Gustafson, S. J., University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada; Sigal, I. M., University of Toronto, ON, Canada

Mathematical Concepts of Quantum Mechanics

2003 Approx. 247p. 35 illus. Softcover
3-540-44160-3

The book gives a streamlined introduction to quantum mechanics, while describing the basic mathematical structures underpinning this discipline. Starting with the description of key physical experiments illustrating the origin of the physical foundations, the book proceeds to a description of the basic notions of quantum mechanics and their mathematical content.

It then makes its way to topics of current interest, specifically those in which mathematics plays an important role. The topics presented include spectral theory, many-body theory, positive temperatures, path integrals and quasiclassical asymptotics, the theory of resonances, an introduction to quantum field theory and the theory of radiation.

The book can serve as a text for an intermediate course in quantum mechanics, or a more advanced topics course.

Contents:

Physical background.- Mathematical detour: operator theory.- Dynamics.- Mathematical detour: the Fourier transform.- Observables.- The uncertainty principle.- Spectral theory.- Scattering states.- Special cases.- Many-particle systems.- Density matrices.- The Feynman path integral.- Mathematical detour: the calculus of variations.- Mathematical detours: the stationary phase method and operator determinants.- Quasi-classical analysis.-Resonances.- Introduction to quantum field theory.- Quantum electrodynamics of non-relativistic particles: the theory of radiation.- Supplement: renormalization group.-Comments on missing topics, literature, and further reading.

Series: Universitext.

Schweitzer, M. A., University of Bonn, Germany

A Parallel Multilevel Partition of Unity Method
for Elliptic Partial Differential Equations

2003 V, 194 p. Softcover
3-540-00351-7

The numerical treatment of partial differential equations with meshfree discretization techniques has been a very active research area in recent years. Up to now, however, meshfree methods have been in an early experimental stage and were not competitive due to the lack of efficient iterative solvers and numerical quadrature. This volume now presents an efficient parallel implementation of a meshfree method, namely the partition of unity method (PUM). A general numerical integration scheme is presented for the efficient assembly of the stiffness matrix as well as an optimal multilevel solver for the arising linear system. Furthermore, detailed information on the parallel implementation of the method on distributed memory computers is provided and numerical results are presented in two and three space dimensions with linear, higher order and augmented approximation spaces with up to 42 million degrees of freedom.

Series: Lecture Notes in Computational Science and Engineering. Volume. 29


Cao, F., IRISA / INRIA, Rennes, France

Geometric Curve Evolution and Image Processing

2003 X, 187 p. Softcover
3-540-00402-5

In image processing, "motions by curvature" provide an efficient way to smooth curves representing the boundaries of objects. In such a motion, each point of the curve moves, at any instant, with a normal velocity equal to a function of the curvature at this point. This book is a rigorous and self-contained exposition of the techniques of "motion by curvature". The approach is axiomatic and formulated in terms of geometric invariance with respect to the position of the observer. This is translated into mathematical terms, and the author develops the approach of Olver, Sapiro and Tannenbaum, which classifies all curve evolution equations. He then draws a complete parallel with another axiomatic approach using level-set methods: this leads to generalized curvature motions. Finally, novel, and very accurate, numerical schemes are proposed allowing one to compute the solution of highly degenerate evolution equations in a completely invariant way. The convergence of this scheme is also proved.

Contents:

Preface.- Part I. The curve smoothing problem: 1. Curve evolution and image processing; 2. Rudimentary bases of curve geometry.- Part II. Theoretical curve evolution: 3. Geometric curve shortening flow; 4. Curve evolution and level sets.- Part III. Numerical curve evolution: 5. Classical numerical methods for curve evolution; 6. A geometrical scheme for curve evolution.- Conclusion and perspectives.- A. Proof of Thm. 4.3.4.- References.- Index.

