This textbook presents an up to date  perspective on the fundamental elements of theoretical physics. It encompasses analytical mechanics, thermodynamics and statistical physics, special and general relativity, and non-relativistic quantum theory, thoroughly developing the necessary mathematical methods beyond standard calculus while striving to be as clear, explicit, and direct as possible. The exposition of the theory, both in the classical and quantum parts, is expanded and reworked compared to the first edition. In parallel with the formalism, which is explained in full detail,  several more experimental phenomena and techniques are included and discussed. Throughout, the emphasis is on the physical meaning of the theory, that is, the precise way in which the necessary experimental verification occurs or might occur in the future. With its comprehensive approach, rigorous mathematical treatments, and clear, physically oriented explanations of  principles and experiments, this textbook is an essential resource for advanced undergraduate and graduate students of physics, as well as a valuable reference for researchers.

This book presents the basic elements of theoretical physics in a highly accessible, captivating way for university students in the third year of a degree in physics.  It covers analytical mechanics, thermodynamics and statistical physics, special and general relativity and non-relativistic quantum theory, fully developing the necessary mathematical methods beyond standard calculus. 

The central theme is scientific curiosity and the main focus is on the experimental meaning of all quantities and equations. Several recent verifications of General Relativity are presented, with emphasis on the physical effects – why they were predicted to exist and what signals they were seen to produce.  Similarly, the basic reasons why superconductors have zero resistance and are perfect diamagnets are pinpointed. Quantum Eraser Experiments and Delayed Choice Experiments are described. Many statements of Quantum Theory are a challenge to common sense and some crucial predictionshave often been considered hard to believe and have been tested experimentally. The book examines the EPR paradox, Bell states and teleportation.

To show the beauty and richness of the subject, various topics from different areas of Physics are covered. These include: discrete quantum models and lattices (periodic and not), Casimir effect, Anyons,  Fano Resonances, the Hanbury Brown and Twiss effect, the  Aharonov-Bohm effect, the Meitner-Auger effect, Squeezed Light, the Rabi model, neutrino oscillations,  aspects of Quantum Transport, Quantum Pumping, and Berry phases, black holes and cosmological problems.

This book provides course material in theoretical physics intended for undergraduate and graduate students specializing in condensed matter. The book derives from teaching activity, offering readable and mathematical treatments explained in sufficient detail to be followed easily. The main emphasis is always on the physical meaning and applicability of the results. Many examples are provided for illustration; these also serve as worked problems.

Discussion extends to atomic physics, relativistic quantum mechanics, elementary QED, electron spectroscopy, nonlinear optics, and various aspects of the many-body problem. Methods such as group representation theory, Green’s functions, the Keldysh formalism and recursion techniques were also imparted.

Le idee e le tecniche della Fisica Teorica del XX secolo (meccanica analitica, meccanica statistica, relatività e meccanica quantistica non relativistica) non sono più appannaggio esclusivo dei fisici. Ormai, specialmente con la recente introduzione di nuovi corsi di laurea, le conoscenze di base rientrano nel bagaglio culturale comune ai laureati in materie scientifiche e tecnologiche affini alla Fisica e alle sue applicazioni.

La trattazione in questo libro, è meno formale rispetto ai tradizionali corsi di Istituzioni di Fisica Teorica. Lo scopo è comunque quello di raggiungere una reale comprensione dei concetti fisici e una capacità di risolvere autonomamente problemi. Lo stile è discorsivo, con abbondanza di esempi, l’esposizione di tutti i passaggi importanti è dettagliata, rispondendo in anticipo a tutte le domande che solitamente pongono gli allievi. L’autore ha dato spazio a sviluppi recenti e interessanti, come il microscopio a tunnel e la criptografia quantistica. Ha cercato di spiegare sempre le motivazioni delle manipolazioni matematiche, e il significato fisico di tutte le grandezze misurabili. Soprattutto, ha sottolineato gli aspetti che fanno della Fisica Teorica una scienza piena di risvolti pratici e insieme una avventura intellettuale particolarmente affascinante.

This textbook is the result of many years of teaching quantum and statistical mechanics, drawing on exercises and exam papers used on courses taught by the authors. The subjects of the exercises have been carefully selected to cover all the material which is most needed by students. 

Each exercise is carefully solved in full details, explaining the theory behind the solution with particular care for those issues that students often find difficult, or which are often neglected in other books on the subject. The exercises in this book never require extensive calculations  but tend to be somewhat unusual  and force the solver  to think about the problem starting from first principles, rather than by analogy with some previously solved exercise.

