The Semiclassical Way to Dynamics and Spectroscopy - by Eric J Heller (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

A graduate-level text that examines the semiclassical approach to quantum mechanics

Physical systems have been traditionally described in terms of either classical or quantum mechanics. But in recent years, semiclassical methods have developed rapidly, providing deep physical insight and computational tools for quantum dynamics and spectroscopy. In this book, Eric Heller introduces and develops this subject, demonstrating its power with many examples.

In the first half of the book, Heller covers relevant aspects of classical mechanics, building from them the semiclassical way through the semiclassical limit of the Feynman path integral. The second half of the book applies this approach to various kinds of spectroscopy, such as molecular spectroscopy and electron imaging and quantum dynamical systems with an emphasis on tunneling. Adopting a distinctly time-dependent viewpoint, Heller argues for semiclassical theories from experimental and theoretical vantage points valuable to research in physics and chemistry. Featuring more than two hundred figures, the book provides a geometric, phase-space, and coordinate-space pathway to greater understanding.

Filled with practical examples and applications, The Semiclassical Way to Dynamics and Spectroscopy is a comprehensive presentation of the tools necessary to successfully delve into this unique area of quantum mechanics.

• A comprehensive approach for using classical mechanics to do quantum mechanics
  
• More than two hundred figures to assist intuition
  
• Emphasis on semiclassical Green function and wave packet perspective, as well as tunneling and spectroscopy
  
• Chapters include quantum mechanics of classically chaotic systems, quantum scarring, and other modern dynamical topics
  

From the Back Cover

"This thought-provoking and unique presentation of the semiclassical approach to quantum physics is by a grandmaster of the subject. All the explanations are original and the illustrations are beautiful. The subject deserves to be better known to researchers in physics and chemistry."--Michael Berry, University of Bristol

"This book captures a lifetime of research, achievement, and deep understanding of the semiclassical approach to quantum mechanics. I know of no volume that covers the same eclectic mix of topics, and Heller's insights are invaluable. A heroic undertaking, this book will be a tremendous boon to many research fields."--Kieron Burke, University of California, Irvine

"Among the books on quantum mechanics, this one is unique due to the originality of its content, presentation, and interpretation of the results. Heller succeeds in demonstrating remarkable and surprising connections between classical and quantum mechanics, which allows him to explain seemingly complicated quantum-mechanical phenomena in very simple terms. Filling an important gap in the field, this book will be welcome by specialists and nonspecialists alike."--Jiri Vanicek, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne

Review Quotes

"Among the books on quantum mechanics, this one is unique due to the originality of its content, presentation, and interpretation of the results. Heller succeeds in demonstrating remarkable and surprising connections between classical and quantum mechanics, which allows him to explain seemingly complicated quantum-mechanical phenomena in very simple terms. Filling an important gap in the field, this book will be welcome by specialists and nonspecialists alike."--Jiri Vanicek, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne

"This book captures a lifetime of research, achievement, and deep understanding of the semiclassical approach to quantum mechanics. I know of no volume that covers the same eclectic mix of topics, and Heller's insights are invaluable. A heroic undertaking, this book will be a tremendous boon to many research fields."--Kieron Burke, University of California, Irvine

"This thought-provoking and unique presentation of the semiclassical approach to quantum physics is by a grandmaster of the subject. All the explanations are original and the illustrations are beautiful. The subject deserves to be better known to researchers in physics and chemistry."--Michael Berry, University of Bristol

About the Author

Eric J. Heller is the Abbott and James Lawrence Professor of Chemistry and Professor of Physics at Harvard University and a member of the National Academy of Sciences. He is the author of Why You Hear What You Hear (Princeton).