This second volume on quantum mechanics by Franz Schwabl discusses nonrelativistic multi-particle systems, relativistic wave equations and relativistic fields. As usual the text follows a compelling mathematical presentation where all intermediate steps are given and where numerous examples for application and exercises help the student to gain thorough knowledge of the subject. The presentation of relativistic wave equations and their symmetries and the fundamentals of quantum field theory lay the foundations for advanced studies in solid-state physics, nuclear and elementary particle physics.

Klappentext

This book covers advanced topics in quantum mechanics, including nonrelativistic multi-particle systems, relativistic wave equations, and relativistic fields. Numerous examples for application help readers gain a thorough understanding of the subject. The presentation of relativistic wave equations and their symmetries, and the fundamentals of quantum field theory lay the foundations for advanced studies in solid-state physics, nuclear, and elementary particle physics. The authors earlier book, Quantum Mechanics, was praised for its unsurpassed clarity.

Inhalt

I. Nonrelativistic Many-Particle Systems.- 1. Second Quantization.- 2. Spin-1/2 Fermions.- 3. Bosons.- 4. Correlation Functions, Scattering, and Response.- II. Relativistic Wave Equations.- 5. Relativistic Wave Equations and their Derivation.- 6. Lorentz Transformations and Covariance of the Dirac Equation.- 7. Orbital Angular Momentum and Spin.- 8. The Coulomb Potential.- 9. The Foldy-Wouthuysen Transformation and Relativistic Corrections.- 10. Physical Interpretation of the Solutions to the Dirac Equation.- 11. Symmetries and Further Properties of the Dirac Equation.- III. Relativistic Fields.- 12. Quantization of Relativistic Fields.- 13. Free Fields.- 14. Quantization of the Radiation Field.- 15. Interacting Fields, Quantum Electrodynamics.- A Alternative Derivation of the Dirac Equation.- B Dirac Matrices.- B.1 Standard Representation.- B.2 Chiral Representation.- B.3 Majorana Representations.- C Projection Operators for the Spin.- C.1 Definition.- C.2 Rest Frame.- D The Path-Integral Representation of Quantum Mechanics.- E Covariant Quantization of the Electromagnetic Field, the Gupta-Bleuler Method.- E.1 Quantization and the Feynman Propagator.- E.2 The Physical Significance of Longitudinal and Scalar Photons.- E.3 The Feynman Photon Propagator.- E.4 Conserved Quantities.- F Coupling of Charged Scalar Mesons to the Electromagnetic Field.