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The New Quantum Universe
The principles of quantum mechanics are the basis of everything in the physical world--from atoms to stars, from nuclei to lasers. Quantum paradoxes and the eventful life of Schroedinger's Cat are explained, along with the Many Universe explanation of quantum measurement in this newly revised edition. Updated throughout, the book also looks ahead to the nanotechnology revolution and describes quantum cryptography, computing and teleportation. Including an account of quantum mechanics and science fiction, this accessible book is geared to the general reader. Anthony Hey teaches at the University of Southampton, UK, and is the co-author of several books, including two with Patrick Walters, The Quantum Universe (Cambridge, 1987), and Einstein's Mirror (Cambridge , 1997). Patrick Walters is a Lecturer in Continuing Education at the University of Wales at Swansea. He co-ordinates the Physical Science Programme in DACE which includes the Astronomy Programme. His research interests include science education, and he also writes non-technical books on science for the general reader and beginning undergraduates. First Edition Pb (1987): 0-521-31845-9
374 pages, Paperback
First published October 23, 2003
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 20, 2016
This is a nice popular science book, an introduction (at undergraduate level) to the main concepts of quantum physics.
This book is a good example of how an introductory book should be designed: its conceptual clarity is highly commendable (it seems as if it could have been written by Feynman) and all main concepts are addressed with as much rigor as it would be possible without getting into the underlying mathematical details.
This is a perfect undergraduate introduction to quantum physics for the mathematically disinclined: all main concepts (Heisenberg's uncertainty principle, Feynman's quantum paths, Schroedinger equation, quantization of energy levels in a potential well, state degeneracy, angular momentum, "space" quantization, quantum tunneling and its applications such as the Scanning Tunneling Microscope, Pauli's exclusion principle, superconductivity, the EPR paradox, the Standard Model - just to name a few) are addressed in a clear, lucid and captivating manner.
There are also a few quantum physics-derived examples of technological innovations (such as the semiconductor, but also more futuristic applications such as quantum computing). All is supported by nice, explanatory and relevant illustrations.
A book like this one should be made mandatory reading in the last year of all high schools.
My 4-star rating is an average between my personal enjoyment of this book (3-3.5 stars - it was really a bit too basic for my needs) and its intrinsic value as an introductory book to quantum physics (full 5 stars).
This book is a good example of how an introductory book should be designed: its conceptual clarity is highly commendable (it seems as if it could have been written by Feynman) and all main concepts are addressed with as much rigor as it would be possible without getting into the underlying mathematical details.
This is a perfect undergraduate introduction to quantum physics for the mathematically disinclined: all main concepts (Heisenberg's uncertainty principle, Feynman's quantum paths, Schroedinger equation, quantization of energy levels in a potential well, state degeneracy, angular momentum, "space" quantization, quantum tunneling and its applications such as the Scanning Tunneling Microscope, Pauli's exclusion principle, superconductivity, the EPR paradox, the Standard Model - just to name a few) are addressed in a clear, lucid and captivating manner.
There are also a few quantum physics-derived examples of technological innovations (such as the semiconductor, but also more futuristic applications such as quantum computing). All is supported by nice, explanatory and relevant illustrations.
A book like this one should be made mandatory reading in the last year of all high schools.
My 4-star rating is an average between my personal enjoyment of this book (3-3.5 stars - it was really a bit too basic for my needs) and its intrinsic value as an introductory book to quantum physics (full 5 stars).
September 1, 2011
If you are searching for a general knowledge about quantum mechanics in an interesting way, then this book is your choice. It tries to make the concepts as clear-simple as it can,at this stage.
It has some chapters that talk about quantum mechanics engineering + some interesting applications.
