Good graduate text in quantum mechanics

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around recommendations for graduate-level textbooks in quantum mechanics. Participants share their experiences with various texts and seek suggestions for alternatives that provide a deeper understanding than undergraduate materials.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses dissatisfaction with Griffiths' textbook and currently prefers Gottfried and Yan's "Quantum Mechanics: Fundamentals," noting its formal treatment but also its terseness.
  • Another participant suggests that many on the forum advocate for Ballentine as a strong choice for quantum mechanics.
  • A participant inquires specifically about Sakurai's textbook, seeking opinions on its suitability.
  • Responses indicate that while Sakurai is considered acceptable, Ballentine is recommended for those with a solid background in mathematics.
  • One participant, identifying as an undergraduate, seeks deeper texts than Griffiths that could also serve at the graduate level and mentions finding Ballentine to be excellent after starting to read it.
  • Another participant reiterates the search for alternatives to Ballentine and Sakurai, while also affirming the quality of Gottfried and Yan's text.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that Ballentine is a strong recommendation, but there is no consensus on the best text overall, as preferences vary based on individual backgrounds and needs.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express a desire for texts that are more in-depth than Griffiths, indicating a potential gap in foundational understanding or differing expectations of graduate-level material.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for graduate students in physics or related fields seeking recommendations for quantum mechanics textbooks, as well as undergraduate students looking to advance their understanding of the subject.

christianwos
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Hello everybody.
I am looking for a good graduate text in quantum mechanics. I studied from Griffiths during my undergraduate career and I loathed it. I thought it was sloppy and poorly arranged.
Currently I have the one by Gottfried and Yan, "Quantum Mechanics: Fundamentals." I like it. It seems to be a formal treatment of the subject requiring a lot of engagement on the reader's part. However, sometimes it is too terse, in my opinion. I also know that some people love Landau's text. Here is my question: is Landau's a graduate text or an undergraduate text? Or does any of you have any other suggestion? (I know some people use Sakurai)
Thanks.
 
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Thank you. What about Sakurai?
 
Sakurai's not bad. But if your background if good enough to follow Ballentine, I would go for the latter.
 
Thank you for the suggestion. You were right, Ballentine is an excellent textbook, as far as I can tell.
 
i had the same question although i am an undergraduate student i would like a book more deeper than griffiths which could help me understand QM now and be a useful textbook for a graduate level..

Are there any other suggestions than Ballentine and Sakurai?
 
dimostheof said:
i had the same question although i am an undergraduate student i would like a book more deeper than griffiths which could help me understand QM now and be a useful textbook for a graduate level..

Are there any other suggestions than Ballentine and Sakurai?

To be honest, now that I started reading Ballentine, I have to admit that it is an excellent textbook. If you have a strong mathematical background I would strongly suggest you take a look at it. Gottfried and Yan is very good, too, in my opinion.
 

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