Series: Lecture Notes in Mathematics. Volume. 1805

Broer, H., University of Groningen, The Netherlands; Hoveijn, I., University of Groningen, The Netherlands; Lunter, G., University of Oxford, UK; Vegter, G., University of Gronningen, The Netherlands

Bifurcations in Hamiltonian Systems
Computing Singularities by Grobner Bases

2003 XIII, 169 p. Softcover
3-540-00403-3

The authors consider applications of singularity theory and computer algebra to bifurcations of Hamiltonian dynamical systems. They restrict themselves to the case were the following simplification is possible. Near the equilibrium or (quasi-) periodic solution under consideration the linear part allows approximation by a normalized Hamiltonian system with a torus symmetry. It is assumed that reduction by this symmetry leads to a system with one degree of freedom. The volume focuses on two such reduction methods, the planar reduction (or polar coordinates) method and the reduction by the energy momentum mapping. The one-degree-of-freedom system then is tackled by singularity theory, where computer algebra, in particular, Grobner basis techniques, are applied. The readership addressed consists of advanced graduate students and researchers in dynamical systems.

Contents:

Introduction.- I. Applications: Methods I: Planar reduction; Method II: The energy-momentum map.- II. Theory: Birkhoff Normalization; Singularity Theory; Grobner bases and Standard bases; Computing normalizing transformations.- Appendix A.1. Classification of term orders; Appendix A.2. Proof of Proposition 5.8.- References.- Index.

Series: Lecture Notes in Mathematics. Volume. 1806

Grauert, H., University of Gottingen, Germany; Remmert, R., Westfalische-Wilhelms-Universitat, Munster, Germany

Theory of Stein Spaces

Reprint of the 1st ed. New York 1979 2003 Approx. 255 p. 5 illus. Softcover
3-540-00373-8

From the reviews:

"Theory of Stein Spaces provides a rich variety of methods, results, and motivations - a book with masterful mathematical care and judgement. It is a pleasure to have this fundamental material now readily accessible to any serious mathematician."
J. Eells in Bulletin of the London Mathematical Society (1980)

"Written by two mathematicians who played a crucial role in the development of the modern theory of several complex variables, this is an important book."
J.B. Cooper in Internationale Mathematische Nachrichten (1979)

Contents:

Introduction.- Sheaf Theory.- Cohomology Theory.- Coherence Theory for Finite Holomorphic Maps.- Differential Forms and Dolbeault Theory.- Theorems A and B for Compact Blocks Cm.- Stein Spaces.- Applications of Theorems A and B.- The Finiteness Theorem.- Compact Riemann Surfaces.- Bibliography.- Subject Index.- List of Symbols.

Series: Classics in Mathematics.

Joswig, M., Technische Universitat Berlin, Germany; Takayama, N., University of Kobe, Japan (Eds.)

Algebra, Geometry and Software Systems

2003 Approx. 331 p. 80 illus. Hardcover
3-540-00256-1

In many fields of modern mathematics specialised scientific software becomes increasingly important. Hence, tremendous effort is taken by numerous groups all over the world to develop appropriate solutions.
This book contains surveys and research papers on mathematical software and algorithms. The common thread is that the field of mathematical applications lies on the border between algebra and geometry. Topics include polyhedral geometry, elimination theory, algebraic surfaces, Grobner bases, triangulations of point sets and the mutual relationship. This diversity is accompanied by the abundance of available software systems which often handle only special mathematical aspects. Therefore the volume's other focus is on solutions towards the integration of mathematical software systems. This includes low-level and XML based high-level communication channels as well as general framework for modular systems.

Keywords: mathematical software, software engineering

Kanamori, A., Boston University, Boston, MA, USA

The Higher Infinite

2nd ed. 2003 XXIV, 540 p. Hardcover
3-540-00384-3

The theory of large cardinals is currently a broad mainstream of modern set theory, the main area of investigation for the analysis of the relative consistency of mathematical propositions and possible new axioms for mathematics. The first of a projected multi-volume series, this book provides a comprehensive account of the theory of large cardinals from its beginnings and some of the direct outgrowths leading to the frontiers of contemporary research. A "genetic" approach is taken, presenting the subject in the context of its historical development. With hindsight the consequential avenues are pursued and the most elegant or accessible expositions given. With open questions and speculations provided throughout the reader should not only come to appreciate the scope and coherence of the overall enterprise but also become prepared to pursue research in several specific areas by studying the relevant sections.

Keywords: infinitary combinatorics, large cardinals, relative consistency results, set theory, new axioms for set theory

Series: Springer Monographs in Mathematics.