What are some recommended books for understanding the mathematics of QM?

  • Context: Quantum 
  • Thread starter Thread starter ShayanJ
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Book Mathematics Qm
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around recommendations for books that cover the mathematics underlying quantum mechanics (QM), with a focus on advanced topics such as *-algebra, C*-algebra, Weyl algebra, Heisenberg group, and the Stone-von Neumann theorem. Participants express a preference for texts that balance mathematical rigor with a physics-oriented approach.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks recommendations for books that delve into specific mathematical structures relevant to QM, emphasizing a desire for both physics-style and rigorous mathematical texts.
  • Another participant suggests Dirac's classic book as a foundational text for QM, though it is noted that it may not cover the advanced mathematical topics of interest.
  • A participant mentions their current reading of a specific book that includes the desired topics and finds it rigorous and readable.
  • Brian Hall's book "Quantum Theory for Mathematicians" is recommended as a strong option, along with Galindo and Pascual's textbook for its rigor.
  • Another participant highlights the four-volume mathematical-physics work by Thirring, suggesting it may appeal to mathematicians due to its minimal physics content.
  • Concerns are raised about Hall's book lacking coverage of operator algebras and representations, indicating a diversity of approaches to the mathematics of QM.
  • Additional resources such as lecture notes by Woit and Strocchi's book are also recommended for further exploration.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying preferences for the style and rigor of recommended texts, indicating that multiple competing views remain regarding the best resources for understanding the mathematics of QM.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express a desire for books that are more mathematical in nature, while others appreciate the balance of physics and mathematics. There is no consensus on a single recommended text, reflecting the complexity of the topic.

ShayanJ
Science Advisor
Insights Author
Messages
2,802
Reaction score
605
I want to read a book on mathematics behind QM and by that, I don't mean just functional analysis. Its been a long time that I hear about things like *-algebra, C*-algebra, Weyl algebra, Heisenberg group, Stone-von Neumann theorem and things like these and I want to understand them. Can anyone suggest a book that covers them?
At this point I prefer a physics-style math book on these but real-math books are OK too.
Thanks
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Shyan said:
I want to read a book on mathematics behind QM and by that, I don't mean just functional analysis. Its been a long time that I hear about things like *-algebra, C*-algebra, Weyl algebra, Heisenberg group, Stone-von Neumann theorem and things like these and I want to understand them. Can anyone suggest a book that covers them?
At this point I prefer a physics-style math book on these but real-math books are OK too.
Thanks
I'm currently trying to get through https://www.amazon.com/dp/0821846302/?tag=pfamazon01-20. It includes these topics in its contents, and so far has been satisfyingly rigorous and readable, as long as you keep a blackboard or a pad of scratch paper handy.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
jedishrfu said:
Have you read the classic by Dirac? It was the seminal book that put QM on a firm mathematical footing.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0198520115/?tag=pfamazon01-20
Not completely, but actually that's not what I want. Maybe I should've used a math prefix! The point is, I want to learn the things I mentioned in my first post and I want to learn them in the way people think about them today. My purpose is not just to help me learn QM better, I like the math because of the math too. But Dirac's book doesn't cover those subjects and also is a physics book. What I want, is at least a physics-style math book.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
slider142 said:
I'm currently trying to get through https://www.amazon.com/dp/0821846302/?tag=pfamazon01-20. It includes these topics in its contents, and so far has been satisfyingly rigorous and readable, as long as you keep a blackboard or a pad of scratch paper handy.
That's more like it, thanks. But I still appreciate if someone comes up with a book a bit more mathematical in nature!:D
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Brian Hall wrote his book: "Quantum Theory for Mathematicians" which is "stronger" than Takhtajan's. The most rigorous QM textbook is written by Galindo and Pascual (I'd recommend learning QM from it for a graduate text). Another good book is written by G. Folland: "Harmonic Analysis in Phase Space".
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: ShayanJ
There's also the quantum volume of the four-volume mathematical-physics book by Thirring. Those strip off nearly all physics from the physics ;-)). Mathmeaticians must love it.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: ShayanJ
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: ShayanJ

Similar threads

  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
1K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
4K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
9K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K