Structure of dynamical systems. A symplectic view of physics. Transl. from the French by C. H. Cushman-de Vries. Transl. ed.: R. H. Cushman a. G. M. Tuynman (Q1370065)

The book under review is the English version of classical book [Structure des systèmes dynamiques, Paris, Dunod (1970; Zbl 0186.58001)]. The aim of the book is to present three basic theories of physics, namely, classical (and relativistic) mechanics, statistical mechanics and quantum mechanics from a unified point of view, namely by using the symplectic geometry. In this way the book gives a better perspective of relationships between these three fundamental branches of physics. The book consists of five chapters. The first two chapters present the necessary differential geometric background: manifolds, foliations, Lie groups and the symplectic geometry. Chapter III describes a symplectic approach to Galilean and relativistic mechanics. The core of this chapter is a classification of elementary particles (relativistic and nonrelativistic, with or without spin, and with or without mass). The next chapter is devoted to a symplectic description of statistical mechanics employing the language of measure theory; its main purpose is to develop the kinetic theory of gases. It also includes a computation of specific heat. The last chapter introduces the method of geometric quantization, culminating with the derivation of various wave equations and the construction of the Fock space. With this approach, J.-M. Souriau together with B. Konstant can be called as one of the founders of geometric quantization theory. We also remark the contribution of editors, especially their footnotes and the addition to the bibliography of some important titles which appeared after the seventies. The book is very useful to all those interested in the quantization theory and its applications.