Quantum Quantum Theory from First Principles

  • Thread starter Thread starter Frabjous
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Quantum theory
AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers around the book "Quantum Theory from First Principles" by D'Ariano et al., which is praised for its concise and rigorous approach to quantum theory using a diagrammatic method. The book is structured into three main parts: it explores the Hilbert space formalism of quantum theory and its relation to information theory, discusses information theoretic principles as foundational to quantum theory, and derives quantum theory from six key information theoretic principles. Importantly, the focus is on the abstract formalism of quantum theory rather than specific physical systems. Additionally, the exercises included in the book are noted for their quality, guiding readers through the development of concepts presented in the text.
Frabjous
Gold Member
Messages
1,952
Reaction score
2,382
@LittleSchwinger recently recommended this book

LittleSchwinger said:
If you enjoy it D'Ariano et al's "Quantum Theory from First Principles" uses a similar diagramatic approach but is more concise and rigorous.

What are peoples thoughts on it?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
I fully agree with my own recommendations :wink:

Basically the book is divided into three parts:
  1. An examination of the Hilbert space formalism of quantum theory and how it generalises information theory.
  2. A discussion of information theoretic principles and how aspects of quantum theory are simply consequences of them
  3. A derivation of quantum theory from six information theoretic principles
Note: I say "quantum theory" to refer to the abstract formalism of Hilbert Spaces and operators on them. The book does not examine any physics as such, i.e. explicit systems like hydrogen atoms, harmonic oscillators, gases etc. It's an investigation of the abstract formalism.

The exercises are very well crafted and often take the form of a guided development of ideas from the text.
 
  • Like
  • Informative
Likes vanhees71, Demystifier, Greg Bernhardt and 2 others
The book is fascinating. If your education includes a typical math degree curriculum, with Lebesgue integration, functional analysis, etc, it teaches QFT with only a passing acquaintance of ordinary QM you would get at HS. However, I would read Lenny Susskind's book on QM first. Purchased a copy straight away, but it will not arrive until the end of December; however, Scribd has a PDF I am now studying. The first part introduces distribution theory (and other related concepts), which...

Similar threads

Replies
14
Views
3K
Replies
1
Views
3K
Replies
16
Views
5K
Replies
9
Views
5K
Replies
27
Views
9K
Back
Top