The Principles of Quantum MechanicsThe first edition of this work appeared in 1930, and its originality won it immediate recognition as a classic of modern physical theory. The fourth edition has been bought out to meet a continued demand. Some improvements have been made, the main one being the complete rewriting of the chapter on quantum electrodymanics, to bring in electron-pair creation. This makes it suitable as an introduction to recent works on quantum field theories. |
Contents
THE PRINCIPLE OF SUPERPOSITION 1 The Need for a Quantum Theory | 1 |
The Polarization of Photons | 5 |
Interference of Photons | 9 |
Superposition and Indeterminacy | 13 |
Mathematical Formulation of the Principle | 15 |
Bra and Ket Vectors | 21 |
DYNAMICAL VARIABLES AND OBSERVABLES | 23 |
Linear Operators | 24 |
26 | 175 |
29 | 176 |
34 | 178 |
41 | 181 |
45 | 184 |
COLLISION PROBLEMS | 185 |
49 | 188 |
Solution with the Momentum Representation | 193 |
Conjugate Relations | 27 |
Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors | 30 |
Observables | 35 |
Functions of Observables | 43 |
The General Physical Interpretation | 45 |
Commutability and Compatibility | 51 |
REPRESENTATIONS | 53 |
Basic Vectors | 55 |
The 8 Function | 60 |
Properties of the Basic Vectors | 64 |
The Representation of Linear Operators | 69 |
Probability Amplitudes | 74 |
Theorems about Functions of Observables | 77 |
Developments in Notation | 81 |
THE QUANTUM CONDITIONS | 84 |
Poisson Brackets | 85 |
Schrödingers Representation | 91 |
The Momentum Representation | 95 |
Heisenbergs Principle of Uncertainty | 98 |
Displacement Operators | 101 |
Unitary Transformations | 105 |
THE EQUATIONS OF MOTION 27 Schrodingers Form for the Equations of Motion | 108 |
Heisenbergs Form for the Equations of Motion | 115 |
Stationary States | 117 |
The Free Particle | 119 |
The Motion of Wave Packets | 123 |
The Action Principle | 127 |
The Gibbs Ensemble | 131 |
ELEMENTARY APPLICATIONS | 136 |
The Harmonic Oscillator | 137 |
Angular Momentum | 141 |
1 | 142 |
Properties of Angular Momentum | 144 |
The Spin of the Electron | 149 |
Motion in a Central Field of Force | 152 |
7 | 154 |
Energylevels of the Hydrogen Atom | 156 |
Selection Rules | 159 |
The Zeeman Effect for the Hydrogen Atom | 165 |
PERTURBATION THEORY | 167 |
The Change in the Energylevels caused by a Perturbation | 168 |
10 | 169 |
The Perturbation considered as causing Transitions | 172 |
18 | 173 |
23 | 174 |
Dispersive Scattering | 199 |
Resonance Scattering | 201 |
53 | 203 |
Emission and Absorption | 204 |
58 | 205 |
SYSTEMS CONTAINING SEVERAL SIMILAR PARTICLES | 207 |
Permutations as Dynamical Variables | 211 |
Permutations as Constants of the Motion | 213 |
Determination of the Energylevels | 216 |
Application to Electrons | 219 |
THEORY OF RADIATION | 225 |
The Connexion between Bosons and Oscillators | 227 |
Emission and Absorption of Bosons | 232 |
62 | 235 |
The Interaction Energy between Photons and an Atom | 239 |
67 | 240 |
72 | 241 |
76 | 244 |
79 | 245 |
84 | 248 |
RELATIVISTIC THEORY OF THE ELECTRON | 253 |
The Wave Equation for the Electron | 254 |
Invariance under a Lorentz Transformation | 258 |
The Motion of a Free Electron | 261 |
Existence of the Spin | 263 |
Transition to Polar Variables | 267 |
The Finestructure of the Energylevels of Hydrogen | 269 |
Theory of the Positron | 273 |
QUANTUM ELECTRODYNAMICS | 276 |
Relativistic Form of the Quantum Conditions | 280 |
The Dynamical Variables at one Time | 283 |
The Supplementary Conditions | 287 |
Electrons and Positrons by Themselves | 292 |
89 | 298 |
99 | 299 |
103 | 301 |
108 | 302 |
111 | 303 |
116 | 305 |
118 | 306 |
121 | 309 |
Applications | 310 |
313 | |
314 | |
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Common terms and phrases
absorption according algebraic anticommutation antisymmetrical applied arbitrary assembly atom basic bras basic kets belonging bosons classical mechanics classical theory commutation relations commuting observables complete set components conjugate complex conjugate imaginary constant coordinates d³k d³p d³x defined denote diagonal discrete dynamical system dynamical variables eigenstate eigenvalues electron emission energy-levels equal equations of motion expression factor fermions formula given gives Hamiltonian Heisenberg picture hence incident particle independent infinity integral interaction involve ket vector linear operator Lorentz m₂ magnetic matrix elements momenta multiplied obtain orthogonal oscillator P₂ permutation perturbing energy photon physical polarization positrons probability quantities quantum mechanics quantum theory radiation referring relativistic representation representative result right-hand side satisfy scalar scattering coefficient Schrödinger Schrödinger picture selection rule set of commuting solution standard ket stationary superposition supplementary conditions symmetrical tion transformation transition unperturbed system vanish velocity wave equation wave function zero