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"Singlemindedly devoted to its job of educating potential many-particle theorists ... deserves to become the standard text in the field."--Physics Today. "The most comprehensive textbook yet published in its field and every postgraduate student or teacher in this field should own or have access to a copy."--Endeavor. A self-contained treatment of nonrelativistic many-particle systems, this text discusses both formalism and applications. Chapters on second quantization and statistical mechanics introduce ground-state (zero-temperature) formalism, which is explored by way of Green's functions and field theory (fermions), Fermi systems, linear response and collective modes, and Bose systems. Finite-temperature formalism is examined through field theory at finite temperature, physical systems at finite temperature, and real-time Green's functions and linear response. Additional topics cover canonical transformations and applications to physical systems in terms of nuclear matter, phonons and electrons, superconductivity, and superfluid helium as well as applications to finite systems. 1971 ed. 149 figures. 8 tables.
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Customer Reviews (10)

Ab initio learning Quantum Many Body Systems
This book is definitely a good start to study quantum field theory.To read this book, the reader must be already acquainted with single body quantum theory, perturbation theory and the symmetrization principles.The text is formal and somewhat old-fashioned, but very complete : every step of every calculation is justified.Although the style might not be the most pedagogical you can find, everything the reader needs to know is included in the book, which makes it easy to progress.Relevant and realistic examples of many-body systems are presented throughout the book to illustrate the theoretical concepts.If you plan to do a lot of work on quantum many-body systems, you should have this book : it is a very good reference and it is not expensive.This should not prevent the reader, however, from looking at more modern references.

This is a graduate level textbook, but some chapters may be relevant to an undergraduate student doing an internship in the field, or that is simply curious!

Benjamin D'Anjou
Physics Major
Université de Sherbrooke

Good introductory read on MBQM
The Fetter and Walecka is an excellent introductory read on many-body quantum mechanics. It slowly introduces new concepts, beginning from the basics of second quantization, and proceeds through the entire theory using Wick's theorem and second-quantized methods. The section on examples gives the book a nice general appeal. As a condensed matter physicist, I can focus on getting the basic examples given in my section down, while still getting a good sampling of other branches of physics in a well-written way.

Although it should not be the end of one's study of many-body quantum mechanics, it should certainly be the beginning. The Abrikosov, although very thorough and covering a wide range of topics, is written more as a list of results than as a text to learn from. Furthermore, one would probably want to hunt down a text like the Schulman "Methods and Applications of Path Integration" or the Negele "Quantum Many-Particle Systems" to see the imaginary time and path integral formulations of these topics.

Green's functions vs. Many-body physics
It is the best text on Green's functions, especially if you are a kind of person who really reads through books trying to figure the things out. Probably the only book which succeeds in promoting analytic continuation for newcomers (although I also recomment appendix in the book by Kadanoff&Baym): it seems like many people get impression of this being a topic of secondary importance, whereas it is the conerstone of the imaginary time techniques.
I also recommend Abrikosov et al. as a classic and a good sample of how the things are done in majority of the papers (and the Dover edition is really cheap).
Sorry for Mahan, as it makes a good reference book, but not a book you can learn from.
I found that more practical people give preference to the book by Jauho and Haug- it is not a bad one, has Keldysh technique, and containes useful references to important review papers.
Finally, I recommend the book by Negele and Orland as a more modern look at "many-body physics" as it is versus "Green's functions books".

solid text
I find F&W's writing lucid and their math clear. it's more fleshed out than a text like mahan. the only drawback is that it's old fashioned. hbar isnt 1like many authors.

so I would get this over abrikosov et al, and you'd need another text if you wanted to learn about path integral techniques, but pound for pound (and considering that dover reprints are cheap) it holds its own.

it's good for bosons (BEC stuff these days), and superconductors, weak on interacting fermions bc it focused on the nuclear problem instead of metals.

Still a Standard Text
Very well written and with a comprehensive explanation of the basics of advanced quantum theory. This is the place for understanding about computing propagators and Feynman diagrams to arbitrary order.

Plus, the Dyson equation! At last, you can find out what made Freeman Dyson famous amongst physicists. You can decide whether this ranks in importance to Feynman's and Schwinger's discoveries.

The problem sets are nontrivial. Which will be appreciated by you, AFTER you have attempted them. (Whilst you are in an allnighter, trying to finish a problem set, your opinion may differ!)

