The Secret Life of Quanta

Rating:
Summary: What's so secret, anyway?
Review: The Secret Life of Quanta gives an elementary, sometimes superficial, explanation of particle physics. Needless to say, anyone already knowledgeable on physics would be wasting her money on this book, but true novices would appreciate the basic content and easily read style. It is also important to note that although The Secret Life of Quanta claims to be about quantum physics, it bypasses such major topics as particle-wave duality, the uncertainty principle, wave equations, and the EPR paradox. Heisenberg, Schrodinger, de Broglie, Dirac, Pauli, and Born are treated in one sentence: something like "These were some physicists." Instead, Han limits quantum physics to Planck's theory of quanta (discrete packets of energy).

The first chapters of The Secret Life of Quanta provide introductory (high-school level or earlier) information on atomic structure and light. (Although leaving out much of quantum physics, the explanation includes electron configurations, which is unusual to find in such a book.) Subsequent chapters set the Secret Life of Quanta apart from most other books of its genre; they explain the relevance of these facets of physics in modern technology. (Modern, in this case, means 1990, antiquated for a book about technology; however, this book's simplicity saves it from being too outdated.) Other books tend to shy away from practicality and concentrate on recondite theories that might leave the reader thinking, "So? What good is this?" If popular accounts of quantum physics mention any applications, they are usually teleportation and/or quantum computers. I find these concepts fascinating, but developments in the fields are still in their nascent stages. The Secret Life of Quanta, on the other hand, explains technologies that are, for the most part, already applied and common--fiberoptics, microprocessors, lasers, superconductors, and nuclear technologies (e.g. MRI). While this book is sufficient for one wanting an overview of quantum physics-related technologies and the fundamentals behind them, those desiring a deeper explanation should look for books specific to given areas. (For example, Superconductivity: The Next Revolution by Gianfranco Vidali gives a more clear and complete explanation in that field.)

I certainly recommend this book to non-scientists who have pondered the previously mentioned technologies or who would like an introduction to particle physics. However, for those wanting to learn about quantum physics as it is generally known, I suggest looking elsewhere, such as John Gribbin's Schrodinger's Kittens.

Rating:
Summary: A semi-popular introduction to the impact of quanta
Review: This book's motivation is very relevant. It introduces to user of modren technology ( computer, TV) the basic concepts of quantum mechanics and how it led to various modern technologies. There is no mathematics. But the book has a lot of interesting figures, which try to address of the technical issues. The author avoids all the paradoxes and philosophical issues of qunatum theory. The author introduces basic aspects of atoms. The author emphasis on the aspect of energy levels of electron shells. This is key aspect around which he discusses all the technology or its implications ( like laser, superconductor) or molecular systems. The seventh chapter deals with the core of computer. Better placing to the chapter whould have been between 10 & 11. Chpaters on lasers and superconductors are well written with some example of application, with photos. An photograph of aerial view of Fermi national Acelerator laboratory is given. There are such photographs which enhances the appreciation. The author also give a typical layout of a synchrotron. He does such balancing in his presentation. One warning: By Qunata, he primarily refers to Max Planck's concept of discrete energy levels. ( none of the issues like wave-particle duality, uncertainty principle). Given this nature of his presentation, 11 th chapter is on Nucleons, quarks, all that. ( It is out of place with the kind of theme and the level of focus). There is a good glossary. ( The book is written on 1990). May be a modern version will talk about quantum computer.