Constructing Reality:
Quantum Theory and Particle Physics
John Marburger
Cambridge University Press, 2011; $29.00 (paperback).
MID-IR Focusing Object Ad_Layout 3 11/5/10 10:01 AM Page 1
Written in the genre of Lederman and Hill’s Quantum Physics for Poets, the late Marburger’s book
is another welcome gem. It is aimed at students, lay people, researchers and policymakers who are
deeply interested in quantum field theory, relativity theory and particle physics but do not work in
those fields.
The purpose of this book is to explain modern physics, particularly quantum theory and the standard model of particles, in a physically correct but nonmathematical way that is easy to digest. The
mathematical and physical details are presented in notes and annotated references following each
chapter. There is a strong emphasis on symmetry in physics. Marburger, a particle physicist, former
science adviser to the president and former director of Brookhaven National Laboratory, succeeds in
communicating his message with the use of lucid diagrams and a stimulating description of particle
discovery machinery and the standard model. Read this book!
Review by Barry R. Masters, Fellow of AAAS, OSA and SPIE. He is with the department of biological engineering
at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Mass., U.S.A.
The opinions expressed in the book review section are those of the reviewer and do not necessarily reflect those
of OPN or OSA.
NEW PRODUCT! MID-IR FOCUSING OBJECTIVES 2µ ; m -12µm
In stock for immediate delivery
• Diffraction limited focal spot
• ZnSe micro-aspheric
• AR-AR at Mid-IR ;’s
• Easy alignment using HeNe
• Standard RMS or 1''plate
62 Depot St., Verona, NJ 07044
ph: 973-857-8380 / fx: 973-857-8381
www.innpho.com / info@innpho.com
54 | OPN Optics & Photonics News
www.osa-opn.org
