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Currently, relativistic quantum mechanics is considered an advanced topic only accessible to students who have already received considerable training in non-relativistic quantum mechanics. However, the authors believe that they have found an excellent pedagogic approach for simultaneously introducing both topics. This book is considered an Introductory Quantum Mechanics textbook that presents relativistic quantum mechanics to interested learners with no previous knowledge of it. The authors avoid utilization of the well-known Lorentz invariant equations. Additionally, they only refer to the Klein-Gordon and Dirac equations to justify the use of the Poveda-Poirier-Grave de Peralta (PPGP) equations, upon which this book is solely based (while sporadically referring to well-known results obtained using the Klein-Gordon and Dirac equations to avoid unnecessary complications in an introductory book). There also exist two complementary Schrödinger-like and Pauli-like PPGP equations, the solutions of which are identical to the respective solutions of the Klein-Gordon and Dirac equations associated with negative kinetic energies. These equations' relation to the existence of antiparticles is discussed. The intended readership is undergraduate physics, chemistry, and engineering students with no previous knowledge of quantum mechanics, as well as graduate students and professionals interested in the subject.
List of contents
The Need for Quantum Mechanics.- The Wave Equation.- Introducing Relativity in Quantum Mechanics.- Other One-Dimensional Problems.- Quantum Mechanics in Three Dimensions.- Angular Momentum.- Identical Particles.- Some Consequences of Relativity for Quantum Mechanics.
About the author
Luis Grave de Peralta is Full Professor of Physics in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Texas Tech University. He is Author of more than 90 articles in academic peer-reviewed journals. This book is the result of three full years of research and the author¿s experience teaching.
Maricela Fernandez-Losada has a Ph.D. in Theoretical Physics. She is Co-author of the Spanish version of the book.
Gage Eichman, Abhishek Singh, and Gabrielle Prime are undergraduate physics students. They participated in a quantum mechanics course offered by L. Grave de Peralta. The approach proposed in the manuscript was applied in this course. Their experience as students on the receiving end of the proposed approach was invaluable for the culmination of the manuscript.
