Geometric Phases in Classical and Quantum Mechanics
[Book]
by Dariusz Chruściński, Andrzej Jamiołkowski.
Boston, MA :
Imprint: Birkhäuser,
2004.
Progress in Mathematical Physics ;
36
1 Mathematical Background -- 2 Adiabatic Phases in Quantum Mechanics -- 3 Adiabatic Phases in Classical Mechanics -- 4 Geometric Approach to Classical Phases -- 5 Geometry of Quantum Evolution -- 6 Geometric Phases in Action -- A Classical Matrix Lie Groups and Algebras -- B Quaternions.
0
This work examines the beautiful and important physical concept known as the 'geometric phase,' bringing together different physical phenomena under a unified mathematical and physical scheme. Several well-established geometric and topological methods underscore the mathematical treatment of the subject, emphasizing a coherent perspective at a rather sophisticated level. What is unique in this text is that both the quantum and classical phases are studied from a geometric point of view, providing valuable insights into their relationship that have not been previously emphasized at the textbook level. Key Topics and Features: - Background material presents basic mathematical tools on manifolds and differential forms. - Topological invariants (Chern classes and homotopy theory) are explained in simple and concrete language, with emphasis on physical applications. - Berry's adiabatic phase and its generalization are introduced. - Systematic exposition treats different geometries (e.g., symplectic and metric structures) living on a quantum phase space, in connection with both abelian and nonabelian phases. - Quantum mechanics is presented as classical Hamiltonian dynamics on a projective Hilbert space. - Hannay's classical adiabatic phase and angles are explained. - Review of Berry and Robbins' revolutionary approach to spin-statistics. - A chapter on Examples and Applications paves the way for ongoing studies of geometric phases. - Problems at the end of each chapter. - Extended bibliography and index. Graduate students in mathematics with some prior knowledge of quantum mechanics will learn about a class of applications of differential geometry and geometric methods in quantum theory. Physicists and graduate students in physics will learn techniques of differential geometry in an applied context.