Angular Momentum Techniques in Quantum Mechanics

✍ Scribed by V. Devanathan (auth.)

• Publisher: Springer Netherlands
• Year: 2002
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 257
• Series: Fundamental Theories of Physics 108
• Edition: 1
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

A course in angular momentum techniques is essential for quantitative study of problems in atomic physics, molecular physics, nuclear physics and solid state physics. This book has grown out of such a course given to the students of the M. Sc. and M. Phil. degree courses at the University of Madras. An elementary knowledge of quantum mechanics is an essential pre-requisite to undertake this course but no knowledge of group theory is assumed on the part of the readers. Although the subject matter has group-theoretic origin, special efforts have been made to avoid the gro- theoretical language but place emphasis on the algebraic formalism dev- oped by Racah (1942a, 1942b, 1943, 1951). How far I am successful in this project is left to the discerning reader to judge. After the publication of the two classic books, one by Rose and the other by Edmonds on this subject in the year 1957, the application of angular momentum techniques to solve physical problems has become so common that it is found desirable to organize a separate course on this subject to the students of physics. It is to cater to the needs of such students and research workers that this book is written. A large number of questions and problems given at the end of each chapter will enable the reader to have a clearer understanding of the subject.

✦ Table of Contents

Angular Momentum Operators and Their Matrix Elements....Pages 1-9
Coupling of Two Angular Momenta....Pages 10-23
Vectors and Tensors in Spherical Basis....Pages 24-33
Rotation Matrices - I....Pages 34-41
Rotation Matrices - II....Pages 42-60
Tensor Operators and Reduced Matrix Elements....Pages 61-76
Coupling of Three Angular Momenta....Pages 77-87
Coupling Of Four Angular Momenta....Pages 88-99
Partial Waves and the Gradient Formula....Pages 100-118
Identical Particles....Pages 119-129
Density Matrix and Statistical Tensors....Pages 130-149
Products of Angular Momentum Matrices and Their Traces....Pages 150-164
The Helicity Formalism....Pages 165-198
The Spin States of Dirac Particles....Pages 199-215

✦ Subjects

Mathematical and Computational Physics; Quantum Physics; Nuclear Physics, Heavy Ions, Hadrons; Atoms, Molecules, Clusters and Plasmas