Quantum Physics for Scientists and Technologists
Why Did I Write This Book?
Depending on your needs, this may or may not be a useful book for you. However, when I started writing this book, one thing was crystal clear to me: I was not up to writing another quantum physics book. The idea for writing this book emerged out of the need that I personally felt when I was in the process of expanding my horizons from physics to computer science, biology, chemistry, and nanotechnology. I realized the following three things:
- Now that many scientific disciplines are entering the world of nanoscience and nanotechnology, the need for learning quantum physics is not limited to the boundaries of physics.
- Most (if not all) comprehensive quantum physics book are written for physicists or physics majors, and therefore often use abstract and complex mathematical formalisms, techniques, and conventions.
- It is possible to present quantum physics by using simple calculus that all science students learn during their lower division undergraduate course work.
This realization gave birth to the idea of writing this book. To make this book accessible not only to the physics students who are beginners to quantum physics, but also to science students and professionals with non-physics majors, I implemented some features including the following:
- To ease the reader smoothly into the chapter, each chapter begins with
an interesting picture with a light amusing note that is in a direct or
subtle way related to the main issue in the chapter.
- To inspire the readers, the quantum mechanics related individual
achievements within the communal environment are emphasized by
presenting brief biographies throughout the book. It also contributes to
keeping the presentation interesting.
- Throughout the book, concepts and principles of quantum physics are
explained in the language of nonphysics majors by presenting examples
and applications from nonphysics fields including chemistry, biology,
nanotechnology, computer science, and related fields.
- Living in the Quantum World, a section at the end of each chapter,
features real – world applications of one or more quantum mechanics
principles discussed in the chapter.
- It is shown throughout the book how quantum principles generate the
same results as classical physics when we move from the micro – to the
macroworld.
- The interfaces and connections between quantum physics and nonphysics
fields, such as biology, chemistry, computing, and nanotechnology, are
identified or introduced in an easy to understand fashion.
- Each concepts and principle of quantum physics is explained from
scratch the first time it appears in the book and no prior knowledge of quantum physics is assumed.
- The material is presented in a logical learning sequence: a section builds
upon previous sections and a chapter builds upon previous chapters.
There is no hopping from topic to topic and no jargon without
explanation.
- Enough study checkpoints and problems with solutions are presented
throughout the book to make difficult concepts easy to understand.
Writing this book is just the beginning of my little effort toward taking quantum physics not only to the physics undergraduates but also to students and professionals in science with non-physics majors. If you have any suggestions to improve this book in the next editions, please feel free to send me an email.
Best regards.
Paul
P.S. Here is the Preface from the book:
Science, Technology, and Quantum Physics: Mind the Gap
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