Introductory books on quantum mechanics

AI Thread Summary
A graduate student in computer science, with a background in mathematics, seeks recommendations for quantum mechanics references while researching quantum computing. Currently reading Leslie Ballentine's "Quantum Mechanics: A Modern Development" and Nielsen and Chuang's "Quantum Information and Quantum Computation," the student expresses interest in additional resources, particularly those that cover the mathematics of quantum computing. Responses suggest David Griffith's "Introduction to Quantum Mechanics" as a valuable resource, although some note it may be less rigorous than Ballentine. Mary L. Boas's "Mathematical Methods in the Physical Sciences" is recommended for those struggling with the mathematical aspects. The student finds Ballentine's text abstract and challenging, preferring a more basic introduction before delving deeper. Additional suggestions for quantum computing resources include popular titles that cater to beginners, emphasizing the need for careful reading and understanding of complex concepts.
mvillagra
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Hello, I'm a grad student in computer sciences with a BS in math starting to do research in quantum computing. Can somebody recommend me some references on quantum mechanics? Right now I'm reading Leslie Ballentine's book "Quantum Mechanics: A Modern Development", and just finished reading Nielsen and Chuang's book "Quantum Information and Quantum Computation". Are there other interesting references to take into account?

Is there any interesting book about mathematics of quantum computing?

Thanks in advanced!
 
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I'm sure you'll like David Griffith's Introduction to Quantum Mechanics. It is a very good look inside Quantum Mechanics and it's math/physics side, apart from the theoretical insight.

Should you have any difficulties on the math side, Mary L. Boas Mathematical methods in the Physical Sciences is there for you :)

I am sure that's what anyone here would suggest to you, that's what they did with me!
 
karkas said:
I'm sure you'll like David Griffith's Introduction to Quantum Mechanics.
I'm pretty sure he won't, since he is reading Ballentine which is way more advanced (at the Sakurai level).
@mvillagra: what do you think of Ballentine so far?
Some other texts: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0792336321/?tag=pfamazon01-20.

For quantum computing (which I don't know anything of), https://www.amazon.com/dp/0521635039/?tag=pfamazon01-20 seems to be quite popular.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0821832298/?tag=pfamazon01-20 may also be worth checking out.
 
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Landau said:
@mvillagra: what do you think of Ballentine so far?

I'm starting to read chapter 4 right now, and until now for me it seems a really abstract introduction, which I appreciate but sometimes the explanations are hard to follow . It looks like a book that you will need to devote yourself reading it very carefully. As a computer sciences student I would prefer a more basic text and then go on with ballentine.

Landau said:
For quantum computing (which I don't know anything of), https://www.amazon.com/dp/0521635039/?tag=pfamazon01-20 seems to be quite popular.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0821832298/?tag=pfamazon01-20 may also be worth checking out.

I actually read the first book, and thanks to that I am able to follow ballentine's book. It is a very popular book in the quantum computing community and it is really easy to understand.
 
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mvillagra said:
It looks like a book that you will need to devote yourself reading it very carefully. As a computer sciences student I would prefer a more basic text and then go on with ballentine.
May I suggest https://www.amazon.com/dp/0306447908/?tag=pfamazon01-20?

Of course, you can always check out Griffiths, but compared to Ballentine it's really easy and shallow. But maybe it's good as a supplement.
 
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