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| THE QUANTUM VACUUM
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An Introduction to Quantum Electrodynamics
To order this title, and for more information, click here
By
Peter Milonni, Los Alamos National Laboratory
Description
In modern physics, the classical vacuum of tranquil nothingness has been replaced by a quantum vacuum with fluctuations of measurable
consequence. In The Quantum Vacuum, Peter Milonni describes the concept of the vacuum in quantum physics with an emphasis
on quantum electrodynamics. He elucidates in depth and detail the role of the vacuum electromagnetic field in spontaneous emission, the
Lamb shift, van der Waals, and Casimir forces, and a variety of other phenomena, some of which are of technological as well as purely
scientific importance.
This informative text also provides an introduction based on fundamental vacuum processes to the ideas of relativistic
quantum electrodynamics and quantum field theory, including renormalization and Feynman diagrams. Experimental as well as theoreticalaspects
of the quantum vacuum are described, and in most cases details of mathematical derivations are included.
Chapter 1 of The Quantum
Vacuum - published in advance in The American Journal of Physics (1991)-was later selected by readers as one of the
Most Memorable papers ever published in the 60-year history of the journal. This chapter provides anexcellent beginning of the book,
introducing a wealth of information of historical interest, the results of which are carefully woven into subsequent chapters to form
a coherent whole.
Audience
Physicists and graduate students in academia, libraries; and physicists at national and industrial laboratories.
Contents
(Chapter Heading): Zero-Point Energy in Early Quantum Theory. The Electromagnetic Vacuum. Some QED Vacuum Effects. Nonrelativistic Theory
of Atoms in Vacuum. Interlude: Radiation Reaction. The Vacuum in Quantum Optics. Casimirand van der Waals Forces: Prelude. Casimir and
van der Waals Forces: Elaborations. The Dirac Equation. Introduction to Quantum Field Theory. Self-Energies and Renormalization. Feynman
Diagrams. Appendices: Oscillator Equation and Absorption Rate. Force onan Atom in a Thermal Field. Derivation of Equation (2.28). Electric
Field of Radiation Reaction. Photodetection and Normal Ordering. Transverse and Longitudinal Delta Functions. Lorentz-Invariant Measure.
Index.
| Bibliographic details |
Hardbound, 522 pages, publication date: OCT-1993
ISBN-13: 978-0-12-498080-8
ISBN-10: 0-12-498080-5
Imprint: ACADEMIC PRESS
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| Price and Ordering |
Price:
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USD 143
EUR 111.95
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Last update: 4 Sep 2009
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