Quantum Theory: Concepts and Methods: (57 Fundamental Theories of Physics)

This book is aimed at anyone who wants to understand the use of quantum theory for the description of physical processes. It is a graduate level text, ideal for independent study, and includes numerous figures, exercises, bibliographical references, and even some computer programs. The first chapters introduce formal tools; the mathematics are precise, but not excessively abstract. The physical interpretation too is rigorous. It makes no use of the uncertainty principle of other ill-defined notions. The central part of the book is devoted to Bell's theorem and to the Kochen-Specker theorem. It is here that quantum phenomena depart most radically from classical physics. There has recently been considerable progress on these issues, and current developments have been included. The final chapters discuss further topics of current research: spacetime symmetries, quantum thermodynamics and information theory, semiclassical methods, irreversibility, quantum chaos, and especially the measuring process. In particular, it is shown how modern techniques allow the extraction of more information from a physical system than traditional measurement methods. For physicists, mathematicians and philosophers of science with an interest in the applications and foundations of quantum theory. The volume is suitable as a supplementary graduate textbook.

Table of Contents:
Gathering the Tools.- to Quantum Physics.- Quantum Tests.- Complex Vector Space.- Continuous Variables.- Cryptodeterminism and Quantum Inseparability.- Composite Systems.- Bell’s Theorem.- Contextuality.- Quantum Dynamics and Information.- Spacetime Symmetries.- Information and Thermodynamics.- Semiclassical Methods.- Chaos and Irreversibility.- The Measuring Process.

Review :
`...I can recommend the book with unqualified enthusiasm. The prose is highly readable and often charming. The mathematical style is unpretentious and down-to-earth, yet often elegant. The point of view, while aggressively orthodox, is also remarkably fresh and up-to-date, and often strikingly original in the details. Peres's book is a treasure trove of novel perspectives on quantum mechanics and is in many ways the best book on physics that I have seen in a long time.' Studies in History and Philosophy of Modern Physics, 28:1 (1997) `The general theory of Quantum Mechanics is often hidden behind the applications in the more famous books like Sakurai, Gasiorowitz etc. As a student of QM I never understood what all the fuzz was about until I read Peres' wonderful book. By starting from experimental facts he shows in a clear way which concepts are necessary for QM and what the theory actually implies on the real world. It is by far the best introduction to QM and the best self-study book. Most of the other books I've looked at talk too much about certain applications to special fields of physics and fails to give any general understanding of the subject. Quantum Theory: Concepts and Methods should be the given choice for any introductory course in QM, not because it is easy or simple but just because there are no better books!' Albinth, Stockholm, Sweden `This must be about the tenth introductory book on quantum mechanics I've read. It is, quite simply, the best of the lot of them (Merzbacher, Messiah, Bohm, Schwabl,...). I would especially recommend this book to philosophers who are looking to get into the philosophy of quantum mechanics, since it deals with conceptual aspects as well as standard material (there's even some stuff on quantum computation in here!). What you get here is theHilbert space formalism which is essential for philosophers of physics and advanced researchers in physics. I would even recommend this book to 1st year undergraduates - it's certainly accessible enough. It is precisely this accessibility that is the best feature of this book. Peres is clearly an excellent teacher. Also, if your looking for a self-study book then this is much better than any of the other standard books, it is a much more intuitive and fresh approach.' Dean Rickles, Leeds, UK