Photons and Atoms: Introduction to Quantum Electrodynamics - Hardcover

Cohen-Tannoudji, Claude; Dupont-Roc, Jacques; Grynberg, Gilbert

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0471845264 ISBN 13: 9780471845263

Publisher: Wiley-VCH, 1989

Synopsis

Photons and Atoms

Photons and Atoms: Introduction to Quantum Electrodynamics provides the necessary background to understand the various physical processes associated with photon-atom interactions. It starts with elementary quantum theory and classical electrodynamics and progresses to more advanced approaches. A critical comparison is made between these different, although equivalent, formulations of quantum electrodynamics.

Using this format, the reader is offered a gradual, yet flexible introduction to quantum electrodynamics, avoiding formal discussions and excessive shortcuts. Complementing each chapter are numerous examples and exercises that can be used independently from the rest of the book to extend each chapter in many disciplines depending on the interests and needs of the reader.

About this title

From the Inside Flap:

The phenomenal growth of new sources of electromagnetic radiation covering a wide range of frequencies has given rise to a wealth of new methods for investigating the structure and the dynamics of atoms and molecules, for probing their environment and for controlling their internal and translational degrees of freedom. These developments have stimulated considerable interest for the various physical processes associated with photon-atom interactions. Photons and Atoms: Introduction to Quantum Electrodynamics provides the necessary background to understand this area of research, starting with elementary quantum theory and classical electrodynamics and progressing through more advanced approaches. A critical comparison is made between these different, although equivalent, formulations of quantum electrodynamics. Using this format, the reader is offered a gradual, yet flexible introduction to quantum electrodynamics, avoiding formal discussions and excessive shortcuts. Complementing each chapter are numerous examples and exercises that can be used independently from the rest of the book to extend each chapter in many directions depending on the interests and needs of the reader. Photons and Atoms incorporates numerous features which distinguish it from other texts, including:
* a presentation of Maxwell equations in Fourier space, providing new insight into electromagnetism
* a discussion of the wave particle duality for light in the framework of the quantum theory of radiation
* a justification of the nonrelativistic description of particles, starting from the full relativistic quantum electrodynamics theory
Photons and Atoms: Introduction to Quantum Electrodynamics teaches graduate students in physics how basic concepts arise-such as photons, vacuum fluctuations, and wave-particle duality-and how interactions between particles and photons must be described. It fills the gap between ordinary quantum mechanics courses and general quantum field theory. At the same time, physicists interested in the interaction between light and matter will get a sound theoretical description of the different ways electromagnetic fields can be quantized, starting from the simplest straightforward approach and continuing through covariant quantization. Photons and Atoms thoroughly explores the physical significance of the theory, the difficulties that arise, and the pitfalls to be avoided, and also balances differing viewpoints carefully and equally. No other book has ever included such a comprehensive discussion of this field.

From the Back Cover:

Of related interest The Theory of Coherent Atomic Excitation Bruce W. Shore Examines the nature of coherent excitation produced in atoms by lasers and looks at details of the transient variation of excited-state populations with time and with controllable parameters, such as laser frequency and intensity Concerned with temporary behavior rather than energy levels in atoms, the book's emphasis is on the physical and mathematical theory that underlies contemporary description of this excitation. Addresses the nature of coherent excitation, the difference between coherent and incoherent excitation, the simple models that illustrate coherent excitation, expected patterns of excitation in real atoms, and realistic modeling of atomic excitation.1989(0 471-61398-3)1,904 pp.Quantum Mechanics Volumes One and Two Claude Cohen-Tannoudji, Bernard Diu, and Franck Laloe This classic text underscores the differences between theory and applied examples. It provides a basic introduction to nonrelativistic quantum mechanics, paying careful attention to detail and including a wealth of topics and examples. Each chapter begins with a clear exposition of a problem and then explicates the physical and mathematical concepts behind it. Volume I contains an introduction to the fundamental ideas of quantum mechanics, its mathematical tools, its postulates, application of postulates to simple cases, the one-dimensional harmonic oscillator, general properties of angular momentum in quantum mechanics, and particles in a central potential. Volume II contains an elementary approach to quantum theory of scattering by a potential, electron spin, addition of angular momenta, stationary perturbation theory, approximation methods for time-dependent problems, and systems of identical particles.Volume I: 1978(0 471-16433-X)898 pp.PaperVolume II: 1978(0 471-16435-6)626 pp.Paper

About this edition

• Publisher: Wiley-VCH
• Publication date: 1989
• ISBN 10: 0471845264
• ISBN 13: 9780471845263
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 468