This textbook presents quantum mechanics at the junior/senior undergraduate level. It is unique in that it describes not only quantum theory, but also presents five laboratories that explore truly modern aspects of quantum mechanics. These laboratories include "proving" that light contains photons, single-photon interference, and tests of local realism.
The text begins by presenting the classical theory of polarization, moving on to describe the quantum theory of polarization. Analogies between the two theories minimize conceptual difficulties that students typically have when first presented with quantum mechanics. Furthermore, because the laboratories involve studying photons, using photon polarization as a prototypical quantum system allows the laboratory work to be closely integrated with the coursework.
Polarization represents a two-dimensional quantum system, so the introduction to quantum mechanics uses two-dimensional state vectors and operators. This allows students to become comfortable with the mathematics of a relatively simple system, before moving on to more complicated systems. After describing polarization, the text goes on to describe spin systems, time evolution, continuous variable systems (particle in a box, harmonic oscillator, hydrogen atom, etc.), and perturbation theory.
The book also includes chapters which describe material that is frequently absent from undergraduate texts: quantum measurement, entanglement, quantum field theory and quantum information. This material is connected not only to the laboratories described in the text, but also to other recent experiments. Other subjects covered that do not often make their way into undergraduate texts are coherence, complementarity, mixed states, the density operator and coherent states.
Supplementary material includes further details about implementing the laboratories, including parts lists and software for running the experiments. Computer simulations of some of the experiments are available as well. A solutions manual for end-of-chapter problems is available to instructors.
Industry Reviews
"Monsters literal and metaphorical are dissected with skill and
discernment in philosopher and scholar Asma's penetrating "unnatural
history." Erudite, funny, and deeply attuned to the profound
psychological and moral implications of monstrousness, Asma encompasses
the mystical and the scientific as he ponders the simultaneous repulsion
and attraction monsters arouse... Asma is insightful and entertaining
in his discussion of monsters of the deep, supernatural doppelgangers,
zombies, and vampires, and intense in his discussion of Freud and the
'science of monstrous feelings...' Asma's far-reaching book of
monsterology is original, captivating, and profoundly elucidating."--Booklist starred review
"With insight, erudition, and humor, Asma's compendium of
monsterology traces the evolving meanings and manifestations of monsters
since antiquity, in religion, philosophy, science, literature, popular
culture, and the human psyche. To explain the eternal attraction and
repulsion of the monstrous, Asma draws on material from Aristotle to
nanotechnology, revealing myriad, surprising ways that supernatural,
natural, and metaphorical monsters inhabit the landscape of our
imagination."--Adrienne Mayor, author of The First Fossil Hunters and The Poison King
"On Monsters is a humorously
omnivorous consideration of the monstrous. It's a delightful book, a
terrific balance of scholarship and wonder."--Audrey Niffenegger, author
of The Time Traveler's Wife
"A wide-ranging exploration of fear and evil, Asma's presentation
and theories are original and practical, depicting those dark, repulsive
notions of an unstable, turbulent world in which everybody must
struggle to remain human and civilized." --Publishers Weekly
"A comprehensive modern-day bestiary."--New Yorker
"Cleverly conceived and slyly written...I have seldom read a book
that so satisfyingly achieves such an ambitious goal... His new book is a
feast." --Washington Post
"Spelunking adventure through the caverns of world history, culture and thought." --Chicago Sun-Times
"Asma has a lucid, engaging style, and he uses it to provide a
thoughtfully breezy survey of the bizarre and the lurking." --Chicago Reader
In his new book, On Monsters: An Unnatural History of Our Worst Fears, Columbia College lecturer Stephen Asma lays out a frightful and compelling bestiary." --Time Out Chicago
