Quantum Mechanics ― A Fundamental Approach

The mathematical formalism of quantum theory in terms of vectors and operators in infinite-dimensional complex vector spaces is very abstract. The definitions of many mathematical quantities used do not seem to have an intuitive meaning. This makes it difficult to appreciate the mathematical formalism and hampers the understanding of quantum mechanics. This book provides intuition and motivation to the mathematics of quantum theory, introducing the mathematics in its simplest and familiar form, for instance, with three-dimensional vectors and operators, which can be readily understood. Feeling confident about and comfortable with the mathematics used helps readers appreciate and understand the concepts and formalism of quantum mechanics.

Quantum mechanics is presented in six groups of postulates. A chapter is devoted to each group of postulates with a detailed discussion. Systems with superselection rules, and some conceptual issues such as quantum paradoxes and measurement, are also discussed. The book concludes with several illustrative applications, which include harmonic and isotropic oscillators, charged particle in external magnetic fields and the Aharonov–Bohm effect.

Kong Wan is honorary reader in Theoretical Physics in St Andrews University, Scotland, UK. He studied theoretical physics in St Andrews, both as an undergraduate and a postgraduate, and was awarded a PhD in 1972. He stayed on in St Andrews and became a reader in Theoretical Physics. His research has focussed on the foundations and formalism of quantum mechanics.