Book recommendation: Mathematical treatment

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around recommendations for introductory-level books on Quantum Mechanics that incorporate advanced mathematical concepts. Participants seek texts that do not overly simplify the mathematical framework and are suitable for readers with a strong mathematical background.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests "Quantum Mechanics and the Particles of Nature: An Outline for Mathematicians" by Anthony Sudbery as a suitable text, noting its clarity in mathematics without excessive focus on mathematical theory.
  • Another participant mentions a different book that emphasizes functional analysis over group theory, indicating a preference for texts that align with their mathematical interests.
  • Several participants express interest in the links provided to additional resources, indicating a collaborative effort to find suitable materials.
  • One participant inquires about "Prugovecki," seeking clarification on whether it focuses on the mathematics used in quantum mechanics or introduces both the mathematics and the quantum mechanics concepts.
  • Another participant mentions their background in linear algebra, functional analysis, and Lie algebras, looking for a text that assumes a rigorous mathematical foundation while introducing quantum mechanics.
  • There is a question regarding the rigor of Landau's book, specifically whether it justifies its mathematical content logically.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying preferences for different texts and approaches, indicating that no consensus exists on a single recommended book. Some participants appreciate the suggestions made, while others seek further clarification and additional recommendations.

Contextual Notes

Participants' recommendations depend on their individual experiences and backgrounds in mathematics and physics, leading to a range of suggested texts that may not meet everyone's criteria. The discussion reflects differing opinions on the balance between mathematical rigor and accessibility in quantum mechanics literature.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for students and educators in physics and mathematics looking for advanced texts on quantum mechanics that align with their mathematical proficiency and conceptual understanding.

cliowa
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I'm looking for a book on Quantum Mechanics on an introductory level (concerning the physics), which is fairly advanced concerning the mathematics (i.e. some book that does not praise as a mathematical revolution that there actually is something called a dual space to some vector space). Do you have any recommendations?

Best regards and thanks in advance...Cliowa
 
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cliowa said:
I'm looking for a book on Quantum Mechanics on an introductory level (concerning the physics), which is fairly advanced concerning the mathematics (i.e. some book that does not praise as a mathematical revolution that there actually is something called a dual space to some vector space). Do you have any recommendations?

Best regards and thanks in advance...Cliowa

You might want to look at Quantum Mechanics and the Particles of Nature: An Outline for Mathematicians by Anthony Sudbery. This book was written for final-year British mathematics students. This book, unlike many physics books, has nice, crisp mathematics, but it does not dwell on mathematics, so it might (Edit: Yikes, I left out the word "not".) be what you're looking for. I quite like this book.

Another possibility is https://www.amazon.com/dp/0486453278/?tag=pfamazon01-20, which does a lot more functional analysis (and less group theory) than does Sudbery.
 
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George Jones said:
You might want to look at Quantum Mechanics and the Particles of Nature: An Outline for Mathematicians by Anthony Sudbery. This book was written for final-year British mathematics students. This book, unlike many physics books, has nice, crisp mathematics, but it does not dwell on mathematics, so it might (Edit: Yikes, I left out the word "not".) be what you're looking for. I quite like this book.

Another possibility is https://www.amazon.com/dp/0486453278/?tag=pfamazon01-20, which does a lot more functional analysis (and less group theory) than does Sudbery.

Wow, thanks for those two links, they look quite promising. In fact, I already had a llook at Prugovecki, and I have to admit I like it quite a lot. Thanks again.
 
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Hurkyl said:
If you follow the "links" link at the top of the site, you will eventually come to this site:

http://www.lorentz.leidenuniv.nl/modphys/

That is a good link, thank you very much. I wasn't aware of the existence of this set of notes.
 
George Jones said:
You might want to look at Quantum Mechanics and the Particles of Nature: An Outline for Mathematicians by Anthony Sudbery. This book was written for final-year British mathematics students. This book, unlike many physics books, has nice, crisp mathematics, but it does not dwell on mathematics, so it might (Edit: Yikes, I left out the word "not".) be what you're looking for. I quite like this book.

Another possibility is Prugovecki, which does a lot more functional analysis (and less group theory) than does Sudbery.

Can you recommend any other text similar to Sudbery's that is still more group theoretic than Prugovecki? Sudbery seems to be out of print, I saw a copy of it going for $600 on half.com!
 
Just a question about Prugovecki-- this is what the description says:
A rigorous, critical presentation of the basic mathematics of nonrelativistic quantum mechanics, this text is suitable for courses in functional analysis at the advanced undergraduate and graduate levels.
So am I right in assuming that this is a book on the mathematics that is used in quantum mechanics? Or does it introduce the mathematics and the quantum mechanics?
I've had linear algebra, functional analysis and am currently learning Lie algebras and partial differential equations, so I'm looking for some sort of an introduction to quantum mechanics that presupposes the student is comfortable with rigorous mathematics (Or atleast, analysis and algebra) assumes no quantum background.
I've heard Mackey is good in that regard.
Does anyone have any input? Is Prugovecki such a book?
I heard that Landau's book is good, but is it rigorous in the mathematical sense? (i.e. is everything justified in a logical manner?)
Thanks.
 

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