Group Theory and Quantum Mechanics

by Michael Tinkham

This graduate-level text develops aspects of group theory most relevant to physics and chemistry and illustrates their applications to quantum abstract group theory, theory of group representations, physical applications of group theory, full rotation group and angular momentum, quantum mechanics of atoms, molecular quantum mechanics, and solid-state theory. 1964 edition.

Genres: Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry, Science, Textbooks, Nonfiction

378 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1964

Reviews

[Michael Weaver · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a great read in that Tinkham develops the parts of group theory which are relevant to physics and chemistry and sufficiently shows how it applies to QM as a whole. Particularly insightful was Tinkhams discussions of the Bloch wavefunction as a consequence of the Abelian symmetry group. Although overall I was pleased and would recommend it, I did find a few of things that were lagging. Some of the views are a little outdated specifically the applications to molecular QM, particularly in leiu of Ligand-Field Theory and he doesn't really cover the effects of antisymmetric wavefunctions for electrons nor ever mentions Mulliken in molecular QM. The rest of the book is engaging as it does not waste time with trivial examples but dives quickly into the language of group theory.

[Kyle · Rating 3 out of 5]

oh, i always wanted to steer clear of group theory. but needing to know a little group theory in part, this book was recommended to me as a place to start.