Originally published in 1937, this book by renowned physicist Alfred Landé aims 'to develop the principles of quantum mechanics on the basis of a few standard observations'. Landé notes that, in contrast with classical mechanics, quantum mechanics is still a relatively young science with some way to go before it is internally consistent. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in the history of physics and quantum mechanics.

Preface ix

Introduction

1. Observation and interpretation 1

2. Difficulties of the classical theories 2

3. The purpose of quantum theory 6

Part I. Elementary Theory of Observation (Principle of Complementarity)

4. Refraction in inhomogeneous media (force fields) 9

5. Scattering of charged rays 11

6. Refraction and reflection at a plane 12

7. Absolute values of momentum and wave length 13

8. Double ray of matter diffracting light waves 15

9. Double ray of matter diffracting photons 17

10. Microscopic observation of ρ (x) and σ (p) 19

11. Complementarity 20

12. Mathematical relation between ρ (x) and σ (p) for free particles 21

13. General relation between ρ (q) and σ (p) 25

14. Crystals 28

15. Transition density and transition probability 30

16. Resultant values of physical functions matrix elements 32

17. Pulsating density 33

18. General relation between ρ (t) and σ (є) 34

19. Transition density matrix elements 35

Part II. The Principle of Uncertainty

20. Optical observation of density in matter packets 37

21. Distribution of momenta in matter packets 39

22. Mathematical relation between ρ and σ 41

23. Causality 43

24. Uncertainty 46

25. Uncertainty due to optical observation 47

26. Dissipation of matter packets rays in Wilson Chamber 49

27. Density maximum in time 51

28. Uncertainty of energy and time 52

29. Compton effect 54

30. Bothe–Geiger and Compton–Simon experiments 56

31. Doppler effect Raman effect 57

32. Elementary bundles of rays 59

33. Jeans' number of degrees of freedom 61

34. Uncertainty of electromagnetic field components 62

Part III. The Principle of Interference and Schrödinger's equation

35. Physical functions 65

36. Interference of probabilities for p and q 66

37. General interference of probabilities 68

38. Differential equations for Ψp (q) and X_q (p) 70

39. Differential equation for фβ (q) 71

40. The general probability amplitude Φβ' (Q) 72

41. Point transformations 73

42. General theorem of interference 75

43. Conjugate variables 75

44. Schrödinger's equation for conservative systems 76

45. Schrödinger's equation for non-conservative systems 76

46. Pertubation theory 78

47. Orthogonality, normalization and Hermitian conjugacy 79

48. General matrix elements 80

Part IV. The Principle of Correspondence

49. Contact transformations in classical mechanics 83

50. Point transformations 83

51. Contact transformations in quantum mechanics 86

52. Constants of motion and angular co-ordinates 88

53. Periodic orbits 90

54. De Broglie and Schrödinger function correspondence to classical mechanics 91

55. Packets of probability 93

56. Correspondence to hydrodynamics 94

57. Motion and scattering of wave packets 97

58. Formal correspondence between classical and quantum mechanics 98

Part V. Mathematical Appendix: Principle of Invariance

59. The general theorem of transformation 100

60. Operator calculus 102

61. Exchange relations three criteria for conjugacy 103

62. First method of canonical transformation 104

63. Second method of canonical transformation 106

64. Proof of the transformation theorem 108

65. Invariance of the matrix elements against unitary transformations 110

66. Matrix mechanics 112

Index of literature 117

Index of names and subjects 119

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