone taking an undergraduate course in quantum mechanics.
Part 1: the need for the quantum mechanics quantization of radiation the special theory of relativity wave-particle duality the nature of matter waves the uncertainty principle the Bohr atom. Part 2 Schrodinger's equation: the postulates of quantum mechanics the wave equation the wave equation in three dimensions the time-independent Schrodinger equation stationary states normalisation probability flux physical constraints on the wave-function wave packets Gaussian wave-packets and the uncertainty principle. Part 3 One-dimensional potential wells: potential wells the one-dimensional infinite square well discussion of infinite square-well results eigenvalue equations the finite square well finite square well eigenfunctions the control of the wave-function by the wave equation numerical integration of Schrodinger's equation continuum solutions of the square-well potential interpretation of unbound-particle wave functions the double potential well the quantum bouncer electric fields and the tilted well the harmonic oscillator - introduction the quantum oscillator discussion of harmonic oscillator eigenvalues and eigenfunctions the classical probability density more potential wells. Part 4 Schrodinger's equation in three dimensions: particle in a three dimensional box degeneracy Schrodingers equation in spherical polar coordinates - the hydrogen atom normalisation. Part 5 Formal development of quantum mechanics: eigenvalues equations, operators and measurements the momentum operator, eigenvalues and eigenfunctions the position operator and its eigenfunctions Hermitian operators orthogonality of eigenfunctions the expansion postulate example - the b-decay of tritium expectation values compatibility of observables - commutators non-commuting operators time-dependence of expectation values - Ehrenfest's theorem abstract operators - the parity operator, matrix mechanics. Part 6 Angular momentum: angular momentum operators angular momentum commutators angular momentum eigenvalues and eigenfunctions interpretation of angular momentum eigenvalues interpretation of angular momentum eigenfunctions the Stern-Gerlach apparatus and electron spin spin operators - the Pauli Spin matrices the Zeeman effect measurements in quantum mechanics. Part 7 Spherically symmetric potential wells: the rigid rotator the radial equation the hydrogen atom and hydrogen like ions the isotropic harmonic oscillator molecular vibrations - the Morse potential the spherical square well general properties of spherically symmetric potential wells. (Part contents)
This text presents a rigorous mathematical account of the principles of quantum mechanics, in particular as applied to chemistry and chemical physics. Applications are used as illustrations of the basic theory. The first two chapters serve as an introduction to quantum theory, although it is assumed that the reader has been exposed to elementary quantum mechanics as part of an undergraduate physical chemistry or atomic physics course. Following a discussion of wave motion leading to Schrödinger's wave mechanics, the postulates of quantum mechanics are presented along with essential mathematical concepts and techniques. The postulates are rigorously applied to the harmonic oscillator, angular momentum, the hydrogen atom, the variation method, perturbation theory, and nuclear motion. Modern theoretical concepts such as hermitian operators, Hilbert space, Dirac notation, and ladder operators are introduced and used throughout. This text is appropriate for beginning graduate students in chemistry, chemical physics, molecular physics and materials science.
Assuming a background in basic classical physics, multivariable calculus, and differential equations, A Concise Introduction to Quantum Mechanics provides a self-contained presentation of the mathematics and physics of quantum mechanics. The relevant aspects of classical mechanics and electrodynamics are reviewed, and the basic concepts of wave-particle duality are developed as a logical outgrowth of experiments involving blackbody radiation, the photoelectric effect, and electron diffraction. The Copenhagen interpretation of the wave function and its relation to the particle probability density is presented in conjunction with Fourier analysis and its generalization to function spaces. These concepts are combined to analyze the system consisting of a particle confined to a box, developing the probabilistic interpretation of observations and their associated expectation values. The Schrödinger equation is then derived by using these results and demanding both Galilean invariance of the probability density and Newtonian energy-momentum relations. The general properties of the Schrödinger equation and its solutions are analyzed, and the theory of observables is developed along with the associated Heisenberg uncertainty principle. Basic applications of wave mechanics are made to free wave packet spreading, barrier penetration, the simple harmonic oscillator, the Hydrogen atom, and an electric charge in a uniform magnetic field. In addition, Dirac notation, elements of Hilbert space theory, operator techniques, and matrix algebra are presented and used to analyze coherent states, the linear potential, two state oscillations, and electron diffraction. Applications are made to photon and electron spin and the addition of angular momentum, and direct product multiparticle states are used to formulate both the Pauli exclusion principle and quantum decoherence. The book concludes with an introduction to the rotation group and the general properties of angular momentum.