The book does not cover superstrings, because those came after its publication. ... Read more

Product Description
This book has become a favorite of K-12 teachers, university faculty, and corporate consultants. It provides short gaming exercises that illustrate the subtleties of systems thinking. The companion DVD shows the authors introducing and running each of the thirty games.

Product Description
Infinte dimensional systems can be used to describe many physical phenomena in the real world. Well-known examples are heat conduction, vibrations of elastic material, diffusion-reaction processes, population systems, and many others. Thus, the optimal control theory for infinite dimensional systems has a wide range of applications in engineering, economics, and some other fields. On the other hand, this theory has its own mathematical interests since it is regarded as a generalization for the classical calculus of variations, and it generates many interesting mathematical questions. The Pontryagin maximum principle, the Bellman dynamic programming method and the Kalman optimal linear quadratic regulator theory are regarded as the three milestones of modern (finite dimensional) control theory. Over the past thirty years, the corresponding theory for infinite dimensional systems has also been developed. The essential difficulties for the infinite dimensional theory come from two aspects: the unboundedness of the differential operator or the generator of the strongly continuous semigroup and the lack of the local compactness of the underlying spaces. The purpose of this book is to introduce optimal control theory for infinite dimensional systems. The authors present the existence theory for optimal controls, the Pontryagin maximum principle, the Bellman dynamic programming principle and the linear quadratic optimal control problems. Some applications are also included in this volume. ... Read more

Product Description
Theoretical and practical tools to master matrix code design strategy and technique


Error correcting and detecting codes are essential to improving system reliability and have popularly been applied to computer systems and communication systems. Coding theory has been studied mainly using the code generator polynomials; hence, the codes are sometimes called polynomial codes. On the other hand, the codes designed by parity check matrices are referred to in this book as matrix codes. This timely book focuses on the design theory for matrix codes and their practical applications for the improvement of system reliability. As the author effectively demonstrates, matrix codes are far more flexible than polynomial codes, as they are capable of expressing various types of code functions.

In contrast to other coding theory publications, this one does not burden its readers with unnecessary polynomial algebra, but rather focuses on the essentials needed to understand and take full advantage of matrix code constructions and designs. Readers are presented with a full array of theoretical and practical tools to master the fine points of matrix code design strategy and technique:
* Code designs are presented in relation to practical applications, such as high-speed semiconductor memories, mass memories of disks and tapes, logic circuits and systems, data entry systems, and distributed storage systems
* New classes of matrix codes, such as error locating codes, spotty byte error control codes, and unequal error control codes, are introduced along with their applications
* A new parallel decoding algorithm of the burst error control codes is demonstrated

In addition to the treatment of matrix codes, the author provides readers with a general overview of the latest developments and advances in the field of code design. Examples, figures, and exercises are fully provided in each chapter to illustrate concepts and engage the reader in designing actual code and solving real problems. The matrix codes presented with practical parameter settings will be very useful for practicing engineers and researchers. References lead to additional material so readers can explore advanced topics in depth.

Engineers, researchers, and designers involved in dependable system design and code design research will find the unique focus and perspective of this practical guide and reference helpful in finding solutions to many key industry problems. It also can serve as a coursebook for graduate and advanced undergraduate students. ... Read more

Product Description

With adaptive, complex networks, the evolution of the network topology and the dynamical processes on the network are equally important and often fundamentally entangled. Recent research has shown that such networks can exhibit a plethora of new phenomena which are ultimately required to describe many real-world networks. Some of those phenomena include robust self-organization towards dynamical criticality, formation of complex global topologies based on simple, local rules, and the spontaneous division of "labor" in which an initially homogenous population of network nodes self-organizes into functionally distinct classes. These are just a few. This book is a state-of-the-art survey of those unique networks. In it, leading researchers set out to define the future scope and direction of some of the most advanced developments in the vast field of complex network science and its applications.

Product Description

This book provides a balanced survey of theory and practical aspects of computer-controlled systems. Design methods and practical aspects of computer controlled systems are presented. Interactive use of MATLAB and Simulink macros to understand the theory. Presents extensive pedagogical aids, such asworked examples, MATLAB macros, solutions manual, and problems to facilitate understanding.

