Advanced Quantum Mechanics Fourth Edition 2008

As I sort through my numerous books on advanced quantum mechanics and quantum field theory, I find myself returning to Schwabl time and time again. As with my other books, I ask myself whether this is a book worth keeping. Each time, the answer is a resounding "yes!", which is not the case for most of my books on these topics. Why? Invariably, when I seek an explanation that is clearer than one given elsewhere, Schwabl provides it. I could hardly ask for a better general reference and self-study text. (Well, to tell the truth, I'd be even happier if the author had included more problems.)Many books have inviting tables of contents. But when you get down to trying to learn something from them, you may well find that the explanations are too terse, or opaque, or that there are no explanations because you are referred elsewhere. Schwabl gives you an honest,solid, straightforward exposition. Nothing fancy. For example, in less than two pages of Appendix E.3 (The Feynman Photon Propagator), Schwabl shows you precisely how longitudinal and scalar photons give rise to the Coulomb interaction. (Good luck finding such a discussion elsewhere.)Springer's crisp typography is a welcome bonus. It is really easy on the eyes.I had originally bought this book so I could guide a student through advanced quantum mechanics with its help. I'm very happy to have it in my library.

This is a very good book for first year graduate students or advanced undergraduates. My phD research field is in condensed matter theory. This book provides essential content about the advanced quantum mechanics knowlegde that is needed in my area, including the relativistic quantum mechanics and the relativistic quantum field. I think it is good for a first year graduate student to go through this book to get essential knowledge.

I use this book as a reference to my graduate level quantum mechanics course. For that purpose, it's excellent. I came across Schwabl's first book "Quantum Mechanics" as an undergraduate and loved his style of presentation.

I agree with the first reviewer, this is a good overview book.However, the Kindle version has terrible formating for the math equations (a random example: equation 1.1.9 is completely unreadable). I have the latest DX, so this is not a matter of reading a large-formated text on a smaller Kindle. It is like reading a very bad xerox-copy from the early 1980s. Trying to read through the book ends up costing a lot of time guessing what various symbols are supposed to be. What is so shocking is that Amazon sells the Kindle version at very nearly the same cost as a hard-copy, so you are paying near full price for a far, far inferior copy.This sort of very poor formating quality shouldn't be acceptable from such a large company, but there it is. Given the high-quality Amazon usually shows in customer-service, this is incredibly disappointing.

Caveat: My review pertains to the first (1999) edition (at 397 Pages).After spending much time with Sakurai's book of the same title (and not finding my voice there) it is a pleasure to recommend this book.Structured as it is into three sprawling parts: (1) Formalism of Second Quantization, (2) Klein Gordon and Dirac Equations,(3) Quantization of Radiation Fields and Quantum Electrodynamics. (Each part followed by a separate Bibliography).Structured throughout upon physical insight,mathematical derivations (complete) followed by numerous examples and remarks.Chapter One, Second Quantization, can hardly be improved upon.(The examples are a welcome addition in this first chapter).The Second Chapter--a delightful mix of the abstract and the concrete--espouses upon a gas of spin one-half Fermions.Next,of course, Bosons and the dilute Boson Gas along with a descriptive section devoted to Superfluidity.An unusual, fascinating, fourth chapter presents Scattering, density matrices, correlation functions followed by applications toharmonic crystals,diffusion, damped oscillator. (These topics: difficult to find at this level and with such a surfeit of detail).The second part begins with five axioms--those axioms which comprise basic Quantum Mechanics. The development proceedshistorically--at first--and,even this approach is presented with utmost clarity of thought. Chapter Six, this is the way to presentLorentz Transformations and Covariance of Dirac Equation.( Define Up and Down indices,A Metric, no pesky "i"'s to keep track ofin the fourth component of four-vectors, that is, no "ict"). Spinors and Projection Operators: these end a lucid, useful, exposition.Now, in Seven, the all-important Angular Momentum and Spin presented as a short interlude on the way to the Coulomb Potential,the subject of the following Chapter (this, a detailed solution for electron in Coulomb Potential; see also Bethe, 1964).Lamb Shift estimate, up next (following after the classic treatment by Welton,1948 Physical review). Interestingly enough, in the sectionof Chapter Ten, entitled Hole Theory, offered is more than just outdated modes of thinking , as connection is made to quantum field theory.Transformation properties, symmetries,charge conjugation and, especially, pages 217-136 , time reversal given fine exposition, next.This exposition, of time reversal symmetry and its manifestations, is a highlight of the Text.And, finally,the chapter twelve begins part three. This material (Coupled Oscillators,Lattice Vibrations, Classical Field Theory)is usually delegated to beginning of other texts of this ilk. Free Fields--real and complex Klein Gordon-- follows.And so, we arrive at another highlight, a section relating propagators and The Spin Statistics Theorem.In ending, finally ( after three hundred pages) Quantization of the Radiation Field. (Much here akin to that found in Sakurai'sAdvanced Quantum Mechanics, second chapter) Here, placement near book's end makes a great deal of pedagogic sense.The groundwork has been laid, the involved derivations and obscurities in thought have been laid to rest;this placement,then, which makes the understanding almost effortless.(Example: Mott Scattering is given a thorough, clear, elucidation in five pages--compare Sakurai, there, in two pages.).A bit of Feynman, renormalization, radiative corrections,vacuum polarization, and a nice physical description of correctionsto the magnetic moment complete the text. (There follows 20 pages of Appendices, inclusive of a quick resume of Path Integrals).Highly Recommended for its mixture of physical acumen, mathematically complete derivations,and astute remarks which accompany --and complement--the main text.(If looking for an antidote to the classic same-titled Sakurai, look no further.)