0
$\begingroup$

I am looking for books on atomic physics in the 'mathematical style' for advanced undergraduate to graduate level. By 'mathematical style' I mean with definitions clearly labeled (e.g. Definition 1.2: LS-Coupling) along with laws etc. An example from physics would be Nuclear and Particle Physics by W.S.C. Williams. Any recommendations?

Related meta post: How broad can a resource-recommendation question be?

|cite|improve this question
$\endgroup$
  • $\begingroup$ Are you looking for mathematical rigor - step by step working of theories ? $\endgroup$ – StephenG Feb 7 '17 at 12:56
  • $\begingroup$ @StephenG Not so much mathematical rigor (although I don't mind this) I am more interested in the style which the book is written in. $\endgroup$ – Quantum spaghettification Feb 7 '17 at 12:58
  • $\begingroup$ What about the Landau and Lifshitz course on theoretical physics ? Although they're old texts and they don't explicitly denote definitions, they follow theory from base principles to application in a methodical way. $\endgroup$ – StephenG Feb 7 '17 at 13:05
  • $\begingroup$ @StephenG Although I do use Landau and Lifshitz I am specifically looking for resources which 'explicitly denote definitions'. $\endgroup$ – Quantum spaghettification Feb 7 '17 at 14:24
  • 3
    $\begingroup$ Since you said you were dyslexic, are you really looking for books that carefully number their equations, box important results, and draw little boundaries around examples? That's a valid thing to ask for, but it's not what the title says. $\endgroup$ – knzhou Mar 7 '17 at 20:57
1
+50
$\begingroup$

Frankly, I think you will really struggle to find any books in the mathematician's style you exemplify that cover anything close to what I would call actual atomic physics. The closest you're likely to get is books on standard quantum mechanics for mathematicians, along the lines of Faddeev and Takhtajan's texts:

Both of these handle quantum mechanics, going all the way up to some fairly sophisticated QFT, in about as much rigour as is currently known for the results (at about the same tone as V.I. Arnold's Mathematical methods of classical mechanics).

However, they stick to standard quantum mechanics, and they do not go into the nitty-gritty of actual calculations for multi-electron atoms, messy additions of angular momenta, and all the mathematically-boring but experimentally-relevant stuff that makes up actual atomic physics. I see little point in a book that did such a thing, and I suspect most authors in a position to write one would tend to agree.

That said, I really don't see what it is you find so "mathematiciany" about Wiliams' Nuclear and particle physics (besides little boxes on the side with informal and heuristic explanations of the keywords, which add very little to actual rigour), and I don't really see how it is different to solid but standard textbooks like e.g.

or the other recommendations of Book recommendation for Atomic & Molecular physics.

|cite|improve this answer
$\endgroup$
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ Maybe mathematical was the wrong word to use. I am very dyslexic (so much so that reading a paragraph let alone a chapter/book is next to useless for me since I won't take it in). I am looking for a book (/books) where I can find information easily without having to read lots of text. When I said mathematical I did not mean 'had lots of maths' or was 'mathematically rigorous' I meant in the layout, such as clear definitions and 'little boxes on the side' so I do not have to read lots of text to get the important information. $\endgroup$ – Quantum spaghettification Mar 7 '17 at 20:27
  • $\begingroup$ Then "mathematical" was entirely the wrong word to use. Frankly, if that is what you meant, I would suggest leaving this question as is and asking a separate question where you make that clear and explicit. If what you care about is formatting, then ask explicitly about that, instead of asking a completely different question and expecting people to read your mind. $\endgroup$ – Emilio Pisanty Mar 7 '17 at 20:34
  • $\begingroup$ In all fairness I did explain what I meant "By 'mathematical style' I mean with definitions clearly labeled (e.g. Definition 1.2: LS-Coupling) along with laws etc." - what is wrong with this? I thought it was also clear from the example of Williams along with the meta post. $\endgroup$ – Quantum spaghettification Mar 7 '17 at 20:40
  • $\begingroup$ By the way feel free to edit the question as you feel appropriate. $\endgroup$ – Quantum spaghettification Mar 7 '17 at 20:45
  • $\begingroup$ That it's a completely superficial reading of the term? Mathematical style does have definitions clearly labeled (so you gave no indication that you actually meant something different) but it goes much deeper than that. The question is tenable as is (though as I said what it asks for probably doesn't exist). It is rude to change the core of the questions after you have answers: if you have a separate question, ask separately. $\endgroup$ – Emilio Pisanty Mar 7 '17 at 20:46

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.