Customer Reviews (4)

OK book
I'm a grad student in electrical engineering, and needed to review digital control, so I got this book. This book is fine as a review, but I wouldn't want to learn this material for the first time out of this book. A number of the explanations in the book (especially of the z-transform) were just two poorly done. One of plus of the book, however, was its explanation of implementation issues. This is was nice to see, as it's something that's often glossed over in controls classes.

one of the best control Books out there
I think they have written one of the best control books out there. And besides the authors are most respected in the control engineering community.

Terse.

I first entered engineering school back in 1980. Since college, I have worked in various laboratory environments, both private and Federal. Consequently, I have read many papers and books related to the materials presented in this text. As I look back over the years, I find that this text is the most terse I have ever seen and is entirely inappropriate as an introductory text to the subject.

It is no exaggeration to say that the most important parts of the subject exist in what is *NOT* expressly said in the pages of this book. True, in engineering school one is required to think and solve problems, but this text does not even have enough proper expository to motivate the subject, nor does it have enough problems to properly exercise the mind on the concepts. If one needs so much supplementary material to master the topic, it might be wiser to simply use a better text.

After trying hard to find something to like about this text, I find little...it is terse to the point of being enigmatic.

Please, get a copy from an engineering library before you spend any money on it and judge for yourself.

Review of Astrom and Wittenmark
Astrom Wittenmark's book on Computer Control Systems is a good book for intermediate and experienced people in the field of Computer Control Systems. It is excellent in its contents and coverage of the field as awhole.

What it needs is some details at certain places so that thingswill be easy to comprehend. What I mean is that its not the best book tohave as a first text towards the subject. We used the book as a course textfor advanced controls class. With little control background, I felt it verytough to read the book. But now that I am well versed with the field, Ifind this book handy to keep. ... Read more

Product Description

The Darboux transformation approach is one of the most effective methods for constructing explicit solutions of partial differential equations which are called integrable systems and play important roles in mechanics, physics and differential geometry.

This book presents the Darboux transformations in matrix form and provides purely algebraic algorithms for constructing the explicit solutions. A basis for using symbolic computations to obtain the explicit exact solutions for many integrable systems is established. Moreover, the behavior of simple and multi-solutions, even in multi-dimensional cases, can be elucidated clearly. The method covers a series of important equations such as various kinds of AKNS systems in R¹⁺ⁿ, harmonic maps from 2-dimensional manifolds, self-dual Yang-Mills fields and the generalizations to higher dimensional case, theory of line congruences in three dimensions or higher dimensional space etc. All these cases are explained in detail. This book contains many results that were obtained by the authors in the past few years.

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Customer Reviews (8)

Review
Great book! Very simple to understand and with many exercises to pratice. I recommend it as an introductory study.

Student's review
I used this book for graduate course about Optimal control. It is written in very good style, friendly for everyone who is new to the topic. Optimal control theory seems very difficult in the first view, but this book can help doing the first steps.
The book starts with explaining why optimal control theory is important. Then it builds static optimizing theory. After these simpler parts are clearly explained, the calculus of variations and the dynamic optimization is introduced. The last part is numerical techniques for finding optimal control.
In my opinion this book explains, for example, the deriving of Riccati equation in the best way I have ever read. I can say that I finally understand where Riccati equation comes from. :)
Every section of the book is supported with several examples that help understanding the theory.
I recommend this book for everyone who wants to understand the optimal control theory fundamentals. It is especially suitable for those who are new to the topic.

VERY GOOD
I learned Optimal Control before 30 years and I forgot everything . I tried learn again with my old notebook and lot of files found on the web, but I have got broken knowledge. Now with this book I know Optimal Control even better from the past.

Very good book.
A really good book for introduction to Optimal Control. As a Power System specialist, I acquired a very good comprehension about optimal control using such book.

