Quantum Field Theory: From Operators to Path Integrals

Book Description

A unique approach to quantum field theory, with emphasis on the principles of renormalization Quantum field theory is frequently approached from the perspective of particle physics. This book adopts a more general point of view and includes applications of condensed matter physics. Written by a highly respected writer and researcher, it first develops traditional concepts, including Feynman graphs, before moving on to key topics such as functional integrals, statistical mechanics, and Wilson's renormalization group. The connection between the latter and conventional perturbative renormalization is explained.

Quantum Field Theory is an exceptional textbook for graduate students familiar with advanced quantum mechanics as well as physicists with an interest in theoretical physics. It features:
* Coverage of quantum electrodynamics with practical calculations and a discussion of perturbative renormalization
* A discussion of the Feynman path integrals and a host of current subjects, including the physical approach to renormalization, spontaneous symmetry breaking and superfluidity, and topological excitations
* Nineteen self-contained chapters with exercises, supplemented with graphs and charts

Customer Reviews:

Extremely solid for self-teaching.......2006-04-06

This book is an ideal introduction to quantum field theory for a graduate student. Assuming a strong background in basic quantum mechanics and classical mechanics, Huang develops quantum field in a methodical fashion. In contrast to other popular quantum field theory books (such as Peskin) Huang doesn't leave out important details, especially with regard to the mathematics behind spinor fields. Plus the book is very readable.

A good introduction to the physics behind renormalization.......1999-05-16

A very good introduction to QFT. It starts with a rather classical account of QED, then develops renormalization and applies it mainly to statistical physics. So the text does not cover non-abelian gauge theories, and is not sufficient for readers who learn QFT for particle physics applications. But the exposition of renormalization is really excellent and complete. I liked the exceptional clarity and lucidity of most calculations, and the excellent set of problems. Solving them all extends the book's scope far beyond the table of contents.

Electronic Structure: Basic Theory and Practical Methods

Average customer rating:

A Gr8 Book on DFT Concepts
Excellent book
Not impressive
Outstanding

Electronic Structure: Basic Theory and Practical Methods
Richard M. Martin
Manufacturer: Cambridge University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Similar Items:

Atomic and Electronic Structure of Solids
Electronic Structure Calculations for Solids and Molecules: Theory and Computational Methods
Electronic Structure and the Properties of Solids: The Physics of the Chemical Bond
Understanding Molecular Simulation (Computational Science Series, Vol 1)
A Primer in Density Functional Theory (Lecture Notes in Physics)

ASIN: 0521782856

Book Description

The study of the electronic structure of materials is at a momentous stage, with the emergence of new computational methods and theoretical approaches. This volume provides an introduction to the field and describes its conceptual framework, the capabilities of present methods, limitations, and challenges for the future. Many properties of materials can now be determined directly from the fundamental equations of quantum mechanics, bringing new insights into critical problems in physics, chemistry, and materials science.

Customer Reviews:

A Gr8 Book on DFT Concepts.......2007-07-05

I like this book and would recommend it to any beginner into density functional theory. It explains all the modern electronic structure techniques in a rather simple language. Its much more easier and quicker than going into hundreds of papers and not knowing where to start.

The biggest issue with this book is a rather poor organisational structure to the book. That's why I've given it a 4/5 rating. There are some concepts that have been easily thrown in at the end, into the appendices.. and having to turn pages too frequently can be annoying.

But the good work has been done & I'd ask Mr Martin to re-organise the content.

This book has the potential to be a classic.

Excellent book.......2006-03-21

As a graduate student attempting to learn density functional theory and its use in computer programmes, I have found this book to be an excellent addition to my library. Well structured and written.

Not impressive.......2005-06-30

Although the topics the book embrasses are current and essential for practising chemists, physisists and materials scientists the pedagogic care with which it explains some of the topics is poor.

The author makes the assumption that the reader is familiarized with the heavy mathematical formalism and notation which is commonplace in specialized physics articles but fails to remember that graduate students that don't have a physics background, and come from other schools of thought such as chemistry, biochemistry or materials science, might be target readers.

For instance the book's introduction to Hartree-Fock theory must be the most complicated I've ever seen with constant recourse to Dirac's delta function (without even revealing its presence, stating simply that it should be there). The link between DFT and statistical thermodynamics although interesting is not essential for the heart of the discussion. Some classic program applications like Siesta are presented but you get the feeling that it's just for show off.

