Quantum Astronomy

中文说明

Preface

I am writing this book because I want to learn quantum astronomy.

At first I looked for a textbook that began with observations: real astronomical data first, then coherence functions, photon statistics, quantum estimation, and instrumental limits introduced as the data demanded them. I did not find that book. The relevant material certainly exists, and many papers and monographs are excellent, but the subject is scattered across statistical optics, quantum optics, interferometry, high-energy astrophysics, cosmology, and quantum information.

So I decided to write the book myself, and to treat the writing as part of the learning. The book is still being revised because I am still learning.

Yu Wang
July 2026

Downloads

• Web book: https://book.quantum-astronomy.ywang.science
• English PDF: https://github.com/YWangScience/quantum-astronomy/releases/latest/download/quantum-astronomy-en.pdf
• Chinese PDF: https://github.com/YWangScience/quantum-astronomy/releases/latest/download/quantum-astronomy-cn.pdf
• Latest release: https://github.com/YWangScience/quantum-astronomy/releases/latest

Table of Contents

• Preface

Part I: Foundations, Definitions, and Observables

• Chapter 1. Mathematical and Physical Foundations
• Chapter 2. Why quantum astronomy is needed
• Chapter 3. Foundations of quantum optics
• Chapter 4. Photon statistics and coherence functions

Part II: Instruments, Intensity Interferometry, and Information Limits

• Chapter 5. Spatial coherence and intensity interferometry
• Chapter 6. Detectors, clocks, and event tables
• Chapter 7. Data analysis for event tables
• Chapter 8. Quantum estimation and sub-resolution information

Part III: The Quantum Language of Astrophysical Light

• Chapter 9. Astrophysical radiation mechanisms
• Chapter 10. Stars as quantum light sources
• Chapter 11. Compact stars and strong fields
• Chapter 12. Black holes and photon rings
• Chapter 13. Transients and multi-messenger astronomy

Part IV: Propagation, Cosmology, New Physics, and Quantum Networks

• Chapter 14. Propagation effects
• Chapter 15. Dark matter and polarization channels
• Chapter 16. Quantum questions in cosmology
• Chapter 17. Quantum network telescopes

Part V: Observing Design, Case Studies, Teaching, and Roadmap

• Chapter 18. Observing design and error budgets
• Chapter 19. First-generation science cases
• Chapter 20. Teaching and computational experiments
• Chapter 21. Common pitfalls
• Chapter 22. From white paper to research plan

Appendices

• Appendix A. Index of Frequently Used Formulas
• Appendix B. Common Units and Numerical Scales
• Appendix C. Glossary
• Appendix D. Reading Routes and Validity Boundaries for Core Relations
• Appendix E. Guide to the Example Computational Code
• Appendix F. Suggested 14-Week Course Plan
• Appendix G. Reading Guide