The development of elementary quantum theory

Description

This book traces the evolution of the ideas that eventually resulted in the elementary quantum theory in 1925/26. Further, it discusses the essential differences between the fundamental equations of Quantum Theory derived by Born and Jordan, logically comprising Quantum Mechanics and Quantum Optics, and the traditional view of the development of Quantum Mechanics. Drawing on original publications and letters written by the main protagonists of that time, it shows that Einstein’s contributions from 1905 to 1924 laid the essential foundations for the development of Quantum Theory. Einstein introduced quantization of the radiation field; Born added quantized mechanical behavior. In addition, Born recognized that Quantum Mechanics necessarily required Quantum Optics; his radical concept of truly discontinuous and statistical quantum transitions (“quantum leaps”) was directly based on Einstein’s physical concepts. Front Matter ....Pages i-vii Introduction and Outline (Herbert Capellmann)....Pages 1-4 The Fundamental Differences Between Classical and Quantum Physics (Herbert Capellmann)....Pages 5-6 Planck’s Quantum Hypothesis and Einstein’s Contributions to the Foundations of Quantum Theory (Herbert Capellmann)....Pages 7-17 The “Old Quantum Theory” (Herbert Capellmann)....Pages 19-22 The Quantum Theory of Born, Heisenberg, and Jordan (Herbert Capellmann)....Pages 23-39 Continuous Representations of the New Quantum Laws (Herbert Capellmann)....Pages 41-49 The Consequences of the Basic Quantum Laws on Wave Phenomena and Quantum Uncertainties (Herbert Capellmann)....Pages 51-59 Early Opposition to the Copenhagen Interpretation (Herbert Capellmann)....Pages 61-69 Orthodox Portrayals of the Development of Quantum Mechanics, Comparison and Differences (Herbert Capellmann)....Pages 71-76 Later Criticism of the Copenhagen Interpretation (Herbert Capellmann)....Pages 77-81 Back Matter ....Pages 83-98