If you want deep understanding, then you should search for another one :)
May 4, 2021
My Intelligence Flies🧠🕊️🤓
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April 25, 2023อ่านยากมากๆๆๆๆๆๆๆๆๆ T_T โดนหลังปกหลอกค่ะว่าอ่านง่าย ทำให้เข้าใจควอนตัมมิติมากขึ้น!หึ บอกเลยว่าอ่านไปทั้งเล่มเข้าใจไปถึง 10% หรอก สูตรฟิสิกส์ก็มา! จริงๆ ต้องบอกว่าเป็นเล่มที่รายละเอียดเยอะมากๆ ค่อนข้างลึก บอกที่มาที่ไปของควอนตัมฟิสิกส์แต่ละสำนักว่าเป็นไงมาไง แล้วมันเอาไปพัฒนาเป็นอะไรต่อได้บ้าง แต่ละสำนักมีจุดเด่นจุดอ่อนแตกต่างกันอย่างไร (สำนัก = ทฤษฎี) การทดลองทำแบบไหนถึงได้ผลลัพธ์แบบนี้ๆ มา มีภาพประกอบที่ยิ่งดูแล้วยิ่งงง ยิ่งอ่านแล้วยิ่งไม่เข้าใจ เพราะอธิบายคอนเซปต์แบบลึกเกิ๊น สรุป อ่านไม่รู้เรื่องค่ะ แต่ดันทุรังอ่านจนจบ
August 6, 2019
A good introductory book covering a wide range of topics related to quantum mechanics. It briefly mentions technological advances in this area, historical developments, experiments, problems and even the history of science fiction. For a layman reader like me, this book gives a good overview of quantum mechanics and its application, but I can't say that I learned much. Many of the topics were described very well, but I was lost in complex descriptions with a lot of scientific terms, like the explanation of quarks confinement. Probably my favorite part of the book was a story about inadvertent revealing of atomic bomb details in one of the science fiction books during the Second World War. Also I like how the chapter for further reading is presented - it is not simply a list of books, but each book has a nice description.
January 1, 2023
Finding texts that illuminate the fundamental universe is absolutely wonderful. This survey textbook is an impressively accessible summary of quantum phenomena; enough so that I would almost argue that it should be read sometime during high school where it would provide a foundation for all students on the inner workings of everything in existence.
The book builds up the understanding of quantum mechanics piece by piece so the reader will not be intimidated nor overwhelmed. Some chapters are dense and it does get technical for the most sections (obviously). But, as the authors recommend, many sections can be skipped or glossed over to allow general comprehension to go unabated. Hate the section on quantum computing? Skip it. Quantum engineering kinda dull? Gloss over it.
Undertaking this piece will evolve your understanding and elucidate the universe's inner workings. Highly recommended.
The book builds up the understanding of quantum mechanics piece by piece so the reader will not be intimidated nor overwhelmed. Some chapters are dense and it does get technical for the most sections (obviously). But, as the authors recommend, many sections can be skipped or glossed over to allow general comprehension to go unabated. Hate the section on quantum computing? Skip it. Quantum engineering kinda dull? Gloss over it.
Undertaking this piece will evolve your understanding and elucidate the universe's inner workings. Highly recommended.
May 16, 2021
This book was a bit hard to understand. I am more interested in the philosophy of quantum mechanics--what it has to say about the nature of reality--than about getting into specific about practical applications. That said, it was a pleasure to dive into quantum computing, the nature of the atom and subatomic particles, the breakdown of classical mechanics, and how the sun produces light. Bioinformation and nanotechnology are the new frontiers of the future, and they can be used for great evil or great good. As the nuclear bomb indicates, scientific discoveries need to be handled with great attention to ethics.
February 4, 2014
Fundamentals of quantum mechanics and its applications
When I bought this book, I thought this book is devoted to theoretical aspects of quantum mechanics, but actually it is focused mainly on its applications in technology. The authors discuss the basic concepts of quantum physics briefly; its history and incompatibility with classical physics and then discuss various applications.
Quantum mechanics teaches us as how atoms and subatomic particles behave and explain the fundamental process involved in making elements and stars. The classical physics explains the physical reality of larger forms of matter that includes molecules, life forms, planets, stars and galaxies. But unlike classical physics, the physical reality of quantum world is not easily comprehended. The wave-particle duality of matter brings forth strangeness of quantum physics that includes Heisenberg uncertainty principle, quantized states of matter, quantum entanglement, quantum tunneling, quantum jumps, etc.
The authors have avoided the mathematical and philosophical issues behind the theory and focused on its application that paved the way for opportunities and advancement in technology. Manipulating the matter at the quantum level has lead to the nanotechnology and quantum computing. This has lead to many exciting possibilities in computer engineering and information processing. Instead of bits of information stored in "1" or "0" in the present day classical computers; quantum teleportation allow the algorithms using quantum bits called qubits that simultaneously contain "1" and "0" by quantum entanglement. Quantum teleportation is a process in which quantum information is destroyed so that it may be transferred simultaneously to another location. This has been proposed as a way to create quantum communication networks and quantum computing protocols. Quantum information cannot be copied, but quantum cryptography has a high degree of security.