All in all if you're a physicist with some years of experience in the field of planewave computation you might find the book interesting.

Otherwise if you're a beginner like me forget it! The book by Efthimios Kaxiras (Atomic and Electronic Structure of Solids) is more revealing and pedagogic and supplies every detail in the mathematical formalism. Some physicists with a more chemical sensitivity such as Harrison, chemists such as Roald Hoffmann, Jeremy Burdett or Michael Springborg or materials scientists like Adrian Sutton or David Pettifor are better suited for the novice.

Outstanding.......2004-07-07

This book was recommended to me to help me in my research, and has turned out to be one of the best recommendations I have ever received. This is a great book; by far the best I have come across on the topic of computing the properties of condensed phase materials by quantum mechanical simulations. Here are the reasons why.

1. The chapters are well laid out and one chapter flows neatly to the next.

2. The math is kept to a minimum; the author makes a point of communicating important principles and ideas in concise sentences without resorting to derivations. This is ideal for engineers like me; who by training do not know that much math as compared to physicists who specialize in the solid state.

3. Important ideas are clarified up front. Many texts will lead the reader through long and windy paths of proofs and logic before arriving at the conclusion; thereby losing their reader in the process. Not here; important points are stated clearly at the beginning and at the end of each section.

4. Compare, contrast, and context. There are many ideas, models, approximations, and theorems that have been developed in the past century related to electronic structure. Many of these are closely related to each other in their inspiration, derivation, practice, and/or applications. This book makes the connections between the different concepts. For a non-expert reading through the electronic structure literature, terms like APW, OPW, PAW, LAPW, LMTO, etc... can be quite confusing if not placed within an overriding context. This book provides that context.

5. Good use of appendices. Electronic structure is a lot like politics; most practicioners in either field did not receive formal educations in the subject, but instead got into it under the apprenticeship of other people. This is reflected by a lot of literature by those who succeeded in the field; most of it good in showing of the authors' achievements, but generally useless in preparing the next generation of practicioners. For electronic structure, this is manifested by the many books that require prior knowledge of quantum, thermo, crystallography, mat sci, etc.. In effect, these books were written by experts to be read by other experts. Not this book. Basic ideas are kept in the text; and specific proofs and derivations are kept in the appendices. The result is a text that is much easier to read than most others.

6. The book is concept driven; not application driven. Most texts in materials simulations are actually a compilation of chapters written independently by multiple authors. Each chapter might be given a general title; but the text will be bias towards the research of its authors. For example, a chapter on surface calculations might focus entirely on adsorption, or relaxation/reconstruction, or optical properties; but surely not touching all these subjects. This book does not do this; each chapter is driven by basic concepts, and one concept leads to the next.

Book Description

This comprehensive textbook utilizes Green's functions and the equations derived from them to solve real physical problems in solid-state theoretical physics. Green's functions are used to describe processes in solids and quantum fluids and to address problems in areas such as electron gas, polarons, electron transport, optical response, superconductivity and superfluidity.
The updated third edition features several new chapters on different mean-free paths, Hubbard model, Coulomb blockade, and the quantum Hall effect. New sections have been added, while original sections have been modified to include recent applications.
This text is ideal for third- or fourth-year graduate students and includes numerous study problems and an extensive bibliography.

Customer Reviews:

Good book but so much money.......2006-07-22

This book is massive and covers a huge spectrum of material. Probably not cost effective in comparison to Fetter and Walecka unless you get it for under eighty bucks. I enjoyed it quite a bit until the Postal Service stole it from me.

Containing too many misprints........2001-11-19

Unfortunately, the 3rd edition of Mahan's book contains enormous number of misprints. Sometimes, it is impossible to understand what is meant by the author without consulting the previous edition. For example, in Sec. 4.1.5. the author refers in the text to the equation which apparently should be between Eqs. (4.126) and (4.127) but which had been omitted. At the same time, some evident drawbacks of the previous edition have not been corrected. For example, the definition of the thermodynamic average used in Sec. 3.6 is different from that used in the previous sections, although it is not mentioned in the text. Despite the book is an excellent introduction into the field of Many-Particle Physics, I would recommend to the customer to either buy the previous edition or to wait for a new one.

