Quantum Physics Books: Learn Heisenberg, Dirac, Pauli & More

[kent davidge]

I'm really interested in quantum theory and would like to learn all that I can about it. I'm looking books for learning quantum physics that contains derivation of Heisenberg uncertainty principle, dirac notation, pauli matrices, quantum operators, hawking radiation, etc. What are good books to QM along these lines?

 

[micromass]

What's your current math and physics knowledge? Be detailed.

 

[kent davidge]

Well, essentially all I know about physics I learned from "University Physics by Sears, Young", ie I know the basic of all topics on physics.

On math I learned Calculus 1,2,3,4 by reading "Calculus by James Stewart" and I have some knowledge about basic linear algebra.

 

[dextercioby]

Then Zettili, Shankar, Bransden&Joachain or Griffiths wrote textbooks on QM which could suit your level.

 

[George Jones]

Also, "A Modern Approach to Quantum Mechanics" by Townsend.

 

[smodak]

Also, "A Modern Approach to Quantum Mechanics" by Townsend.

This is a good book. The same spins-first approach is used by the following book that I love

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0321765796/?tag=pfamazon01-20

Definitely read up on some liner algebra first. I think spin-first approach is a much easier way to learn QM.

 

[S.G. Janssens]

I think spin-first approach is a much easier way to learn QM.

I was curious why that would be? Is it because one starts with finite dimensional state spaces, thereby avoiding functional analytic complications at first?

 

[dextercioby]

The vast majority of textbooks avoid the functional analytical complications altogether, therefore it won't matter how the material is presented. The "spin first" approach was made famous by the late professor J.J. Sakurai in his wonderful book and thus served as inspiration for other book writers.
Mathematical textbooks on Quantum Mechanics are really very few, I could only mention https://www.amazon.com/dp/981024651X/?tag=pfamazon01-20 and the two-volume book by A. Galindo & P. Pascual https://www.amazon.com/dp/3642838561/?tag=pfamazon01-20 and https://www.amazon.com/dp/3642841317/?tag=pfamazon01-20

 

[vanhees71]

In fact, this "spin first" approach was invented by Schwinger in his QM lectures. There's a marvelous book based on them:

J. J. Schwinger, Quantum Mechanics - Symbolism for atomistic measurements, Springer

However, it's not following the typical way. So I rather recommend the mentioned book by Sakurai to start with. Nevertheless, the very first chapter of Schwinger's book is just a must-read for anybody interested in the foundations of quantum mechanics!

 

[kent davidge]

Saturday at 6:44 PM#2
micromass
Yesterday at 11:19 AM#4
dextercioby
Yesterday at 1:49 PM#5
George Jones
Yesterday at 5:42 PM#6
smodak
Yesterday at 7:18 PM#7
Krylov
Today at 9:08 AM#9
vanhees71

Thank you! I will check out those books you suggested.