Very good introduction
A complete introduction to optimal control theory, both from the point of view of dynamic programming and the Pontryagin's maximum principle. Ideal for starters like myself! ... Read more

Product Description
This book treats the central physical concepts and mathematical techniques used to investigate the dynamics of open quantum systems. To provide a self-contained presentation the text begins with a survey of classical probability theory and with an introduction into the foundations of quantum mechanics with particular emphasis on its statistical interpretation. The fundamentals of density matrix theory, quantum Markov processes and dynamical semigroups are developed. The most important master equations used in quantum optics and in the theory of quantum Brownian motion are applied to the study of many examples. Special attention is paid to the theory of environment induced decoherence, its role in the dynamical description of the measurement process and to the experimental observation of decohering Schrodinger cat states. The book includes the modern formulation of open quantum systems in terms of stochastic process in Hilbert space. Stochastic wave function methods and Monte Carlo algorithms are designed and applied to important examples from quantum optics and atomic physics, such as Levy statistics in the laser cooling of atoms, and the damped Jaynes-Cummings model. The basic features of the non-Markovian quantum behavior of open systems are examined on the basis of projection operator techniques. In addition, the book expounds the relativistic theory of quantum measurements and discusses several examples from unified perspective, e.g. non-local measurements and quantum teleportation. Influence functional and super-operator techniques are employed to study the density matrix theory in quantum electrodynamics and applications to the destruction of quantum coherence are presented. The text addressees graduate students and lecturers in physics and applied mathematics, as well as researchers with interests in fundamental questions in quantum mechanics and its applications. Many analytical methods and computer simulation techniques are developed and illustrated with the help of numerous specific examples. Only a basic understanding of quantum mechanics and of elementary concepts of probability theory is assumed. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

a very good book
It's greatly helpful for me in my research. I can learn almost all basic knowledge about open quantum systems from this book. ... Read more

Product Description
This book presents a realist, multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary theory of immediate awareness showing it is the most primitive cognitive network underlying all our natural intelligence. Including preattentive and attention processes, as well as primitive relations of the senses, imagination and memory, immediate awareness is a kind of knowing deeply embedded and interwoven throughout our multiple kinds of natural intelligence. It permits as well as drives our knowing how, our bodily intelligence. Against the Cartesian mind-body split found in earlier and current theories, the author shows how immediate awareness permits emergent properties of mind in multilayered primitive relations of touching and moving in bodily kinesthetic intelligence. Contrary to existing theories, she argues that sensation is not cognitively "neutral", nor does it require a "representation" in order to be accessible to cognitive processes. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Awareness and Its Importance
This book is serious research. Greatly expanding beyond a lot of the consciousness literature, Estep focuses on the scientific evidence to develop a serious theory of human awareness that should be of interest to neuroscientists, surgeons, and ordinary laymen who are sometimes faced with decisions about their own loved ones who may be in comatose or persistent vegetative states. Medical practitioners need to get clear on the parameters of awareness. Estep's work and her extensive research will assist them. Highly recommend this book. ... Read more

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Important text examines most significant algorithms for optimizing large systems and clarifying relations between optimization procedures. Much data appear as charts and graphs and will be highly valuable to readers in selecting a method and estimating computer time and cost in problem-solving. Initial chapter on linear and nonlinear programming presents all necessary background for subjects covered in rest of book. Second chapter illustrates how large-scale mathematical programs arise from real-world problems. Appendixes. List of Symbols.
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Customer Reviews (1)

good value
I needed this book for my course. It is delivered after reasonable time. The fact that it is out of print make some other sellers push the price much higher but I got it at good price. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (3)

Read before buying
I can't comment on the prior reviews given here except to say the my experience with the text is so orthogonal the these opinions that I though I should write a review. If you like your books terse, mathematically precise, rigorous, and without anything resembling hand holding or coaching then by all means this is your book. I have to disagree that there is minimal mathematical preparation required. I would suggest a very rigorous linear algebra background and a working knowledge of state space differential eqn before you try this one. If you are an academic who wants hair splitting precise buildup of the theory then its for you. If you just start grad school and taking first level linear system class I have recommend against this book. Brogan is must have for starters but it could use a little more mathematical rigor and depth. Throw these two books into a blender and you just might have the ideal one. Someone please write a rigorous linear system text that is readable as a stand alone book please. I suggest Brogan update his.

Great!
In contrast of that comments a reader in review of the excellent book "Linear System Theory" by C. T. Chen, a book of linear systems theory five star exists, and this is the book! Reference, textbook, as much for undergraduate as for graduate, definitively, the best!

Great, Useful and Enjoyable
This book serves as an excellent textbook for introductory graduate course in control theory. It is very well written with unambiguous statements and rigorous logic. I found it very enjoyable and was quite amazed by the theory in it. It still serves as a useful handbook to me right now.