Bien detaille, comprehensible........1999-03-16

Un excellent livre sur un sujet d'actualite. G. Mahan discute de nombreuses en detaillant a chaque fois les etapes necessaires et en ne negligeant pas les explications ni les liens entre les differentes theories. Vu le prix, courez a votre bibliotheque pour vous le procurer!

Quantum Kinetics in Transport and Optics of Semiconductors (Springer Series in Solid-State Sciences)

Average customer rating:

A very useful book on Keldysh techniques

Quantum Kinetics in Transport and Optics of Semiconductors (Springer Series in Solid-State Sciences)
Hartmut Haug , and Antti-Pekka Jauho
Manufacturer: Springer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Green's Functions in Quantum Physics (Springer Series in Solid-State Sciences)
Condensed Matter Field Theory

ASIN: 3540616020

Book Description

Quantum Kinetics in Transport and Optics of Semiconductors deals with the quantum kinetics for transport in low-dimensional microstructures and for ultrashort laser-pulse spectroscopy. The nonequilibrium Green function theory is described and used for the derivation of the quantum kinetic equations. Numerical methods for the solution of the retarded quantum kinetic equations are discussed and results are presented for quantum high-field transport and for mesoscopic transport phenomena. Quantum beats, polarization decay and non-Markovian behaviour are treated for femtosecond spectroscopy on a microscopic basis.

Customer Reviews:

A very useful book on Keldysh techniques.......1999-05-28

I recommend this book to anyone who wants an introduction to nonequilibrium Green function techniques. It is much more readible and up-to-date than Kadanoff and Baym's "Quantum Statistical Mechanics".

Average customer rating:

Perfect for engineers

Modern Physics for Engineers
Jasprit Singh
Manufacturer: Wiley-Interscience
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Quantum Mechanics - Fundamentals and Applications to Technology
Quantum Mechanics (2nd Edition)

ASIN: 0471330442

Book Description

Linking physics fundamentals to modern technology-a highly applied primer for students and engineers

Reminding us that modern inventions-new materials, information technologies, medical technological breakthroughs-are based on well-established fundamental principles of physics, Jasprit Singh integrates important topics from quantum mechanics, statistical thermodynamics, and materials science, as well as the special theory of relativity. He then goes a step farther and applies these fundamentals to the workings of electronic devices-an essential leap for anyone interested in developing new technologies.

From semiconductors to nuclear magnetic resonance to superconducting materials to global positioning systems, Professor Singh draws on wide-ranging applications to demonstrate each concept under discussion. He downplays extended mathematical derivations in favor of results and their real-world design implication, supplementing the book with nearly 100 solved examples, 120 figures, and 200 end-of-chapter problems.

Modern Physics for Engineers provides engineering and physics students with an accessible, unified introduction to the complex world underlying today's design-oriented curriculums. It is also an extremely useful resource for engineers and applied scientists wishing to take advantage of research opportunities in diverse fields.

Customer Reviews:

Perfect for engineers.......2000-08-22

This book covers topics in modern physics that are the most important for the engineer. It makes an equilibrated use of figures, tables and conceptual diagrams, thus providing a clear guideline for the student. It also provides small but interesting historic introductions in some chapters, that also help to understand why different theories appeared. This could all be done without forgetting the necessary theoretical and mathematical rigorousness. A very good book for engineers.

Quantum Theory of Solids, 2nd Revised Edition

Average customer rating:

Still a good book
Good Overall Review of Advanced Solid State Theory
Excellent book!

Quantum Theory of Solids, 2nd Revised Edition
Charles Kittel
Manufacturer: Wiley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Similar Items:

Principles of the Theory of Solids
Quantum Theory of Many-Particle Systems
Electrons and Phonons: The Theory of Transport Phenomena in Solids (Oxford Classic Texts in the Physical Sciences)
Solid State Physics
Introduction to Superconductivity: Second Edition (Dover Books on Physics)

ASIN: 0471624128

Book Description

A modern presentation of theoretical solid state physics that builds directly upon Kittel's Introduction to Solid State Physics. Treats phonon, electron, and magnon fields, culminating in the BCS theory of superconductivity. Considers Fermi surfaces and electron wave functions and develops the group theoretical description of Brillouin zones. Applies correlation functions to time-dependent effects in solids, with an introduction to Green's functions. With 110 problems, the text is well-suited for the classroom or for self-instruction.

