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Quantum Theory, together with the principles of special and general relativity, constitute a scientific revolution that has profoundly influenced the way in which we think about the universe and the fundamental forces that govern it. The Historical Development of Quantum Theory is a definitive historical study of that scientific work and the human struggles that accompanied it from the beginning. Drawing upon such materials as the resources of the Archives for the History of Quantum Physics, the Niels Bohr Archives, and the archives and scientific correspondence of the principal quantum physicists, as well as Jagdish Mehra's personal discussions over many years with most of the architects of quantum theory, the authors have written a rigorous scientific history of quantum theory in a deeply human context. This multivolume work presents a rich account of an intellectual triumph: a unique analysis of the creative scientific process. The Historical Development of Quantum Theory is science, history, and biography, all wrapped in the story of a great human enterprise. Its lessons will be an aid to those working in the sciences and humanities alike.
List of contents
3. The Creation of Wave Mechanics: Scientific Exchange with Plank and Einstein; First Steps Toward the Hydrogen Equation; The Nonrelativistic Hydrogen Equation; Sources of Undulatory Mechanics; Foundations of Undulatory Mechanics. 4. Early Response and Applications: The Scheme Starts to Work; Early Response to Wave Mechanics; Formal Equivalence of Wave Mechanics and Matrix Mechanics; Application and Extensions; Towards an Undulatory Interpretation of Atomic Phenomena.
About the author
Erwin Schrödinger, geboren 1887 in Wien, gestorben 1964 ebenda, gehörte zur Elite der Physiker des 20. Jahrhunderts. Mit der Entdeckung der nach ihm benannten Wellengleichung hat er wesentlich zur Entwicklung der gesamten Atomphysik beigetragen. Bahnbrechend waren auch seine Leistungen auf den Gebieten der Farbenlehre, der Thermodynamik, der statischen Mechanik und der Relativitätstheorie. 1933 erhielt er den Nobelpreis für Physik. 1938 musste er mit seiner Frau endgültig ins Exil gehen. Wenige Jahre vor seinem Tod kehrte er nach Österreich zurück.
Summary
A historical study of the scientific work and the human struggles that accompanied it from the beginning.
Report
Comments by distinguished physicists on "The Historical Development of Quantum Theory": "the most definitive work undertaken by anyone on this vast and most important development in the history of physics. Jagdish Mehra, trained in theoretical physics under Pauli, Heisenberg, and Dirac, pursued the vision of his youth to write about the historical and conceptual development of quantum theory in the 20th century. This series of books on the HDQT has thus become the most authentic and permanent source of our knowledge of how quantum theory, its extensions and applications developed. My heartfelt congratulations." -Hans A. Bethe, Nobel Laureate "A thrilling and magnificent achievement!" -Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar, FRS, Nobel Laureate "capture(s) precisely, accurately, and thoroughly the very essence and all the fundamental details of the theory, and that is a remarkable achievement. I have greatly enjoyed reading these books and learned so many new things from them. This series of books will remain a permanent source of knowledge about the creation and development of quantum theory. Congratulations!" -Paul A. Dirac, FRS, Nobel Laureate "The wealth and accuracy of detail in he Historical Development of Quantum Theory'are breathtaking." -Richard P. Feynman, Nobel Laureate
