Oppenheimer's QM lecture notes

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the existence and accessibility of J. Robert Oppenheimer's quantum mechanics (QM) lecture notes. Participants explore where these notes might be found, their historical significance, and connections to other works in quantum theory.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about the existence and location of Oppenheimer's QM lecture notes, referencing a specific online resource.
  • Another participant confirms that the notes are available at Caltech, UC Berkeley, and Oklahoma, providing a link to a catalog entry.
  • A participant expresses disappointment that the notes have not been published.
  • A user claims to have the notes, stating they are inherited from a family member connected to Oppenheimer, but offers limited details.
  • Another participant expresses willingness to pay for reproduction and mailing costs for a copy of the notes, mentioning a desire to compare them with Schiff's book.
  • One participant expresses enthusiasm about the potential availability of the notes, indicating broad interest in them.
  • A new user from Australia expresses a strong desire to obtain a copy of the notes, citing their importance as an introduction to quantum mechanics.
  • A participant questions whether Oppenheimer's lecture notes predate early influential texts on quantum theory, suggesting a historical context for the discussion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the interest in Oppenheimer's lecture notes and their significance, but there is no consensus on their publication status or the specifics of their content.

Contextual Notes

Some participants reference other works in quantum theory, indicating a historical timeline, but the discussion does not resolve the question of whether Oppenheimer's notes are earlier than these texts.

mach4
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I was wondering whether Oppenheimer's legendary QM lecture notes still exist and can be found somewhere.

I only found the content of theses lectures at
http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/Exhibits/physics/learning03.html

I assume Bohm's book ``Quantum Theory" from 1951 must contain some of the material as he was one of his students.
 
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Great - Thanks!
It is a pity that they are not published.
 
mach4 said:
I was wondering whether Oppenheimer's legendary QM lecture notes still exist and can be found somewhere.

I only found the content of theses lectures at
http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/Exhibits/physics/learning03.html

I assume Bohm's book ``Quantum Theory" from 1951 must contain some of the material as he was one of his students.
 
Are You still looking for these notes? I think I have them. They are from my father, whose Uncle was a close friend and associate of Prof. Oppenheimer. I will not reveal anymore information than that at this time But if there is a glimmer of interest may be willing to provide more details on the ephemera and books I inherited from my Father who was also a physicist. All I will say is that my father graduated from Iowa State University with is where his uncle was when he died.
 
I'd gladly pay for reproduction and mailing costs to get a copy of those notes. I suspect that Schiff's book is a close copy, but I would like to make the comparison.
 
strixfinearts said:
... But if there is a glimmer of interest may be willing to provide more details on the ephemera and books I inherited from my Father ...
Who wouldn't be interested? :approve:
 
although new to the forums.. l would love to have a copy, though l reside in Australia, Those lecture notes are the first introduction to QM... and everything since has been from those.
 
I can hardly believe this. There are very early excellent books on QT, among them Sommerfeld's famous "Wellenmechanischer Ergänzungsband" (1929) and Dirac's "The Principles of Quantum mechanics" (1930). Are there lecture notes by Oppenheimer earlier than this?
 
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