The Elements of the New Quantum Mechanics

Abstract

FOUR or five years ago, following what may be termed the ‘Quantum Renaissance’ of 1924 onwards, numerous textbooks ranging from the outline to the comprehensive survey began to appear. Many were little more than compilations from the original papers of those responsible for the new developments. In spite of the apparent remoteness, at the present time, of any finality in the results achieved, it is now possible to obtain some critical digests of the real essentials of what has been done. In this category falls the volume under review, consisting of two reports covering, respectively, the period before and after 1926. The authors state that they have tried to bring into clear relief all the physically important ideas that have played a part in the development of the new quantum mechanics, and to interfuse the theoretical with the physical principles. The account is intended to meet the need felt by numerous physicists to grasp the fundamental ideas of the new and not easily understood developments, and therefore aims at a wide and intelligible treatment rather than an exact and complete presentation.

The Elements of the New Quantum Mechanics.

By Otto Halpern Hans Thirring Translated from the German by Dr. Henry L. Brose. Pp. xi + 215. (London: Methuen and Co., Ltd., 1932.) 12s. 6d. net.