The Quantum Theory of Light

by Rodney Loudon

Book Overview

This third edition, like its two predecessors, provides a detailed account of the basic theory needed to understand the properties of light and its interactions with atoms, in particular the many nonclassical effects that have now been observed in quantum-optical experiments. The earlier chapters describe the quantum mechanics of various optical processes, leading from the classical representation of the electromagnetic field to the quantum theory...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0198511558
• ISBN13: 9780198511557
• Release Date: August 1983
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
• Length: 410 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.2" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Great Introduction

This is a decent book. I'd agree that it can be dry and focused on equations more than physics at times, but it offers a very balanced selection of topics, and clearer explanations than many physics books. I particularly like the progression from old quantum theory to semiclassical theory to the fully quantized theory. It emphasizes the useful aspects of each theory, in particular the usefulness of the old theory in terms of simplicity and accuracy in many situations. History may not always be the best approach to science, but it works if you emphasize the usefulness of simple models and how they follow from more sophisticated models.