Golub and Lamoreaux, “The Historical and Physical Foundations of Quantum Mechanics”

April 17, 2023

The Historical and Physical Foundations of Quantum Mechanics, by Robert Golub (North Carolina State University) and Steve Lamoreaux (Yale University) has just been published by Oxford University Press,

Steve Lamoreaux said, “There is an enormous number of books and other writings concerned with explaining and interpreting quantum mechanics. Standard texts tend to concentrate on methodology and applications to specific problems, while discussions of interpretation and the historical development tend to contain a minimum of mathematics. The idea behind our book is that to gain a real understanding of the subject, some acquaintance with the historical development is essential; after all that history is the narrative of how humanity learned quantum mechanics. The ideas were not found written on stone tablets, but were slowly and painstakingly developed by people just like us. We also provide accompanying discussions for the various interpretations that have been suggested, providing sufficient mathematical illustrations that highlight the respective features and differences.”

Lamoreaux continued, “We conceived the book in 2015 and secured the contract with Oxford University Press summer 2016 after we came up with a title. We finished the manuscript in May 2022 so this was a six year project. “

From the publisher’s website:

Following the path by which humanity learned quantum mechanics can lead to an improved teaching and understanding of the fundamental theory and the origins of its perceived limitations. The purpose of this textbook is to retrace the development of quantum mechanics by investigating primary sources (including original published papers and letters) with attention to their timing and influence. Placing the development of quantum mechanics in its historical context, from the nascent philosophical notions of matter, atoms, and void in Ancient Greece, to their scientific realization in the 19th and 20th centuries, the book culminates with an examination of the current state of the field and an introduction to quantum information and computing.

Features:

  • Didactic approach to the historical development of quantum mechanics
  • Overview of modern techniques and introduction to quantum computing
  • Draws on important primary historical resources
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