Table of Contents

Introduction; Part I. Basic Features of Quantum Mechanics: 1. From classical mechanics to quantum mechanics; 2. Quantum observable and states; 3. Quantum dynamics; 4. Examples of quantum dynamics; 5. Density matrix; Part II. More Advanced Topics: 6. Angular momentum and spin; 7. Identical particles; 8. Symmetries and conservation laws; 9. The measurement problem; Part III. Matter and Light: 10. Perturbations and approximation methods; 11. Hydrogen and helium atoms; 12. Hydrogen molecular ion; 13. Quantum optics; Part IV. Quantum Information: State and Correlations: 14. Quantum theory of open systems; 15. State measurement in quantum mechanics; 16. Entanglement: non-separability; 17. Entanglement: quantum information; References; Index.

Promotional Information

Advanced undergraduate and graduate students will benefit from this perspective on the fundamental physical paradigm and its applications.

About the Author

Gennaro Auletta is Scientific Director of Science and Philosophy at the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome. His main areas of research are quantum mechanics, logic, cognitive sciences, information theory and applications to biological systems. Mauro Fortunato is a Structurer at Cassa depositi e prestiti S.p.A., Rome. He is involved in financial engineering, applying mathematical methods of quantum physics to the pricing of complex financial derivatives and the construction of structured products. Giorgio Parisi is Professor of Quantum Theories at the University of Rome 'La Sapienza'. He has won several prizes, notably the Boltzmann Medal, the Dirac Medal and Prize, and the Daniel Heineman prize. His main research activity deals with elementary particles, theory of phase transitions and statistical mechanics, disordered systems, computers and very large scale simulations, non-equilibrium statistical physics, optimization and animal behaviour.

Reviews

'A truly original treatment that towers over most of its competitors and makes many of them look pedestrian. Auletta, Fortunato and Parisi's handsomely produced book will benefit thousands of students and has the potential to rekindle the passion of many teachers who have taught quantum mechanics for so long that they yawn even at the thought of teaching it again. This is the freshest new treatment of a well-established branch of physics I have read for more than a decade, as far away as I can imagine from being 'yet another book on quantum mechanics'.' The Times Higher Education Supplement