Customer Reviews

Relativistic Quantum Mechanics: With Applications in Condensed Matter and Atomic Physics

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

A short paragraph from this book:
"Now the transformation of (7.18) is just a matter of multiplying out the matrices defined in (7.19) in the right order. It takes several pages of algebra, and it is very easy to make mistakes (believe me, I speak from experience). Therefore, I suggest you either do not do it, or, if possible, set it as an exercise for anyone who particularly irritates you."
Now I say, any textbook with this kind of writing can't be too bad. Still, this book is "not" an easy one. It's an invaluable reference for physicists working on magnetic properties from the Dirac theory up, as one reviewer said. Not the best for high-energy oriented, though.

Already decades ago many excellent books dealing with relativistic quantum mechanics (RQM) have been published. Clearly one of the unique features of the RQM book by P. Strange is that it does not only discuss the general concepts of RQM in (Chapters 1-10), but also describes in a great detail electronic structure and various x-ray spectroscopy theories used in the state-of-the-art research of magnetic materials (Chapters 10-12). Also a student learning quantum mechanics for solid state might feel the relativistic one-dimensional Kronig-Penney model in Chapter 9 quite useful. Interestingly, a relativistic version of the microscopic theory of superconductivity in the framework of the Bogolubov-de Gennes equations has been presented in Chapter 13. A nice extra feature is that the SI system of units has been used throughout the book.

All in all, Relativistic Quantum Mechanics book by P. Strange works as a valuable textbook as well as reference material for graduate students and researchers. It is especially useful for those studying solid state magnetism from microscopic theory viewpoint. Bringing RQM into the context of solid state physics research (Chapters 10-13) is obviously one of the best features of the book.

I have read this book as a physics undergraduate and also since I started my Ph.D. in theoretical physics, and I have found it, unlike other text books, very well written and extremely helpful. It is highly recommendable for undergraduates and the maths is very easy to follow for any science undergraduate or graduate. It is definitely one of the best relativistic quantume mechanics books available.

As an final year undergraduate taking an option in Relativistic quantum Mechanics I found this book invaluable in helping me with the course. It's clear, concise explanations of Relativistic Quantum theories made the whole subject that much easier to get to grips with.

This is an excellent introduction to Relativistic Quantum Mechanics. I would highly recommend this text for the use of final year (special option) undergraduate students and post-graduates who wish to obtain a fundamental grasp of this exciting area of research.

This text, which starts at a basic level, introduces the reader to the theory of special relativity and angular momentum. Later chapters aim to give the reader insight into how Relativistic Quantum Mechanics can be used to describe, for example, magneto-optical effects (important in the magentic recording industry) and superconductivity (another 'hot' area of research in physics today).

This book starts at a level easily accessible to a final year undergraduate and develops the subject to the level of a researcher in condensed matter physics. I found the book easy to read and instructive. Chapter 9 is particularly good, being entirely devoted to solving several model problems. I thoroughly recommend this book as a clear and well written text.

This book is a useful text to undergraduates studying Relativistic Quantum Mechanics as it enables the reader to understand the explanations and equations used in this field. This is achieved through the 'down to earth' language used in writing this book. I know that I would not have passed my RQM undergraduate course without it.

Paul Strange's text should not be used by Graduate Students who are learning Relativistic Quantum Mechanics. Strange leaves much to be desired in his method for presenting topics and in his writing style. It seems more of a collection of his papers meant for other professors presented at colloquia rather than a coherent and understandable text meant for learning from. Purchase only if you intend to buy or have access to the numerous other texts referenced to on practically every page.

I rate this advanced physics text: "Avoid if possible."