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Lectures on Quantum Theory: Mathematical and Structural Foundations

Lectures on Quantum Theory: Mathematical and Structural Foundations

List Price: $22.00
Your Price: $22.00
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Not that easy, but ...
Review: I appreciate the author's approach as much as the other, "five star" reviews. Isham has tackled some very difficult material and consistently gone to the heart of the problems involved with the meaning of quantum theory. He has treated the many different approaches - from pure pragmatism to hidden variables and many worlds - with fairness and due respect for each. My only disagreement with the other reviewers is their assessment of the book's accessibility. The mathematics is heavy on abstractions. As a former graduate student in physics (admittedly long ago), I found it rougher going than I expected and spaced out several of the final subjects such as quantum logic. Nevertheless I came away with a better understanding of the foundations of quantum mechanics, and I have no regrets over buying the book.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Deep and balanced
Review: If you are an undergraduate physicist or have an equivalent mathematical background this is the best book to understand the mathematical structure and the conceprual basis of quantum theory. The presentation is at a level accessible to undergraduates, however there are many side remarks and comments that slowly introduce you to understanding different foundational issues (that often cannot be accessed without a larger mathematical background). It is the deepest modern introductory textbook in quantum mechanics that I have read.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Very Good
Review: In this book Prof. Isham exposes the minimum algebra required for quantum physics, from vector spaces to eigenvalues, Hilbert spaces, density matrices, and equations specific to quantum theory (e. g. entanglement, EPR, Bell, etc.) He does not give unnecessary details but many insights that make the concepts used in algebra more tangible, more understandable, explaining the idea being the various mathematical theories he deals with. of . I read this book for the quantum aspect, but it may have profited me more for the math, for the deeper understanding it gave me of those mathematical concepts. In addition, Isham offers many sound philosophical (yet short, clear and to the point) discussions on the concepts involved, on probabilities, truth, measurement problem, many worlds, non-locality, etc. The book is a masterful treatment combining algebra, physics and philosophy. Add to this some exercises with answers, and here is a book that you don't want to miss, if you already have some basic knowledge of mathematics and quantum physics.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: As simple as possible, not more
Review: Isham's beautiful little book on Quantum Mechanics is probably the best available introduction to the theory's mathematical and logical structure. The mathematics is rigorous but not more than necessary. It should be accessible to advanced undergraduate and beginning graduate students in physics, mathematics and (hopefully) philosophy.

After a thorough discussion of the mathematical formalism, the last two chapters discuss in some detail the conceptual issues in quantum theory. The strangeness of the theory is revealed as essential and well supported experimentally. The book does not present a solution to the conceptual problems; it just lists the various proposed solutions (all of them rather unsatisfactory). The final section suggests that a radical revision of our ideas of substance and reality will be necessary for a truly successful solution, a conclusion I agree with.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Very Good
Review: This book is for all those who want to understand more about quantum mechanics. It explains in a very intelligent way the essential differences between a classical theory and a quantum mechanical one. Highly recommended. You will not learn from this book on how to solve e.g. scattering problems, this book focuses on understanding the theory rather than applying it. I enjoyed it very much.


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