Lectures on Quantum Mechanics: A Primer for Mathematicians

Description

Quantum mechanics is one of the principle pillars of modern physics. It also remains a topic of great interest to mathematicians. Since its discovery it has inspired and been inspired by many topics within modern mathematics, including functional analysis and operator algebras, Lie groups, Lie algebras and their representations, principle bundles, distribution theory, and much more. Written with beginning graduate students in mathematics in mind, this book provides a thorough treatment of (nonrelativistic) quantum mechanics in a style that is leisurely, without the usual theorem-proof grammar of pure mathematics, while remaining mathematically honest. The author takes the time to fully develop the required mathematics and employs a consistent mathematical presentation to clarify the often-confusing notation of physics texts. Along the way the reader encounters several topics requiring more advanced mathematics than found in many discussions of the subject, making for a fascinating course in how mathematics and physics interact.

Philip L Bowers is the Dwight B. Goodner Professor of Mathematics at Florida State University.

'Quantum mechanics lies at the foundation of science, as well as inspiring a great deal of mathematics. Lectures on Quantum Mechanics provides mathematicians and mathematics students with a very readable exposition of the subject, including the mathematical clarity missing from the physics textbooks.' Peter Woit, Columbia University 'The author of this non-traditional textbook for mathematicians explains carefully how mathematical concepts can be used to encode physical content of quantum mechanics. The topics are very well chosen and ordered. All chapters are mostly independent, allowing readers to get to the heart of the subject quickly and nonlinearly.' Phan Thanh Nam, LMU Munich '... this is a useful text that integrates mathematics and quantum mechanics, one that promises to help first-year graduate students ready themselves for advanced research. Recommended.' M. O. Farooq, Choice