Customer Reviews:

Still a good book.......2003-02-21

It is too bad this book is out of print, for it gives a good introduction to the quantum theory as applied to condensed matter, despite the many advances that have taken place since the date of publication, such as high-temperature superconductivity, the fractional quantum Hall effect, and nanoscale physics. Therefore, if a copy can be found, it is still worth perusing and having on one's shelf. I only read the first 8 chapters of the book, so my review will be confined to them.

After a brief introduction to the mathematics needed in the book, the author begins in chapter 2 with a treatment of acoustic phonons, which arise from the canonical quantization of the transverse motion of a continuous elastic line under tension. This object is handled using the Lagrangian formalism, and after finding the Hamiltonian density, employing a canonical transformation, the (bosonic) creation and annihilation operators are found: phonon excitations. Both longitudinal and transverse modes are shown to exist in general. Bogoliubov transformations are then used to show how phonons may arise in a system of weakly interacting particles. The author then derives the expression for the velocity of "second sound" in a phonon gas. Experimental evidence for second sound in liquid helium was known at the time of publication, but since then evidence has accumulated in Bose gases and in certain types of crystals, such as KTaO and SrTiO. The phenomenon of second sound has also been of considerable interest in the study of nonlinear optical phenomena in smectic liquid crystals. The author also discusses the occurence of van Hove singularities in the phonon frequency distribution function, and points to their connection with Morse theory.

In chapter 3 the author concentrates his attention on plasmons, which arises from longitudinal excitations in an electron gas, and optical phonons in ionic crystals. He then extends the latter analysis to include the interaction of optical phonons with photons, which he also treats using quantum field theory, giving what he calls a quantum theory of a classical dielectric.

The theory of spin waves, or "magnons" is discussed in chapter 4, wherein the author first treats ferromagnetic magnons via the consideration of the Hamiltonian consisting of nearest-neighbor exchange and Zeeman contributions. The dispersion relation for both optical and acoustical magnons in a spin system forming a Bravais lattice is derived and compared with experiment for magnetite. The author then treats antiferromagnetic magnons and discusses the zero-point sublattice magnetization and the heat capacity of antiferromagnets. He then returns to ferromagnetic magnons but from a more macroscopic point of view, treating the magnetization as a macroscopic field, rather than dealing with individual spins. Lastly, he considers the excitation of ferromagnetic magnons by parallel pumping and the temperature dependence of effective exchange.

After a short review of the Hartree-Fock approximation in chapter 5, the author considers the all-important electron gas in chapter 6. The electron gas, particularly in two dimensions, has been the subject of great interest since this book was first published, not only because of its technological importance, but also its role in the quantum Hall effect and the fractional quantum Hall effect. Although density functional and renormalization group methods are the current favored ones for studying the electron gas, readers can still gain much from the reading of the chapter. The author concentrates his attention on the approximate calculation of the correlation energy of the degenerate electron gas, particularly at high density. To do this he uses the self-consistent field approach and he exploits the frequency and wavevector dielectric constant as a tool for studying many-body interactions. Several bread-and-butter topics in quantum many-body theory appear in this chapter, such as the linked cluster expansion, which appear in other more complicated (relativistic) contexts, such as high energy physics.

The author introduces polarons in chapter 7 as a consequence of any deformation of the ideal periodic lattice of positive ion cores on the motion of conduction electrons, and notes that even the zero-point motion of phonons effects this motion. The interaction of an electron with the lattice results in a "lattice polarization field" around the electron, and the resulting composite particle is the polaron, which, as expected, has a larger effective mass then the electron in an unperturbed lattice. The electron-phonon interaction results in resistivity, results in attenuation of ultrasonic waves in metals, and results in some cases to an attractive interaction between electrons, this being one of the precursors of superconductivity. The problem of electron-phonon interaction in metals has been the subject of much study in attempts to give quantum field theory a rigorous mathematical foundation, particularly via the study of the "jellium model".

