Topics in Modern Physics

Theoretical Foundations

Nonfiction, Science & Nature, Science, Physics, Quantum Theory, General Physics

• Author: John Dirk Walecka
• ISBN: 9789814436915
• Publisher: World Scientific Publishing Company
• Publication: January 21, 2013
• Imprint: WSPC
• Language: English

While the two previous books entitled Introduction to Modern Physics: Theoretical Foundations and Advanced Modern Physics: Theoretical Foundations exposed the reader to the foundations and frontiers of today's physics, the goal of this third volume is to cover in some detail several topics omitted in the essentially linear progression of the first two.

This book is divided into three parts. Part 1 is on quantum mechanics. Analytic solutions to the Schrödinger equation are developed for some basic systems. The analysis is then formalized, concluding with a set of postulates for the theory. Part 2 is on applications of quantum mechanics: approximation methods for bound states, scattering theory, time-dependent perturbation theory, and electromagnetic radiation and quantum electrodynamics. Part 3 covers some selected topics in relativistic quantum field theory: discrete symmetries, the Heisenberg picture, and the Feynman rules for quantum chromodynamics.

The three volumes in this series taken together provide a clear, logical, self-contained, and comprehensive base from which the very best students can learn modern physics. When finished, readers should have an elementary working knowledge in the principal areas of theoretical physics of the twentieth century.

Contents:

• Quantum Mechanics:

  • Solutions to the Schrödinger Equation
  • Formal Developments

• Applications of Quantum Mechanics:

  • Approximation Methods for Bound States
  • Scattering Theory
  • Time-Dependent Perturbation Theory
  • Electromagnetic Radiation and Quantum Electrodynamics

• Relativistic Quantum Field Theory:

  • Discrete Symmetries
  • Heisenberg Picture
  • Feynman Rules for QCD

• Problems and Appendices:

  • Problems

Readership: Advanced undergraduates, graduate students and researchers in theoretical physics and quantum mechanics.
Key Features:

• Covers several important modern physics topics
• Over 130 accessible problems in this volume enhance and extend the coverage
• The three volumes (Introduction to Modern Physics, Advanced Modern Physics and Topics in Modern Physics) taken together present a clear, logical, self-contained, and comprehensive introduction to modern physics