Quantum Mechanics for Scientists and Engineers

by David A.B. Miller

If you need a book that relates the core principles of quantum mechanics to modern applications in engineering, physics, and nanotechnology, this is it. Students will appreciate the book’s applied emphasis, which illustrates theoretical concepts with examples of nanostructured materials, optics, and semiconductor devices. The many worked examples and more than 160 homework problems help students to problem solve and to practice applications of theory. Without assuming a prior knowledge of high-level physics or classical mechanics, the text introduces Schrodinger’s equation, operators, and approximation methods. Systems, including the hydrogen atom and crystalline materials, are analyzed in detail. More advanced subjects, such as density matrices, quantum optics, and quantum information, are also covered. Practical applications and algorithms for the computational analysis of simple structures make this an ideal introduction to quantum mechanics for students of engineering, physics, nanotechnology, and other disciplines. Additional resources available from www.cambridge.org/9780521897839.

Genres: Physics, Quantum Mechanics, Textbooks, Science

568 pages, Hardcover

First published April 21, 2008

Reviews

[Nick Black · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first really solid quantum book for non-physicists I've found (my Quantum I class at GT used Griffith's Introduction to Quantum Mechanics (the "cat book")). I'll freely admit that Hamiltonians terrify me and that I can barely remember which side's the bra and which is the ket, yet I was able to work through the absolutely outstanding problem sets without overmuch difficulty. Miller develops the necessary mathematical methods of physics alongside the quantum mechanics, rather than assuming a thorough grounding in classical mechanics. It loses one star because, having read this, I'm still not very confident regarding solving problems beyond the book -- the methods developed were, probably by necessity, sufficiently general only to solve the provided problems (I remembered details of oscillating systems from my Class Mech I class, taken in 2003, which weren't addressed here and would certainly emerge in more complicated systems). Nonetheless, as advertised, this is QM for engineers and non-physicist scientists, and it delivers on that promise exquisitely.

[Anthony O'Connor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book. But a bit mixed.

A solid introductory text. The explanations of the basic rules are simple and thorough - though a bit scattered. The brief intros, towards the end, to Quantum Computing, Bell's Inequalities and the Measurement problem (re Interpretations of Quantum Mechanics) are superb. Very level headed. And all too brief. Worth reading just for these alone.
Instead of deploying the basic rules to describe/explain simple scenarios - surely the right approach in an elementary text - the book instead tries for much more complicated scenarios. There is even an attempt at an intro to Quantum electrodynamics. These bits are a hard read with insufficient background.

[Joshua]

Nice textbook; not really "chemical" enough for me to use, but has some good presentations. The first few chapters are like an traditional "intro" book; the middle portion is a little non-traditional in its organization (but I liked it); and the last third is a grab bag of topics. I agree with the author's assessment that this could be used as an intro undergrad textbook, though to treat the whole book would require two semesters.

I especially liked the treatment of:
-introducing linear algebra approach
-tunneling via transfer matrices and WKB in transfer-matrix format
-identical particles
-density matrix
-optical absorption (including nonlinear optics)

[James Lyon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great introduction to quantum mechanics. I prefer Griffith's sequence of topics, however.

[Timothy M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used this text for Dr Miller's online course. Dr Miller's exposition is solid, relying heavily on operator theory with practical applications drawn from solid state physics and optoelectronics.