Chapter 8 is very important, and its content reveals again the age of the book. The phenomenon of superconductivity, and its description by the Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer theory, is known as one of the triumphs of the quantum theory of solids. Of course, when this book was published, superconducting materials at high temperature, were not known. The author though gives a detailed overview of the BCS theory, starting with the Hamiltonian for the electrons, phonons, and their first-order interactions (the strength measured by a certain real constant D). Using a canonical transformation, the author reduces the Hamiltonian to one with no off-diagonal terms of order D. This results in an expression for an electron-electron interaction which can be attractive for excitation energies in a certain range (involving the Debye energy). Keeping only this interaction in the Hamiltonian, for wave vectors that satisfy this range constraint, the author studies the properties of bound electron pairs, and shows how they bring about superconductivity. He also outlines an alternative solution to the BCS equation, using what he calls the equation-of-motion method. More modern treatments of superconductivity employ the use of Higgs fields and the renormalization group, these approaches shedding light on whether one can indeed view superconductivity as a "macroscopic manifestation of quantum physics".

Good Overall Review of Advanced Solid State Theory.......2000-05-28

A good book in addition to another introductory text. I covers the subject manner in an orderly fashion and reviews the theory in an intricate fashion. However, the mathematical notation is not what one would expect from other Solid State texts however the same conventions are used from his introductory book on Solid State Physics. An excellent investment for those interested.

Excellent book!.......2000-03-30

This book contains all the necessary formalism to become aquainted with many-body theory and Green's functions. The writing is clear and to the point.

Average customer rating:

Miraculous Textbook
Landmark of Theoretical Condensed Matter Physics book!!!
Simple Language

Condensed Matter Field Theory
Alexander Altland , and Ben Simons
Manufacturer: Cambridge University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Quantum Liquids: Bose Condensation and Cooper Pairing in Condensed-Matter Systems (Oxford Graduate Texts)
Quantum Field Theory
Quantum Theory of Many-Particle Systems
Many-Body Quantum Theory in Condensed Matter Physics: An Introduction (Oxford Graduate Texts)
Advanced Solid State Physics

ASIN: 0521845084

Book Description

Over the past few decades, in concert with ground-breaking experimental advances, condensed matter theory has drawn increasingly from the language of low-energy quantum field theory. This primer is aimed at elevating graduate students of condensed matter theory to a level where they can engage in independent research. It emphasizes the development of modern methods of classical and quantum field theory with applications oriented around condensed matter physics. Topics covered include second quantization, path and functional field integration, mean-field theory and collective phenomena, the renormalization group, and topology. Conceptual aspects and formal methodology are emphasized, but the discussion is rooted firmly in practical experimental application. As well as routine exercises, the text includes extended and challenging problems, with fully worked solutions, designed to provide a bridge between formal manipulations and research-oriented thinking. This book will complement graduate level courses on theoretical quantum condensed matter physics.

Customer Reviews:

Miraculous Textbook.......2007-06-11

This book is really incredible. It is one of only a handful of really readable physics texts, and it carefully moves from very friendly explanations of basic concepts, such as a two page review of Gaussian integrals (things like this make it a great reference), to very advanced material. The last chapter on topology, for example, doesn't hold back from using the full machinery of differential geometry, but also provides a great tutorial on the subject.

Also, a closer read reveals that this book's point of view is thoroughly modern, in the sense that it puts symmetry concepts and non-perturbative techniques front and center. The authors do readers a huge service by promoting the idea that one of the keys to understanding complex quantum systems is to correctly identify their fundamental excitations.

Landmark of Theoretical Condensed Matter Physics book!!!.......2007-02-05

This is an extremely well-written book, which covers almost all the modern topics in condensed matter physics while keeps the physics and mathematics clear and simple.

It is an invaluable reference or textbook for graduate students who are interested in theoretical condensed matter physics, esp. in strongly correlated systems.

It is almost the best book I have seen for a graduate student to study the functional method, renormalization-group theory, etc., applied to condensed matter systems.

Simple Language.......2007-01-23

This book is a good introduction to Field Theory applied in condensed matter physics. In dealing with two difficult subjects the authors do it in a very simple language. This is very important either to beginners or experts. There are very good solved examples to illustrate each section. Besides, there are small boxes citing the people behind the development of the issue.

