Lectures on Quantum Mechanics (Dover Books on Physics) by Paul A. M. Dirac | (PDF) Free Download

Description

The author of this concise, brilliant series of lectures on mathematical methods in quantum mechanics was one of the shining intellects in the field, winning a Nobel prize in 1933 for his pioneering work in the quantum mechanics of the atom. Beyond that, he developed the transformation theory of quantum mechanics (which made it possible to calculate the statistical distribution of certain variables), was one of the major authors of the quantum theory of radiation, codiscovered the Fermi-Dirac statistics, and predicted the existence of the positron.The four lectures in this book were delivered at Yeshiva University, New York, in 1964. The first, “The Hamiltonian Method,” is an introduction to visualizing quantum theory through the use of classical mechanics. The remaining lectures build on that idea. “The Problem of Quantization” shows how one can start with a classical field theory and end up with a quantum field theory. In “Quantization on Curved Surfaces,” Dirac examines the possibility of building a relativistic quantum theory on curved surfaces. He deduces that it is not possible, but it should be possible on flat surfaces. In the final lecture, “Quantization on Flat Surfaces,” he concludes that “we can set up the basic equations for a quantum theory of the Born-Infeld electrodynamics agreeing with special relativity, but [not] with general relativity.” Physics and chemistry students will find this book an invaluable addition to their libraries, as will anyone intrigued by the far-reaching and influential ideas of quantum mechanics.

User’s Reviews

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⭐This lectures that Dirac gave at Yeshiva University in 1964 deal with the problem of Quantization to systems that have constraints. He had been working all alone for the past years on these matters and was able to gave the correct steps necessary to quantize canonically the theory of General Relativity. I mean from the Hamiltonian point of view, the Hamiltonian of GR is a set of pure constrains so this lectures are basic to understand the quantization of GR. Here he defines Primary and secondary constraints and also First-Class and Second-class constraints and how to deal with them. Primary constraints are the constraints that already come with the theory while secondary are constraints that you can build using the primaries. First class constraints are the ones that commute with themselves and are the ones that generate gauge transformations. Dirac realized that when the system has second-class constraints you need to modify the Poisson brackets in order to get a consistent theory so therefore he introduced the Dirac bracket which has to be used whenever your constraints are second class. Upon his work others came latter and gave a full description of the Hamiltonian of GR and the way to quantize it using Dirac techniques, like Wheeler, Dewitt and Teitelboim. Dirac had a brilliant mind for Physics and this little book contains some of his latter work that should not be looked away, it is a brilliant introduction to the Dirac bracket, also he stablished Dirac quantization on which the constraints are elevated to operators and anhilate the physical states and only a Master can do that. Buy it!

⭐This book summarizes the four invited lectures PAM Dirac gave at Yeshiva University (New York). They are very sophisticated materials that required strong foundation in graduate level physics. The first chapter is focused on the Hamiltonian Approach to classical mechanics (details found in Goldstein) . Then in Chapter two he describes how to use the Hamilton principles to arrive at quantization of fields (details in Messiah) . The last two chapters describe his attempt to quantize gravity which is the subject of current research in theoretical physics. The content of this book is very illuminating but a significant challenge for beginners. It is Only 67 pages long but the content is very advanced and concise like Dirac’s classic book on principles of quantum mechanics

⭐Much of the mathematical formalism we can attribute to Paul Dirac. As part of my graduate study in physics I was familiar with works by Feynman, Heisenberg, Bohr and others. Unlike Feynman’s style which took an advanced concept and broke it down in an approachable manner, Dirac’s works often suffer from his brilliance: He was such an accomplished master of the material that his written works would often run up and down the conceptual ladder (layers of concepts and their associated mathematics) to the point that anyone with less background than him might find it bewildering to say the least. He does try to keep to a small set of central themes, but he fails to explain in a conversational way the mathematics that he is following as he jumps from one conceptual lily pad to another. In short, this little book is technically very correct, involves concepts that are very advanced and (in my opinion) does little to bring the reader along for the ride (even if the reader has extensive background).

⭐We are in 1964, Dirac is building a relativistic quantum theory starting from classical mechanics. Just four lectures. But he assumes that you know a great deal of physics so this is a good brain workout for curious readers; anyone can survive a few short lectures. He lost me several times but the text is warm and he took the time to explain isomorphisms between abstractions and its physical meanings. This is priceless against the usual dullness of textbooks. There is also a sense of surprise because he is never sure that his quantum theory will hold in the end. Often saying that we need a bit of luck to match the consistency conditions. It didn’t because of “quite formidable difficulties”. Takeaway: his notation is neat/elegant and “infinity usually does lead to trouble”.

⭐Dirac’s slim work is very general ~ but also very concise and precise and therefore the physical mathematics strategy and methods as presented are so direct as to be ever-valid ~ amounting to a short course on just HOW and WHY to construct [from appropriate classical theory] relativistic Lagrangian-based theory then directly pass into Hamiltonian-based quantum field theory [via Poisson brackets] ~ AND the nuances along the way. I cannot see flaws in Dirac’s presentation as given. It seems that for any valid [and especially unified] physical field theory construction ~ it is necessary and sufficient to *pass thru the check-points* just as Dirac has outlined. A very clear and sharp analysis [via short lectures] in a modestly sized and priced slim work with no filler or fluff ~ just physical mathematics most directly derived and explained +++

⭐P.A.M. Dirac has a lot to say; and everything he says is to the point – explaining everything step by step.His approach in the YouTube lectures I’ve tried to watch is the same : but his verbal delivery makes them a chore to follow.When I received this book in the mail and started to read: What A Difference! Here is the brilliant man’s thoughts and his reasoning laid out: Clear and Concise.

⭐Evidently it’s a classic text from one of the fathers of this theory.A must, not only for collecionist, but also for those who search the original reasonings that led to this amazing field. Highly recommended due to its clarity, and why not to say it?…Also its prize

⭐Second semester Dynamics at the college level is required. Presumes knowledge of the Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulation of dynamic systems. Working through the equations with the author reveals numerous places were transference of “equivalent models” occur that are often as much based upon the author’s metaphysics as they are of physics. The Copenhagen crew were all highly versed in philosophy and it bleed readily into their guiding assumptions.

⭐I find that books on quantum mechanics are usually quite hard to read and digest because numerous complicated mathematical equations are supposed to serve instead of words. We are not all higher mathematics graduates, so that must limit the readership of such books.This book is different, it’s readable ! Dirac explains the subject and his approach very clearly.And it’s by the great Dirac himself !

⭐Recommend all students of this subject star here, as it is from the person who started the concept of quanta, not much maths needed and it is historically interesting too. As strings and other fads come and go, this stands the test of time.

⭐Arrived as stated

⭐The delivery was prompt. This book “felt” good but my knowledge of Mathematics is too poor to follow the arguments. Maybe one day……

⭐Wonderful.

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