Identifying an old quantum mechanics textbook

[Lord Jestocost]

In the paper “Schrödinger's original quantum-mechanical solution for hydrogen” (Eur. J. Phys. 42 035405, 2021), Anna Galler, Jeremy Canfield and James K. Freericks remark: “The 1929 textbook Quantum Mechanics by Condon and Morse presents the Frobenius method for solving the hydrogen atom……”

 

[julian]

In the paper “Schrödinger's original quantum-mechanical solution for hydrogen” (Eur. J. Phys. 42 035405, 2021), Anna Galler, Jeremy Canfield and James K. Freericks remark: “The 1929 textbook Quantum Mechanics by Condon and Morse presents the Frobenius method for solving the hydrogen atom……”

There wasn't much information about it on Amazon, so I did a quick Google search for "Quantum Mechanics by Condon and Morse" and found an online copy here:

https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.$b568098&seq=9.

Coincidentally, it's another McGraw Hill publication. HathiTrust, where I found the copy, notes on their "About" page that they operate lawfully:

https://www.hathitrust.org/about/.

Although the final chapter isn't on the Dirac equation.

I looked up the date of publication of Dirac's equation and it was only published in 1928. There's a reference to Dirac's recent work on page 215:

It's intriguing to look at a book that references the Dirac equation so soon after its publication because the equation was groundbreaking in its time, having a profound impact on our understanding of quantum mechanics and particle physics. The fact that the authors mention Dirac's work in this 1929 book, just a year after the equation was published in 1928, shows how quickly and significantly it influenced the field.

 

[Demystifier]

In the paper “Schrödinger's original quantum-mechanical solution for hydrogen” (Eur. J. Phys. 42 035405, 2021), Anna Galler, Jeremy Canfield and James K. Freericks remark: “The 1929 textbook Quantum Mechanics by Condon and Morse presents the Frobenius method for solving the hydrogen atom……”

This appears to be the oldest QM textbook, older than Dirac (1930) and Heisenberg (1930).

 

[pines-demon]

This appears to be the oldest QM textbook, older than Dirac (1930) and Heisenberg (1930).

Were there some previous textbook on old quantum mechanics?

 

[Demystifier]

Were there some previous textbook on old quantum mechanics?

Not to my knowledge.

Tomonaga wrote a book on old QM, but in 1962:
S.-I. Tomonaga, Quantum Mechanics Volume 1 Old Quantum Theory (1962)

Sommerfeld, who was a pioneer in old QM, wrote many great books, including a book called "Wave Mechanics" (1936) which is what we call quantum mechanics today. But to my knowledge, he never wrote a book on old QM.

 

[Lord Jestocost]

Were there some previous textbook on old quantum mechanics?

THE NEW QUANTUM MECHANICS by GEORGE BIRTWISTLE (CAMBRIDGE AT THE UNIVERSITY PRESS 1928)


PREFACE
This book is concerned with the development of quantum mechanics during the past two years. A detailed account is given of the matrix theory of Heisenberg, Born and Jordan, the g-number theory of Dirac, and the wave mechanics of Schrödinger. The earlier chapters are devoted to a restatement of the Landé theory of the multiplets in a form which is in consonance with the new mechanics which is to follow; some later chapters are given up to the de Broglie theory of particles and their waves, and to the new statistics of Bose, Einstein, Fermi and Dirac. The book closes with the resonance theory of the helium spectrum lately given by Heisenberg, and with the new speculations of Bohr on the limitations imposed by the quantum theory upon the possibilities of experimental observation.

G. B.
HOTEL PHOENIX, COPENHAGEN 1 October 1927

 

[pines-demon]

THE NEW QUANTUM MECHANICS by GEORGE BIRTWISTLE (CAMBRIDGE AT THE UNIVERSITY PRESS 1928)


PREFACE
This book is concerned with the development of quantum mechanics during the past two years. A detailed account is given of the matrix theory of Heisenberg, Born and Jordan, the g-number theory of Dirac, and the wave mechanics of Schrödinger. The earlier chapters are devoted to a restatement of the Landé theory of the multiplets in a form which is in consonance with the new mechanics which is to follow; some later chapters are given up to the de Broglie theory of particles and their waves, and to the new statistics of Bose, Einstein, Fermi and Dirac. The book closes with the resonance theory of the helium spectrum lately given by Heisenberg, and with the new speculations of Bohr on the limitations imposed by the quantum theory upon the possibilities of experimental observation.

G. B.
HOTEL PHOENIX, COPENHAGEN 1 October 1927

This is earlier than the book of Condon and Morse! (but still on "modern" quantum mechanics)

 

[bob012345]

I’m curious. Did you ever identify the book you used? If not, can you provide more details such as color, size, what year you used it, was it old then or newish, ect. Thanks.

 

[julian]

I did rule out a couple more books. Something came up and required my full attention, so I got sidetracked. I believe the one I’m looking for is a reddish-brown or brown hardcover with a simple, plain design. Unfortunately, I’m still unable to dedicate much attention to this right now due to other pressing matters, but I appreciate your interest and will follow up when I can.

 

[pinball1970]

I did rule out a couple more books. Something came up and required my full attention, so I got sidetracked. I believe the one I’m looking for is a reddish-brown or brown hardcover with a simple, plain design. Unfortunately, I’m still unable to dedicate much attention to this right now due to other pressing matters, but I appreciate your interest and will follow up when I can.

A couple from the 60s which I have stuck in the book shop.

 

[julian]

A couple from the 60s which I have stuck in the book shop.

View attachment 354556

Thanks for the suggestion. Unfortunetly, I haven't been able to find much information on the contents.

 

[pinball1970]

Thanks for the suggestion. Unfortunetly, I haven't been able to find much information on the contents.

This is part of the contents, the book was published in 1962.

 

[julian]

This is part of the contents, the book was published in 1962.

View attachment 354570

Does the book mention "Frobenius" in reference to Frobenius method? Is the last chapter on Dirac's equation? Thanks.

 

[pinball1970]

Does the book mention "Frobenius" in reference to Frobenius method? Is the last chapter on Dirac's equation? Thanks.

I'll check when I get back.

 

[bob012345]

Does the book mention "Frobenius" in reference to Frobenius method? Is the last chapter on Dirac's equation? Thanks.

No and no. The book can be accessed on the Internet Archive Digital Library site. I suppose you don’t have any notes from the period that might have a reference?

 

[julian]

I found the Kursunoglu book on the Internet Archive listed as a limited preview. I assumed this meant it was being preserved for future generations but wasn’t available for full viewing due to copyright restrictions. I now realise it’s part of a library service that is easy to join - good to know.

When I was a first-year undergraduate, I worked through Ray D'Inverno's book on general relativity, making detailed notes as I went through the calculations. I still have those notes. Similarly, I would have made notes while studying the quantum mechanics book during the summer holiday before I started university. There’s a slim chance I still have these notes, which might provide clues about the book’s identity. Unfortunately, I’m still unable to dedicate much attention to this right now due to other pressing matters, so can't search around for them at the moment.

 

[jedishrfu]

I think this thread has run its course and its time to wish the OP good luck on finding his long lost QM book.

Thank you all for helping here.

Jedi

 

[jedishrfu]

and the book might be Merzbacher (1961):

https://www.google.com/books/editio...AQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA1&printsec=frontcover

Chapter 24 covers the Dirac equation