Not much background in math/control is required, but some basic knowledge in matrix is helpful. For those who have completely forgotten their freshman-year algebra course, appendices are provided with concise content and useful conclusions. So it does not take long to refresh. ... Read more

Product Description
This book is on applications of game theory. It contains a lot of examples of applications of game theory together with the background of those games considered and a list of unsolved problems. Also we consider only the game where the optimal strategies of the players are found in closed form. For example, the following games are investigated: (a) games of protection of a channel from infiltration of a submarine, (b) the submarine versus helicopter game, (c) the matrix search games, (d) allocation search and economics games, where players face up an alternative either not to come into contest if the cost of efforts seems too high, or come into it, (e) dynamic infiltration games where the infiltrator tries to penetrate zone uncaught, (f) duels and (g) parlour games. ... Read more

Product Description
The book is an overview of the development of basic ideas and mathematical results regarding measures and principles of uncertainty-based information formalized within the framework of classical set theory, probability theory, fuzzy set theory, possibility theory, and the Dempster-Shafer theory of evidence. The book contains many new results, which had until now not been available in a single monograph. The book is very useful for researchers, but it can also be used as a graduate text. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Never by this book
This book is trash, I will never, ever suggest anyone
buying this book! Save your money for the other books.

Interesting and Valuable
a great book for fuzzy field ... Read more

Product Description
In a groundbreaking departure from traditional career counseling texts, authors Wendy Patton and Mary McMahon have developed a comprehensive book that uses General Systems Theory to unify the many approaches to career development. More holistic than a simple theory-by-theory overview, more relevant than any single-theory approach alone, this text not only illuminates this field of study but also advances it. Relevant examples throughout the book help the reader see how career education and career counseling are influenced by research and practice. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Poorly written
Worst book I have ever bought. Have to read it 2 or 3 times to understand the content.

A good book for career theorists and counsellors
The 1990s saw an attempt by many career theorists to integrate existing major theories of career into a unified theory, which proved to be a nearly impossible undertaking.Patton and McMahon's System Theory Framework is another recent attempt at convergence.Their approach is technically not a "theory" since it doesn't really predict anything; however, it does provide an extensive conceptual framework in which existing career theories can be placed, and the links between them examined.Their book gives a comprehensive description of their Systems Theory model, and how it was derived from previous career theories and systems theory literature.

The first part of the book deals with existing career theories, and provides a well-written and comprehensive review of the major approaches of the past century, from the trait and factor theories of Parsons and Holland to the more recent social-cognitive, contextual and "post-modern" approaches to career development.The features of each theory are described briefly (but without too much oversimplification), and are compared and contrasted with those of other theories.

Highlighting the absence of plausible influences on career development in existing theories sets the stage for the second part of the book, which describes how the Systems Theory was developed from the authors' earlier work on adolescent decision-making.The book then goes on to describe the actual framework, which conceives the individual as the central system, encompassing many subordinate systems (including differential factors such as interests, skills, values, age, etc.), and surrounded by systems representing contextual influences (e.g. the family, educational institutions, the employment market, etc.).The inclusion of each career influence and its assignment to a particular system is justified in light of previous theories and the authors' speculation about its probable importance.

In the third part of the book, the changing work environment and the implications of systems theory for career counselling and education are discussed.Particularly interesting is its challenge to career counsellors' traditional approach of assessing clients and decreeing what kind of job would be most suitable for them.Instead, Systems Theory emphasises a partnership between the counsellor and client.Counsellors (or career development facilitators as they are termed in the book) are encouraged to help their clients see themselves as active lifelong learners, to become prepared for workplace change, to view their entire life from a systems perspective, and to use this understanding to prompt a creative and dynamic exchange with counsellors to facilitate their career development.

One problem I had with the book was that, although it provides a very extensive taxonomy of possible influences on career development, it does not really show how these are connected; it simply conceptualises them as open systems that may, or may not, be permeated and influenced by other systems.I would also question the placement of certain elements in particular systems.For example, gender and values are placed in the individual's system, but it could be argued they should be also represented in the external systems given that both can also be regarded as socially constructed and ascribed.

In spite of these criticisms, I still regard Career Development and Systems Theory to be an extremely stimulating, informative, and significant text, in bringing together existing career formulations and discussing how career practice might be improved.It seems to be targeted primarily towards an academic audience (and will no doubt stimulate a great deal of thinking and subsequent research), but would probably also be of interest to career advisors, teaching professionals and students of this field. ... Read more