Quantum Physics of Atoms, Molecules, Solids, Nuclei, and Particles

Average customer rating:

Awesome Physics Book!
wonderful and enlightening to read!
Buy Griffiths Instead
Great introduction, focused on understanding
One of the best

Quantum Physics of Atoms, Molecules, Solids, Nuclei, and Particles
Robert Eisberg , and Robert Resnick
Manufacturer: Wiley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Introduction to Electrodynamics (3rd Edition)
An Introduction to Quantum Physics (Mit Introductory Physics Series)
Classical Dynamics of Particles and Systems
Introduction to Quantum Mechanics (2nd Edition)
Experiments in Modern Physics, Second Edition

ASIN: 047187373X

Book Description

A revision of a successful junior/senior level text, this introduction to elementary quantum mechanics clearly explains the properties of the most important quantum systems. Emphasizes the applications of theory, and contains new material on particle physics, electron-positron annihilation in solids and the Mossbauer effect. Includes new appendices on such topics as crystallography, Fourier Integral Description of a Wave Group, and Time-Independent Perturbation Theory.

Customer Reviews:

Awesome Physics Book!.......2007-01-26

This is an awesome physcis book. It really allowed me to wrap my mind around some of them really big concepts. Sometimes my brain hurt! But I kept reading, just knowing it would make me smarter than George. He thinks he knows everything but he doesn't. Anyway, the book is better than a basket of spare ribs with extra sauce!

wonderful and enlightening to read!.......2005-03-19

This book catches my attention to a point that I cannot put it down until I have finished a chapter. It is true that the book is focused on understanding the physical concepts with little math...this can be confusing at times...but I still think highly of it.

Buy Griffiths Instead.......2004-06-24

This book was confusing, chaotic, and utterly disapointing. If your professor assigns this book I suggest you do not buy it but borrow from a friend. Instead use Griffiths to learn QM. Since moving onto graduate school I have learned just how little I learned from this book. Moreover, I was confused about simple issues in QM which Cohen-Tannoudji quickly and clearly dispelled. This book actually hurt my education. I can not for the life of me understand how anyone could give this book 3, 4, or even 5 stars.

Great introduction, focused on understanding.......2003-12-05

This book is an excellent introduction to Quantum Physics. This book gives the non-expert reader an insight into the tremendous explanatory power of quantum mechanics. It describes why and how Quantum Mechanics was developed, and it is primarily concerned with the understanding of concepts and ideas, rather than focusing on mathematical techniques. For this reason it might appear a little verbose to some readers.

The first five chapters gives the reader a good insight into the history of Quantum Physics and to why classical mechanics was insufficient. Chapter 6 is an excellent overview of how to solve the Schroedinger Equation in a few specific cases, at the same time as the reader is given a very good "feeling" for how Quantum Mechanics works. The remainder of the chapters focuses on specific situations, applications and phenomena's.

There are plenty of books that use less mathematics, but I do not believe they give a good understanding of the topic. There are also plenty of books that uses a lot more complex mathematics, but they are not for beginners. I recommend this book as an introduction to Quantum Physics for undergraduate physics students, engineers, science professionals, and mathematically literate others.

For reference, these are the chapters in the book:
(1) Thermal Radiation and Plank's Postulate
(2) Photons--Particlelike Properties of Radiation
(3) De Broglie's Postulate--Wavelike Properties of Particles
(4) Bohr's Model of the Atom
(5) Schroedinger's Theory of Quantum Mechanics
(6) Solutions of Time-Independent Schroedinger Equations
(7) One-Electron Atoms
(8) Magnetic Dipole Moments, Spin, and Transition Rates
(9) Multielectron Atoms--Ground States and X-Ray Excitations
(10) Multielectron Atoms--Optical Excitations
(11) Quantum Statistics
(12) Molecules
(13) Solids--Conductors and Semiconductors
(14) Solids--Superconductors and Magnetic Properties
(15) Nuclear Models
(16) Nuclear Decay and Nuclear Reactions
(17) Introduction to Elementary Particles
(18) More Elementary Particles

I liked Appendix A, "The Special Theory of Relativity". In only sixteen pages, the authors succeed to correctly explain the special theory of relativity. I also liked Appendix C, "The Boltzmann Distribution", which was good concise description of classical statistical mechanics (you need to understand it, to understand why it was not good enough).

One of the best.......2002-09-02

This is one of the best introductory quantum mechanics textbooks. Since the mid-twentieth century, the tendency to avoid philosophical problems in favor of sheer calculation--a tendency supported by Dirac's famous maxim "follow the mathematics"--has resulted in increasingly terse books laden with practical formulae. There may be no returning to the period in which calculation and meditation went hand in hand, but at least this book has enough prose to raise issues of realism and reality, calculability and motivation, discovery and error. I can't imagine the attitude of students (and reviewers!) who prefer the equations alone.

