Quantum Mechanics and Path Integrals: Emended Edition (Dover Books on Physics) by Richard P. Feynman | (PDF) Free Download

Description

From astrophysics to condensed matter theory, nearly all of modern physics employs the path integral technique. In this presentation, the developer of path integrals and one of the best-known scientists of all time, Nobel Prize–winning physicist Richard P. Feynman, presents unique insights into this method and its applications. Avoiding dense, complicated descriptions, Feynman articulates his celebrated theory in a clear, concise manner, maintaining a perfect balance between mathematics and physics.This emended edition of the original 1965 publication corrects hundreds of typographical errors and recasts many equations for clearer comprehension. It retains the original’s verve and spirit, and it is approved and endorsed by the Feynman family. The opening chapters explore the fundamental concepts of quantum mechanics and introduce path integrals. Subsequent chapters cover more advanced topics, including the perturbation method, quantum electrodynamics, and the relation of path integrals to statistical mechanics. In addition to its merit as a text for graduate courses in physics, this volume serves as an excellent resource for professionals.

User’s Reviews

Editorial Reviews: About the Author Richard Feynman (1918-88) received the 1965 Nobel Prize in Physics for his contributions to the development of quantum electrodynamics. One of the best-known scientists of his generation, Feynman assisted in the development of the atomic bomb and was a prominent member of the panel that investigated the 1986 Challenger disaster.Known worldwide as the voice of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab, Albert R. Hibbs (1924-2003) studied for his doctorate under Feynman’s tutelage and transcribed and edited Feynman’s lectures in quantum electrodynamics.Daniel F. Styer holds a Ph.D. from Cornell University and is the John and Marianne Schiffer Professor of Physics at Oberlin College. Richard P. Feynman: The Scientist’s Scientist One of the most famous scientists of the twentieth century, and an inexhaustible source of wonderful quotes, Richard Feynman shared the 1965 Nobel Prize in Physics with Julian Schwinger and Sin-Itiro Tomonaga for his contributions to the development of quantum electrodynamics. 1965 was also the year in which Feynman and A. R. Hibbs first published Quantum Mechanics and Path Integrals, which Dover reprinted in a new edition comprehensively emended by Daniel F. Styer in 2010. In the Author’s Own Words:”Our freedom to doubt was born out of a struggle against authority in the early days of science. It was a very deep and strong struggle. It is our responsibility as scientists to proclaim the value of this freedom; to teach how doubt is not to be feared but welcomed and discussed; and to demand this freedom as our duty to all coming generations.” “I think I can safely say that nobody understands quantum mechanics.” “Our imagination is stretched to the utmost, not, as in fiction, to imagine things which are not really there, but just to comprehend those things which are there.” “To those who do not know mathematics it is difficult to get across a real feeling as to the beauty, the deepest beauty, of nature. . . . If you want to learn about nature, to appreciate nature, it is necessary to understand the language that she speaks in.” — Richard P. Feynman

Reviews from Amazon users which were colected at the time this book was published on the website:

⭐I like attitude that quantum mechanics is a method of counting rather than a formalism.Unfortunately I am too stupid to understand quantum mechanics even after studying subject for fifty years.My favorite book on this subject is Pauli’s Wave Mechanics.

⭐good shape

⭐It is wonderful to see this extraordinary work back in print, especially in this attractive low cost Dover edition. As an added bonus, the myriad misprints that plagued the original 1965 printing (and caused me such grief when I first read it in high school) have been corrected.The path integral approach, so clearly explained in this volume, derived from Feynman’s graduate research at Princeton where he applied variational principles to quantum mechanics. This, in turn, was motivated by a seminal 1932 paper of Dirac.At the time, the formalism appeared to provide only an elegant means of deriving the wave equation without achieving any new results. But elegant mathematics always seems to have a way of finding application in physics. Just look at how formerly “obscure” topics like Lie algebras and differential geometry have become part of the essential language of particle physics. And path integral methods have proved useful in fields ranging from quantum electrodynamics to acoustic propagation.Like all of Feynman’s works, this text combines sound, if unconventional, mathematics with remarkable physical insight. There is still no better introduction to the topics treated here. This book is required reading for anyone wishing to understand quantum mechanics (at least in so far as anyone can understand quantum mechanics) and who intends to pursue more advanced topics.Heartily recommended!

⭐Changing my husbands life – he talks about it all the time.

⭐Most Feynman books are excellent; this one is no exception. The content and delivery are both very well done. In his typical fashion, Feynman gives the reader a feel for the physical intuition behind path integrals in QM as well as alternate ways to deriving the same result.But I dont think this should be one’s primary text on the subject. For many sections of this book, I would recommend (for myself at least) a more vanilla companion text along with this book to familiarize oneself with the underlying math and more routine ‘techniques’. This text, in my opinion, serves two great needs: 1) give beginners in the path integral approach an intuitive understanding of the topic, so that he ‘understands’ what he’s doing while solving equations; and 2) give the experienced reader insights into the physical interpretations of the math.It would also be more convenient to have this text on the Kindle, in a more modern typeset, but that doesnt seem likely..

⭐In the early 1940s Richard Feynman was presented with a comment made by an older physicist P.A.M. Dirac. In response to that comment Feynman asked, “What is the use of that?” Feynman answered his own question in a way that ultimately led to him being universally considered as the greatest physicist of the second half of the 20th century. Quantum Mechanics and Path Integrals expands on that answer he gave and discusses the core of his work leading ultimately to his Nobel Prize in physics in 1965. This book is a classic that could only be written by the master himself. So what is the use of this book? It introduces the reader to a substantial portion of modern physics.

⭐Book gives convincing background as to Path integral applications. I strongly recommend those whom get this book to also look at Feynman’s PhD dissertation which explains the origins of the derivational approach, i.e. what the path integral formulation comes from in terms of origins.Put this reference together with the Feynman PhD dissertation, and a physics person has a complete record as to the origins AND the applications of Feynman’s enduring gift to physics.

⭐Since it dates from the 1960s, this book is of primarily historic interest for today’s physicists actively working in Quantum Mechanics. But it is of interest to historians and philosophers of science for a different reason: It presents a model for the foundations of physics in which determinism is conspicuous by its absence, and in which that determinism emerges back in classical mechanics via phenomena of large numbers (just as many other concepts of classical mechanics emerge from quantum mechanics).

⭐Great approach to Path Integrals. Found it very useful starting on it before moving to QFT.

⭐Perfect arrival and content

⭐È un libro “storico”, indispensabile per chiunque studi fisica. La formulazione con gli integrali sui cammini non costituisce solitamente il primo approccio per la meccanica quantistica ma è necessario conoscerla, soprattutto da parte di chi studia fisica. In questo libro Feynman presenta la sua personale formulazione della meccanica quantistica con numerosi esempi e interessanti argomentazioni. Si tratta di un’edizione rivista dell’edizione originale, nella quale numerosi errori sono stati corretti e il testo è completamente riscritto nell’elegantissimo latex. Lo consiglio vivamente.The book starts with description of quantum probabilities which is a central concept of this subject. Very vivid explanation of every topic. Feynman’s path integrals is elegant, simple and powerful method to depict and understand particle interaction with field. This book will make you familiar with all this essential stuffs.

⭐Thorough and pedagogic, though a bit dated. Great at explaining complex ides simply.The derivation of regular wave mechanics from path integrals is interesting, and gave me a new understanding on the laws I thought I knew so well.It’s good for the basics of getting to grips with path integrals, but you should definitely seek out some more advanced, rigorous texts if you’re comfortable with the simplest integrals.

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