This book introduces the quantum theory of angular momentum to students who are unfamiliar with it and develops it to a stage useful for research. The first part contains the basic theory of rotations and angular momentum. As the book aims to emphasize applications, mathematical details are avoided and difficult theorems stated without proof. The second part contains examples of applications to a wide range of physical phenomena and presents a collection of results helpful in solving problems.

1. Symmetry in physical laws 2. Representations of the rotation group 3. Coupling angular momentum vectors, and transformation theory 4. Tensors and tensor operators 5. Matrix elements of tensor operators 6. Applications to physical systems 7. Graphical methods in angular momentum Appendix i. 3-j and Clebsch-Gordan coefficients ii. 6-j symbols, Racah coefficients iii. 9-j Symbols or X-coefficients iv. Spherical harmonics v. Rotation matrix elements vi. Tensors and their matrix elements References and author index vii. Asymptotic expressions for large angular momenta and classical limits Subject index

D. M. Brink , formerly Reader in Physics, Oxford University; Department of Physics, University of Trento, Italy, G. R. Satchler , Distinguished Research Staff Member, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Tennessee

`the text is clearly written and well comprehensible.' Institute of Physics Publishing Journal, October 1994 |d 14/08/1995