Average customer rating:

Quantum Phase Transitions
Subir Sachdev
Manufacturer: Cambridge University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Interacting Electrons and Quantum Magnetism (Graduate Texts in Contemporary Physics)
Quantum Many Particle Systems (Advanced Book Classics)
Quantum Theory of Many-Particle Systems
Introduction to Superconductivity: Second Edition (Dover Books on Physics)
PHASE TRANSITIONS (Frontiers in Physics, 85)

ASIN: 0521004543

Book Description

Quantum Phase Transitions details the fundamental changes that can occur in the macroscopic nature of matter at zero temperature due to small variations in a given external parameter. The author develops the theory of quantum phase transitions in the simplest possible class of nondisordered, interacting systems--the quantum Ising and rotor models. He pays particular attention to their non-zero temperature dynamic and transport properties in the vicinity of the quantum critical point. Throughout, experimental results are interwoven with theoretical models, and well over 500 references are included.

Average customer rating:

Really a no good book
Very Clear
The Little Big Book
very smooth explanations
Quantum Mechanics made Understandable

Why Things Are the Way They Are
B. S. Chandrasekhar
Manufacturer: Cambridge University Press
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Binding: Paperback

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The Great Design: Particles, Fields, and Creation
It's About Time: Understanding Einstein's Relativity
What Makes Nature Tick?
Relativity and Its Roots
Where Does the Weirdness Go?: Why Quantum Mechanics is Strange, But Not as Strange as You Think

ASIN: 0521456606

Book Description

This fascinating book explains why the materials we can see and touch behave as they do. In a completely nontechnical style, using only basic arithmetic, the author explains how the properties of materials result from the way they are composed of atoms and why it is they have the properties they do: for example, why copper and rubies are colored, why metals conduct heat better than glass, why magnets attract an iron nail but not a brass pin, and how superconductors are able to conduct electricity without resistance. The book is intended for general readers, and uses mainly words, pictures and analogies, with only a minimum of very simple mathematics. The author explains how it is possible to understand the basic properties of matter, and translates the technical jargon of physics into a language that can be understood by anyone with an interest in science who wants to know why the world around us behaves in the way that it does.

Customer Reviews:

Really a no good book.......2007-03-20

This book is the worst book I ever purchased I want my money back

Very Clear.......2002-07-04

This book provides a clear and interesting description of how quantum mechanics explains the workings and properties of light and matter. Learn why copper is the color it is and why glass is transparent to light, among other things. These explanations are provided in a mostly non-mathematical way but at the same time are not fluff. Its nice to see a book explain how quantum theory effects everyday life instead of the usual round of mystical pronouncements. I was actually surprised at how engaging the book was, actually at times I could hardly put it down. Hard to believe getting all that interested into why things are the way they are but if you are interested in physics and engineering you will find this an enjoyable book. I would like to see the author write more books on other aspects of physics and quantum theory.

The Little Big Book.......2002-03-11

Most people may find certain aspects of Physics as overbearing , too confusing,and mathematically FORBIDING.Anybody who has studied Physics knows that Quantum Physics is the foundation of modern physics.I found this book inviting,imformative,and very helpful in my self study of modern physics ,without the mazes of mathematical formulations,matrics,transformations,and operators overcoming my train of thought. The skill of the author as a writer makes this book a smooth and educating read.I recommend this book to anybody interested in physics.

very smooth explanations.......2001-08-10

This is very interesting book about somee selected concepts and physics of the materials. There are no formulas, everything is in narrative format. Author starts with crystal structures, particle wave concepts, atom, some quantum mechanical concepts and than application of quantum concepts to heat transfer, magnetism, conduction, electric current and super conductivity.Author provides very nice descriptive pictures and diagrams. Any one who wants to read more about similar subjects with more formulas, still easy reading could also profit from " Understanding Properties of Matter by De posta".

Quantum Mechanics made Understandable.......2001-06-24

I am a network engineer with little rememberance of my college physics. I'm in the process of reacquainting myself with physics and picked up this book. I found it exceptionally interesting, understandable, well explained, and well illustrated. The development is exceptionally smooth, starting from first principles and carefully building concepts. It was sophisticated enough so that there is real meat, not just fluff. I feel it has prepared me to dive into more rigorous QM textbooks because I have an understanding of some of the consequences of QM.

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