Covering the fundamentals as well as many special topics of current interest, this is the most concise, up-to-date, and accessible graduate-level textbook on quantum mechanics available. Written by Gerald Mahan, a distinguished research physicist and author of an acclaimed textbook on many-particle physics, Quantum Mechanics in a Nutshell is the distillation of many years' teaching experience.
Emphasizing the use of quantum mechanics to describe actual quantum systems such as atoms and solids, and rich with interesting applications, the book proceeds from solving for the properties of a single particle in potential; to solving for two particles (the helium atom); to addressing many-particle systems. Applications include electron gas, magnetism, and Bose-Einstein Condensation; examples are carefully chosen and worked; and each chapter has numerous homework problems, many of them original.
Quantum Mechanics in a Nutshell expertly addresses traditional and modern topics, including perturbation theory, WKBJ, variational methods, angular momentum, the Dirac equation, many-particle wave functions, Casimir Force, and Bell's Theorem. And it treats many topics--such as the interactions between photons and electrons, scattering theory, and density functional theory--in exceptional depth.
A valuable addition to the teaching literature, Quantum Mechanics in a Nutshell is ideally suited for a two-semester course.
The most concise, up-to-date, and accessible graduate textbook on the subject
Contains the ideal amount of material for a two-semester course
Focuses on the description of actual quantum systems, including a range of applications
Covers traditional topics, as well as those at the frontiers of research
Treats in unprecedented detail topics such as photon-electron interaction, scattering theory, and density functional theory
Includes numerous homework problems at the end of each chapter

Mahan, Gerald D.

Princeton University, Department of Art & Archaeology

In a nutshell (Princeton, N.J.), Princeton, ©2009

In a nutshell, Princeton, N.J, New Jersey, 2009

United States, United States of America

Illustrated, PT, 2009

Includes bibliographical references and index.

<p><P>This is an excellent textbook, written in a very readable style, and it should be perfectly accessible to beginning and intermediate physics graduate students. Gerald Mahan, the author of an acclaimed textbook on many-particle theory, has taught quantum mechanics extensively, and his thorough knowledge and deep understanding of the material is evident in every chapter of <i>Quantum Mechanics in a Nutshell</i>. Its examples are excellently worked out and it has many interesting homework problems.&#151;Uwe C. Tauber, Virginia Tech<P>This book compares well with other graduate textbooks on quantum mechanics, and I will seriously consider adopting it the next time I teach the subject. The choice of material is very good. Gerald Mahan has included both the usual standard topics and a large number of special topics, including some of current research interest. The book is rich in interesting applications, and each chapter has lots of well-chosen problems. If a student can master this book, he or she will have gained an excellent foundation in quantum mechanics.&#151;David G. Stroud, Ohio State University</p> <h3>Uwe C. Tauber - Current Engineering Practice</h3> <p>Praises in no way can do full justice to the strength and detail of Mahan's well crafted and superb nutshell book. I found the book fascinating, stimulating and convincing and one can easily observe that the book is bursting with intellectual energy and ambition. I am not a rated scientist but as a student and follower of science and scientific projects since the beginning of my academic career, I have come across several books of topical interest but this time I enjoyed Quantum Mechanics in A Nutshell as a whole for its intelligence and manner of treatment of topics. All said and done, it is a book that can be enjoyed by any science student interested in quantum mechanics.</p>

"Covering the fundamentals as well as many special topics of current interest, this is the most concise, up-to-date, and accessible graduate-level textbook on quantum mechanics available. Written by Gerald Mahan, a distinguished research physicist and author of an acclaimed textbook on many-particle physics, Quantum Mechanics in a Nutshell is the distillation of many years' teaching experience." "Quantum Mechanics in a Nutshell expertly addresses traditional and modern topics, including perturbation theory, WKBJ, variational methods, angular momentum, the Dirac equation, many-particle wave functions, Casimir Force, and Bell's Theorem. And it treats many topics - such as the interactions between photons and electrons, scattering theory, and density functional theory - in exceptional depth."--Jacket

x, 399 p. : 26 cm
Includes bibliographical references and index
Ch. 1. Introduction -- Ch. 2. One Dimension -- Ch. 3. Approximate Methods -- Ch. 4. Spin and Angular Momentum -- Ch. 5. Two and Three Dimensions -- Ch. 6. Matrix Methods and Perturbation Theory -- Ch. 7. Time-Dependent Perturbations -- Ch. 8. Electromagnetic Radiation -- Ch. 9. Many-Particle Systems -- Ch. 10. Scattering Theory -- Ch. 11. Relativistic Quantum Mechanics

2024-01-26