The formation and logic of quantum mechanics. Transl. from the Japanese and with explanatory notes by Masayuki Nagasaki. II: The way to quantum mechanics (Q2781753)

Whereas the first volume (2001; Zbl 1089.81003) was written by the first author up to some explanatory notes at the end of the volume, the second and third volume is written by both authors and the first edition in Japanese appeared in 1990, and 1992, respectively. NEWLINENEWLINEEach chapter of the 2nd volume is endowed with a time table showing in blocks cornerstones of the discoveries in consideration and also a kind of abstract. The first chapter describes the difficulties to integrate Planck's and Einstein's discoveries compatibly with other laws into physics. Especially the problems of specific heat and thermal equilibrium as well as the common particle and wave nature of light are considered. The second chapter is concerned with quantization of action and angular momenta in atomic models. The development is described until the Bohr postulates. Sommerfeld's quantum conditions, the multiplicity of spectral lines, transition probabilities, and Bohr's correspondence principle are considered in chapter three. The fourth chapter contains the completion of the explanation of the atomic spectra including the role of the spin, the anomalous Zeeman effect, the shell structure, and the exclusion principle as it was known just before the breakthrough to matrix and wave mechanics in 1925. The final fifth chapter is devoted to the interconnection of wave and particle natures. It contains the hypothesis of de Broglie and its confirmation, Bose-Einstein statistic, Compton-Simon's experiment, and the theory of light dispersion. this volume describes the development of quantum theory up to the state of art before Heisenberg, Born and Jordan at one side as well as Schrödinger at the other laid the foundation-stone of modern quantum theory in 1925. NEWLINENEWLINEIt is as thoroughly written as the first volume and it is fascinating to read.NEWLINENEWLINE[For the 3rd volume see (2001; Zbl 1089.81004).]