This textbook presents an up to date  perspective on the fundamental elements of theoretical physics. It encompasses analytical mechanics, thermodynamics and statistical physics, special and general relativity, and non-relativistic quantum theory, thoroughly developing the necessary mathematical methods beyond standard calculus while striving to be as clear, explicit, and direct as possible. The exposition of the theory, both in the classical and quantum parts, is expanded and reworked compared to the first edition. In parallel with the formalism, which is explained in full detail,  several more experimental phenomena and techniques are included and discussed. Throughout, the emphasis is on the physical meaning of the theory, that is, the precise way in which the necessary experimental verification occurs or might occur in the future. With its comprehensive approach, rigorous mathematical treatments, and clear, physically oriented explanations of  principles and experiments, this textbook is an essential resource for advanced undergraduate and graduate students of physics, as well as a valuable reference for researchers.

This book presents the basic elements of theoretical physics in a highly accessible, captivating way for university students in the third year of a degree in physics.  It covers analytical mechanics, thermodynamics and statistical physics, special and general relativity and non-relativistic quantum theory, fully developing the necessary mathematical methods beyond standard calculus. 

The central theme is scientific curiosity and the main focus is on the experimental meaning of all quantities and equations. Several recent verifications of General Relativity are presented, with emphasis on the physical effects – why they were predicted to exist and what signals they were seen to produce.  Similarly, the basic reasons why superconductors have zero resistance and are perfect diamagnets are pinpointed. Quantum Eraser Experiments and Delayed Choice Experiments are described. Many statements of Quantum Theory are a challenge to common sense and some crucial predictionshave often been considered hard to believe and have been tested experimentally. The book examines the EPR paradox, Bell states and teleportation.

To show the beauty and richness of the subject, various topics from different areas of Physics are covered. These include: discrete quantum models and lattices (periodic and not), Casimir effect, Anyons,  Fano Resonances, the Hanbury Brown and Twiss effect, the  Aharonov-Bohm effect, the Meitner-Auger effect, Squeezed Light, the Rabi model, neutrino oscillations,  aspects of Quantum Transport, Quantum Pumping, and Berry phases, black holes and cosmological problems.

This book provides course material in theoretical physics intended for undergraduate and graduate students specializing in condensed matter. The book derives from teaching activity, offering readable and mathematical treatments explained in sufficient detail to be followed easily. The main emphasis is always on the physical meaning and applicability of the results. Many examples are provided for illustration; these also serve as worked problems.

Discussion extends to atomic physics, relativistic quantum mechanics, elementary QED, electron spectroscopy, nonlinear optics, and various aspects of the many-body problem. Methods such as group representation theory, Green’s functions, the Keldysh formalism and recursion techniques were also imparted.

Le idee e le tecniche della Fisica Teorica del XX secolo (meccanica analitica, meccanica statistica, relatività e meccanica quantistica non relativistica) non sono più appannaggio esclusivo dei fisici. Ormai, specialmente con la recente introduzione di nuovi corsi di laurea, le conoscenze di base rientrano nel bagaglio culturale comune ai laureati in materie scientifiche e tecnologiche affini alla Fisica e alle sue applicazioni.

La trattazione in questo libro, è meno formale rispetto ai tradizionali corsi di Istituzioni di Fisica Teorica. Lo scopo è comunque quello di raggiungere una reale comprensione dei concetti fisici e una capacità di risolvere autonomamente problemi. Lo stile è discorsivo, con abbondanza di esempi, l’esposizione di tutti i passaggi importanti è dettagliata, rispondendo in anticipo a tutte le domande che solitamente pongono gli allievi. L’autore ha dato spazio a sviluppi recenti e interessanti, come il microscopio a tunnel e la criptografia quantistica. Ha cercato di spiegare sempre le motivazioni delle manipolazioni matematiche, e il significato fisico di tutte le grandezze misurabili. Soprattutto, ha sottolineato gli aspetti che fanno della Fisica Teorica una scienza piena di risvolti pratici e insieme una avventura intellettuale particolarmente affascinante.

This textbook is the result of many years of teaching quantum and statistical mechanics, drawing on exercises and exam papers used on courses taught by the authors. The subjects of the exercises have been carefully selected to cover all the material which is most needed by students. 

Each exercise is carefully solved in full details, explaining the theory behind the solution with particular care for those issues that students often find difficult, or which are often neglected in other books on the subject. The exercises in this book never require extensive calculations  but tend to be somewhat unusual  and force the solver  to think about the problem starting from first principles, rather than by analogy with some previously solved exercise.