The Quantum Phase Operator: A Review

Book Details

• Author: Stephen M. Barnett

• Publisher: CRC Press

• Language: English

• Edition: Reprint

• ISBN: 9780367389147

• Pages: 499

• Cover: Paperback

• Dimensions: 9.9 x 6.9 x 1.3 inches

• Weight: Not provided

About the Book

The Quantum Phase Operator: A Review, edited by Stephen M. Barnett, provides a comprehensive exploration of the quantum phase operator, an essential but challenging concept in modern quantum theory. The book addresses the historical and scientific obstacles in describing the phase of an electromagnetic field mode or harmonic oscillator—problems that arose in the early days of quantum theory and became even more complex with the advent of the maser and laser in the 1950s and 1960s.

The development of the quantum phase operator remained a significant challenge until the 1980s when the Pegg-Barnett formalism provided a groundbreaking solution. This book brings together seminal works on the subject, including those that contributed to the current theory of the phase operator. Through detailed introductions and a chronological organization of the papers, the editors create a cohesive narrative that traces the evolution of scientific thought in this area.

With an emphasis on the progression of quantum phase theory, this book serves as an invaluable resource for those seeking to understand the historical and theoretical development of phase and angle operators. It is essential reading for researchers and students interested in quantum mechanics, offering a solid foundation in one of the key aspects of quantum theory.