Towards 100-th Anniversary of Quantum Mechanics


A.L. Tchougréeff


A.N. Frumkin Institute of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry of RAS



Abstract:

In 1925 by seminal papers [1-3] on matrix mechanics accompanied in 1926 by [4] on wave mechanics and followed by [5] gave birth to the quantum mechanics as we know it. Immediately after that, its wave (Schrödinger) form heavily relying on the wave function ψ has been applied to chemistry in [6] giving birth to quantum chemistry. Since then, the development was extremely intense so that some important details disappeared from studies curricula, particularly from those of chemistry students. Specifically, the principle of superposition of the wave functions is not sufficiently highlighted, whereas it is the key difference from the classical picture – it is responsible for the non-Kolmogorovian character of the quantum probability with its fundamentally important consequences: the covalency, “resonance” etc. These topics remain points of discussion until now, particularly on the discipline borders, e.g. between quantum theory and crystallography. In the present lecture we address and try to clarify these issues. Also the relation of the the quantum measurement theory and Blokhintsev’s (ensemble) interpretation [7] to chemistry are briefly discussed.

References

  1. W. Heisenberg, Über quantentheoretische Umdeutung kinematischer und mechanischer Beziehungen, Z. Physik, 33, 879-893, 1925 (recd July 29, 1925).
  2. M. Born, P. Jordan, Zur Quantenmechanik, Z. Physik, 34, 858-888, 1925 (recd Sept. 27, 1925).
  3. M. Born, W. Heisenberg, P. Jordan, Zur Quantenmechanik II, Z. Physik, 35, 557-615, 1926 (recd Nov. 16, 1925).
  4. E. Schrödinger, Quantisierung als Eigenwertproblem. Ann. Physik. Bd. 79, 1926, S. 361, 489; Bd. 80, 1926, S. 437; und Bd. 81, 1926, S.109.
  5. M. Born. Zur Quantenmechanik der Stoßvorgänge. Z. Physik. 37, 1926, 863-867.
  6. W. Heitler, F. London. Wechselwirkung neutraler Atome und homöopolare Bindung nach der Quantenmechanik. Z. Physik, 1927, 44, 455.
  7. Блохинцев Д.И. Квантовая механика (лекции по избранным вопросам). 1981; Блохинцев Д.И. Принципиальные вопросы квантовой механики. 2-е изд. - М.: Наука, 1987.