Physics and Probability: Essays in Honor of Edwin T. Jaynes
Cambridge University Press
Edition: New Ed, 8/21/2008
EAN 9780521617109, ISBN10: 0521617103
Paperback, 296 pages, 24.6 x 18.9 x 1.7 cm
Language: English
The pioneering work of Edwin T. Jaynes in the field of statistical physics, quantum optics, and probability theory has had a significant and lasting effect on the study of many physical problems, ranging from fundamental theoretical questions through to practical applications such as optical image restoration. Physics and Probability is a collection of papers in these areas by some of his many colleagues and former students, based largely on lectures given at a symposium celebrating Jaynes' contributions, on the occasion of his seventieth birthday and retirement as Wayman Crow Professor of Physics at Washington University. The collection contains several authoritative overviews of current research on maximum entropy and quantum optics, where Jaynes' work has been particularly influential, as well as reports on a number of related topics. In the concluding paper, Jaynes looks back over his career, and gives encouragement and sound advice to young scientists. All those engaged in research on any of the topics discussed in these papers will find this a useful and fascinating collection, and a fitting tribute to an outstanding and innovative scientist.
Preface
1. Recollection of an independent thinker Joel A. Snow
2. A look back
early applications of maximum entropy estimation to quantum statistical mechanics D. J. Scalapino
3. The Jaynes-Cummings revival B. W. Shore and P. L. Knight
4. The Jaynes-Cummings model and the one-atom-master H. Walther
5. The Jaynes-Cummings model is alive and well P. Meystre
6. Self-consistent radiation reaction in quantum optics - Jaynes' influence and a new example in cavity QED J. H. Eberly
7. Enhancing the index of refraction in a nonabsorbing medium
phaseonium versus a mixture of two-level atoms M. O. Scully, T. W. Hänsch, M. Fleischhauer, C. H. Keitel and Shi-Yao Zhu
8. Ed Jaynes' steak dinner problem II Michael D. Crisp
9. Source theory of vacuum field effects Peter W. Milonni
10. The natural line shape Edwin A. Power
11. An operational approach to Schrödinger's cat L. Mandel
12. The classical limit of an atom C. R. Stroud, Jr.
13. Mutual radiation reaction in spontaneous emission Richard J. Cook
14. A model of neutron star dynamics F. W. Cummings
15. The kinematic origin of complex wave function David Hestenes
16. On radar target identification C. Ray Smith
17. On the difference in means G. Larry Bretthorst
18. Bayesian analysis, model selection and prediction Arnold Zellner and Chung-ki Min
19. Bayesian numerical analysis John Skilling
20. Quantum statistical inference R. N. Silver
21. Application of the maximum entropy principle to nonlinear systems far from equilibrium H. Haken
22. Nonequilibrium statistical mechanics Baldwin Robertson
23. A backward look to the future E. T. James
Appendix. Vita and bibliography of Edwin T. Jaynes
Index.