Introduction to nuclear and particle physics (Q1791302)

This book is just a new addition to the myriad of textbooks in elementary nuclear and particle physics. The ambition was to cover wide regions of these two branches of modern physics in 190 pages. Consequently basic elements of quantum mechanics such as Planck constant, de Broglie wavelength, uncertainty relations and spin are expedited in 13 pages. Instead more elaborate concepts of quantum mechanics such as matrix elements (expectations, transitions), angular momentum, scattering theory are introduced in later chapters without a preparatory discussion on wave functions. In many occasions the author engage in details which are not suitable for the length of the book and the level expected from the reader, e.g. the material on group theory (Sections 2.6, 6.15 and 6.16), derivation of matrix elements in the Born approximation (Section 6.3), etc. Some topics are rediscussed throughout the book. For example there is a chapter dedicated to radioactive decays (Chapter 4), where the alpha-decay of heavy nuclei is introduced, but later on the reader is confronted in Chapter 7 with the a discussion of the Gamow model of this process. The book is equipped with many illustrative figures that serve well the text.