Quantum Mechanics: An Accessible Introduction

Robert Scherrer's text provides a uniquely accessible and thorough introduction to quantum mechanics for undergraduates. It is designed from the ground up to address the changing needs of today’s students taking this important and challenging course. Scherrer carefully develops a solid foundation by recapping on the required math and other basic concepts before developing all the major more advanced topics. The introductory chapters introduce the experimental evidence that historically motivated the development of quantum mechanics and explain why this topic is so central to today’s science and technology. Every section starts with an intuitive explanation of quantum phenomenon, which provides a clear physical motivation for the discussion that follows. Unique Math Interlude chapters throughout the book ensure that the student has all the required mathematical skills required to master quantum mechanics. In-text worked examples provide more detailed derivations and solutions than any other book.

Table of Contents:
Table of Contents 1. The Origins of Quantum Mechanics 1.1 Introduction 1.2 Blackbody Radiation The Problem with Blackbody Radiation 1.3 The Nature of Light The Photoelectric Effect The Compton Effect Is it a Particle or a Wave? 1.4 TheWave Nature of Matter 1.5 The Bohr Atom 1.6 Where do we Stand? 2. Math Interlude A: Complex Numbers and Linear Operators 2.1 Complex Numbers 2.2 Operators Definition of an Operator Eigenfunctions and Eigenvalues 3. The Schrödinger Equation 3.1 Derivation of the Schrödinger Equation 3.2 The Meaning of theWave Function 3.3 The Time-Independent Schrödinger Equation Derivation of the Time-Independent Schrödinger Equation Qualitative Solutions and the Origin of Quantization 4. One-Dimensional Time-Independent Schrödinger Equation 4.1 Unbound States: Scattering and Tunneling Scattering From Step-Function Potentials 4.2 Bound Systems The Infinite SquareWell The Harmonic Oscillator Potential 5. Math Interlude B: Linear Algebra 5.1 Properties of Linear Operators 5.2 Vector Spaces Inner Products Adjoint and Hermitian Operators Basis Sets 6. The Three-Dimensional Time-Independent Schrödinger Equation 6.1 Solution in Rectangular Coordinates 6.2 Angular Momentum 6.3 The Schrödinger Equation in Spherical Coordinates 6.4 The Hydrogen Atom 7. Math Interlude C: Matrices, Dirac Notation, and the Dirac Delta Function 7.1 The Matrix Formulation of Linear Operators 7.2 Dirac Notation 7.3 The Dirac Delta Function 8. Spin Angular Momentum 8.1 Spin Operators 8.2 Evidence for Spin 8.3 Adding Angular Momentum 8.4 The Matrix Representation of Spin 8.5 The Stern–Gerlach Experiment 8.6 Spin Precession 8.7 Spin Systems with Two Particles Noninteracting Spins Interacting Spins 8.8 Measurement Theory Hidden Variables The ManyWorlds Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics 9. Time-Independent Perturbation Theory 9.1 Derivation of Time-Independent Perturbation Theory 9.2 Perturbations to the Atomic Energy Levels Fine Structure The Lamb Shift 9.3 The Atom in External Electric or Magnetic Fields The Atom in an Electric Field: The Stark Effect The Atom in a Magnetic Field: The Zeeman Effect 10. The Variational Principle 10.1 Variational Principle: Theory 10.2 Variational Principle: Application to the Helium Atom 11. Time-Dependent Perturbation Theory 11.1 Derivation of Time-Dependent Perturbation Theory 11.2 Application: Selection Rules for Electromagnetic Radiation 12. Scattering Theory 12.1 Definition of the Cross Section 12.2 The Born Approximation 12.3 PartialWaves 13. The Multiparticle Schrödinger Equation 13.1 Wave Function for Identical Particles 13.2 Multielectron Atoms 14. Some Modern Applications of Quantum Mechanics 14.1 Magnetic Resonance Imaging 14.2 Quantum Computing 15. What Comes Next? Relativistic Quantum Mechanics 15.1 The Klein–Gordon Equation Derivation of the Klein–Gordon Equation Probability Densities and Currents 15.2 The Dirac Equation Answers and Hints for Selected End-of-Chapter Exercises Index  

About the Author :
Robert Scherrer is Chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Vanderbilt University, where he arrived in 2003 following 15 years as a professor of physics at Ohio State University.  He received is A.B. in physics from Princeton University, spent two years at Cambridge University on a Marshall Scholarship, and then received his Ph.D. in physics at the University of Chicago.  While a professor at Ohio State, Scherrer received the Alumni Award for Distinguished Teaching.  His teaching philosophy follows the advice of Hippocrates:  “First, do no harm.”  He believes that most physics students come to study physics because they find it interesting, and it is the teacher’s job to maintain that interest while navigating the sometimes-difficult subject matter.   Scherrer’s own research is in the area of theoretical cosmology, including the physics of the early universe, dark matter and dark energy, and the large-scale structure of the universe.  He lives in Nashville, Tennessee with his wife and five children.