Quantum tunneling has offered tremendous opportunities in fiber optics, invention of scanning electron microscope, and nuclear fission reactions and atomic weapons. Semiconductors and superconductivities of some of the elements at low temperatures have lead to the discovery of superconductors and strange properties of matter that are used in technology. If you are interested in knowing what quantum mechanics can do to shape the future technology, then this book is very helpful.
When I bought this book, I thought this book is devoted to theoretical aspects of quantum mechanics, but actually it is focused mainly on its applications in technology. The authors discuss the basic concepts of quantum physics briefly; its history and incompatibility with classical physics and then discuss various applications.
Quantum mechanics teaches us as how atoms and subatomic particles behave and explain the fundamental process involved in making elements and stars. The classical physics explains the physical reality of larger forms of matter that includes molecules, life forms, planets, stars and galaxies. But unlike classical physics, the physical reality of quantum world is not easily comprehended. The wave-particle duality of matter brings forth strangeness of quantum physics that includes Heisenberg uncertainty principle, quantized states of matter, quantum entanglement, quantum tunneling, quantum jumps, etc.
The authors have avoided the mathematical and philosophical issues behind the theory and focused on its application that paved the way for opportunities and advancement in technology. Manipulating the matter at the quantum level has lead to the nanotechnology and quantum computing. This has lead to many exciting possibilities in computer engineering and information processing. Instead of bits of information stored in "1" or "0" in the present day classical computers; quantum teleportation allow the algorithms using quantum bits called qubits that simultaneously contain "1" and "0" by quantum entanglement. Quantum teleportation is a process in which quantum information is destroyed so that it may be transferred simultaneously to another location. This has been proposed as a way to create quantum communication networks and quantum computing protocols. Quantum information cannot be copied, but quantum cryptography has a high degree of security.
Quantum tunneling has offered tremendous opportunities in fiber optics, invention of scanning electron microscope, and nuclear fission reactions and atomic weapons. Semiconductors and superconductivities of some of the elements at low temperatures have lead to the discovery of superconductors and strange properties of matter that are used in technology. If you are interested in knowing what quantum mechanics can do to shape the future technology, then this book is very helpful.
February 28, 2016
Accessible intro to QM
The book is a pleasure to read. Gives accounts of the major points of quantum mechanics and then illustrates these phenomena with related experiments, which grounds the 'weirdness' into reality. Little use of math and history, the focus is on the concepts and their uses in technology. Goes through the foundations: quantization, superposition, uncertainty, duality, entanglement; a bit on atomic structure and particle physics: Bohr atom, the standard model; and some interpretation: measurement problem, coppenhagen, realism, many worlds, Bohmian, decoherence. Not much on 'future physics': dark matter, dark energy, supersymmetry, quantum gravity, multiverse, but the point of the book is to stay grounded. Other good reads: Quantum Realities (layperson, no math, good explanations), Sneaking a Look at Gods Cards (more QM, a little math), The Quantum Challenge (excellent explanations, very strong focus on experiments, some math), Essential Quantum Mechanics (an intro to the math).
The book is a pleasure to read. Gives accounts of the major points of quantum mechanics and then illustrates these phenomena with related experiments, which grounds the 'weirdness' into reality. Little use of math and history, the focus is on the concepts and their uses in technology. Goes through the foundations: quantization, superposition, uncertainty, duality, entanglement; a bit on atomic structure and particle physics: Bohr atom, the standard model; and some interpretation: measurement problem, coppenhagen, realism, many worlds, Bohmian, decoherence. Not much on 'future physics': dark matter, dark energy, supersymmetry, quantum gravity, multiverse, but the point of the book is to stay grounded. Other good reads: Quantum Realities (layperson, no math, good explanations), Sneaking a Look at Gods Cards (more QM, a little math), The Quantum Challenge (excellent explanations, very strong focus on experiments, some math), Essential Quantum Mechanics (an intro to the math).
April 10, 2015
Velmi doporučeníhodné. Principy jsou vysvětleny kvalitně, akorát předposlední kapitola byla taková divoká, protože tam ta zoologická zahrada nebyla moc katalogizovaná. Výborný základní materiál ke studiu.
December 3, 2009
Another fantastic book for the layperson that clearly explains quantum theory -- well, as clearly as it can be explained at this point in time. Fun to read.
September 6, 2015
This is without a doubt the best introduction into quantum mechanics accessible to the general public.
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December 28, 2016Not something I would recommend.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews