Grandy W.T., Milonni P.W. (Eds.) Physics and Probability: Essays in Honor of Edwin T. Jaynes

Cambridge University Press, 1993. — 298 p. — ISBN: 0521434718, 0521617103The 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.Recollections of an Independent Thinker
A Look Back: Early Applications of Maximum Entropy Estimation to Quantum Statistical Mechanics
The Jaynes-Cummings Revival
The Jaynes-Cummings Model and the One-Atom-Maser
The Jaynes-Cummings Model is Alive and Well
Self-Consistent Radiation Reaction in Quantum Optics - Jaynes' Influence and a New Example in Cavity QED
Enhancing the Index of Refraction in a Nonabsorbing Medium: Phaseonium Versus a Mixture of Two-Level Atoms
Ed Jaynes' Steak Dinner Problem II
Source Theory of Vacuum Field Effects
The Natural Line Shape
An Operational Approach to Schrodinger's Cat
The Classical Limit of an Atom
Mutual Radiation Reaction in Spontaneous Emission
A Model of Neutron Star Dynamics
The Kinematic Origin of Complex Wave Functions
On Radar Target Identification
On the Difference in Means
Bayesian Analysis, Model Selection and Prediction
Bayesian Numerical Analysis
Quantum Statistical Inference
Application of the Maximum Entropy Principle to Nonlinear Systems Far from Equilibrium
Nonequilibrium Statistical Mechanics
A Backward Look to the Future
Appendix: Vita and Bibliography of Edwin T. Jaynes