Introduction to Quantum Theory

Since its emergence in the early twentieth century, quantum theory has become the fundamental physical paradigm, and is essential to our understanding of the world. Providing a deeper understanding of the microscopic world through quantum theory, this supplementary text reviews a wider range of topics than conventional textbooks. Emphasis is given to modern entanglement, quantum teleportation, and Bose-Einstein condensation. Macroscopic quantum effects of practical relevance, for example superconductivity and the quantum Hall effect, are also described. Looking to the future, the author discusses the exciting prospects for quantum computing. Physical, rather than formal, explanations are given, and mathematical formalism is kept to a minimum so readers can understand the concepts more easily. Theoretical discussions are combined with a description of the corresponding experimental results. This book is ideal for undergraduate and graduate students in quantum theory and quantum optics.

Preface; 1. Unexpected findings; 2. Quantum states; 3. Measurement; 4. Correlations; 5. Philosophy; 6. Interaction; 7. Conservation laws; 8. Spin and statistics; 9. Macroscopic quantum effects; 10. Quantum computing; References; Index.

Harry Paul is a retired Professor of Theoretical Physics at the Institute of Physics, Humboldt University Berlin. His research interests are in nuclear physics and quantum theory, especially laser theory, nonlinear optics and quantum optics.