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Die Anfänge der Quantenmechanik

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The development of quantum mechanics led, in the first three decades of the twentieth century, to a complete invalidation of classical physics. While some catchwords of that era, such as uncertainty relations, wave mechanics or the Copenhagen interpretation, are still widely encountered, many details have fallen into oblivion. This results in current discussions about them being partly erroneous and partly absent altogether.

The present book attempts to bring this initial phase back somewhat into the centre of physical interest and, at the same time, to set straight a number of legends that are widespread today but inaccurate, concerning both historical and physical matters. It describes the beginning of the historical development of quantum mechanics from the perspective of mathematical physics. “Initial phase” here means the period from the very first discoveries up to immediately before the introduction of Hilbert space quantum mechanics. The perspective of mathematical physics places the emphasis on the formal, mathematical structure of the emerging theory.

Accordingly, the reader will find detailed accounts of the essential results that, over a span of some thirty years, led from Planck’s radiation formula to the mature, practically proven quantum mechanics as it presented itself before the transition to the mathematical quantum mechanics of the modern era. This includes aspects such as cavity radiation, the light quantum hypothesis, matrix mechanics and wave mechanics, as well as a critical account of the early philosophical interpretations of the then still young theory. Many of the topics presented here can be found in comparable detail only in the original literature or in contemporary textbooks, and there not infrequently in a form that is difficult to read. In part, the reflections of the pioneers display a striking topicality and are therefore still of scientific interest; in part, they have long been superseded or have proved to be wrong, yet even then it is well worth engaging with them, both as regards physical creativity and mathematical virtuosity. Even experts in the field are likely to come across one or another matter that is new to them.