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- 2,676
- Author: Claude Cohen-Tannoudji, Bernard Diu, and Frank Laloe
- Title: Quantum Mechanics (Two-volume set)
- Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0471569526/?tag=pfamazon01-20
- Prerequisities:
- Contents:
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The book is a classic. I have the 1977 English translation edition, which was brand new at the time. The book first appeared in French in 1973.Jorriss said:This book is interesting. Each chapter has its own 'appendices' where a bunch of extra topics are covered. I think the book series is really useful for those extra sections at the end of each chapter. The main chapter content I found difficult to learn from initially.
Quantum mechanics is a branch of physics that studies the behavior of matter and energy at the atomic and subatomic levels. It provides a mathematical framework for understanding the behavior of particles such as electrons, protons, and photons, and how they interact with each other and their environment.
Claude Cohen-Tannoudji is a French physicist who won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1997 for his work on the development of methods to cool and trap atoms with laser light. He is also known for his contributions to the field of quantum mechanics, specifically in the study of atoms and photons.
Some key concepts in quantum mechanics include superposition, uncertainty principle, wave-particle duality, and entanglement. Superposition refers to the ability of particles to exist in multiple states at the same time. The uncertainty principle states that there is a limit to how accurately we can know the position and momentum of a particle at the same time. Wave-particle duality describes the dual nature of matter and energy, where particles can behave as waves and vice versa. Entanglement is a phenomenon where two particles become connected in such a way that the state of one particle can affect the state of the other, even when they are separated by large distances.
Quantum mechanics has many practical applications in technology, including the development of transistors, lasers, and computer chips. It is also used in fields such as cryptography, quantum computing, and quantum teleportation. Additionally, the principles of quantum mechanics are essential for understanding and developing new materials and technologies at the nanoscale.
One of the current challenges in quantum mechanics is developing a better understanding of the measurement problem, which refers to the paradox of how a particle can exist in multiple states at the same time until it is observed or measured. Another challenge is to develop a unified theory that combines quantum mechanics with general relativity, the theory of gravity. This would help us better understand the behavior of particles in extreme conditions, such as near black holes.