The Development of Elementary Quantum Theory

This book traces the evolution of the ideas that eventually resulted in the elementary quantum theory in 1925/26. Further, it discusses the essential differences between the fundamental equations of Quantum Theory derived by Born and Jordan, logically comprising Quantum Mechanics and Quantum Optics, and the traditional view of the development of Quantum Mechanics. Drawing on original publications and letters written by the main protagonists of that time, it shows that Einstein's contributions from 1905 to 1924 laid the essential foundations for the development of Quantum Theory. Einstein introduced quantization of the radiation field; Born added quantized mechanical behavior. In addition, Born recognized that Quantum Mechanics necessarily required Quantum Optics; his radical concept of truly discontinuous and statistical quantum transitions (quantum leaps) was directly based on Einstein's physical concepts.

Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Résumé
"This book describes how quantum mechanics arose and has been developed step by step thereby changing fundamental beliefs grown up in a pure mechanistic world. ... This book is suitable for to be understood by interested laymen, young students, and philosophers." (K.-E. Hellwig, zbMATH 1465.81004, 2021)

Contenu

Introduction and Outline.- The Fundamental Dierences Between Classical and Quantum Physics.- Planck's Quantum Hypothesis and Einstein's Contributions to the Foundations of Quantum Theory.- The Old Quantum Theory.- The Quantum Theory of Born, Heisenberg, and Jordan.- Continuous Representations of the New Quantum Laws.- The Consequences of the Basic Quantum Laws on Wave Phenomena and Quantum Uncertainties.- Early Opposition to the Copenhagen Interpretation.- Orthodox Portrayals of the Development of Quantum Mechanics, Comparison and Dierences.- Later Criticism of the Copenhagen Interpretation.