Quantum Mechanics Classics: Balletine, Landau, and More

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on identifying classic texts in quantum mechanics, highlighting influential works that have shaped the field. Key mentions include Dirac's "Principles of Quantum Mechanics" (1930), regarded as the first textbook on the subject, and von Neumann's 1932 book, which focuses on the mathematical structure of quantum theory. The conversation acknowledges the significance of Shankar's "Principles of Quantum Mechanics," which is highly rated but not universally read. Other notable mentions include Messiah's textbook, Merzbacher's work, and Cohen-Tannoudji's reference book, which is recommended for its comprehensive content rather than self-study. The discussion also touches on the potential future classification of modern texts, like Weinberg's 2013 book, as classics. Overall, the emphasis is on the foundational texts that have established the principles and formalism of quantum mechanics.
moriheru
Messages
273
Reaction score
17
Which books can be considerd classics in the field of quantum mechanics (I am talking about books like Balletine, Landau and so on)?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Thanks td21! A like is yours.
 
Principles of Quantum Mechanics by Shankar seems to be highly rated. However, I haven't read it yet so I can't give a personal review
 
Thankyou ZetaOfThree!
 
<Classic> for a book means famous, not necessarily new. The first textbook of Quantum Mechanics is the 1930 1st Ed. of Dirac' Principles of Quantum Mechanics. It's definitely 'the classic', as can be considered von Neumann's 1932 book. These 2 were the first books on quantum mechanics *with Dirac focusing on principles and formalism, while the Hungarian von Neumann on the mathematical structure of the new (at that time) theory*.

Putting modern textbooks at the level of >classical< is a bold and not necessarily justified enterprise. Perhaps by 2050 we can call Weinberg's 2013 book on QM as classical.
 
Quantum Mechanics by Messiah is old but I think is should be considered Classic. Merzbacher is good and held dominance in graduate schools before Sakurai supplanted it.
 
Another two books:

Cohen Tannoudji et al (good as a reference not for self learning).

Wheeler and Zurek Quantum Measurement, still on my to read list, which I haven't found time to read.
 

Similar threads

Replies
3
Views
1K
Replies
7
Views
3K
Replies
8
Views
4K
Replies
10
Views
616
Replies
9
Views
2K
Back
Top