Discrete Gauge Theory

Discrete Gauge Theory
Author: Robert Oeckl
Publisher: Imperial College Press
Total Pages: 218
Release: 2005
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1860947379

This book provides an introduction to topological quantum field theory as well as discrete gauge theory with quantum groups. In contrast to much of the existing literature, the present approach is at the same time intuitive and mathematically rigorous, making extensive use of suitable diagrammatic methods. It provides a highly unified description of lattice gauge theory, topological quantum field theory and models of quantum (super)gravity. The reader is thus in a unique position to understand the relations between these subjects as well as the underlying groundwork.

Finite-Temperature Field Theory

Finite-Temperature Field Theory
Author: Joseph I. Kapusta
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 441
Release: 2006-08-03
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1139457624

The 2006 second edition of this book develops the basic formalism and theoretical techniques for studying relativistic quantum field theory at high temperature and density. Specific physical theories treated include QED, QCD, electroweak theory, and effective nuclear field theories of hadronic and nuclear matter. Topics include: functional integral representation of the partition function, diagrammatic expansions, linear response theory, screening and plasma oscillations, spontaneous symmetry breaking, Goldstone theorem, resummation and hard thermal loops, lattice gauge theory, phase transitions, nucleation theory, quark-gluon plasma, and color superconductivity. Applications to astrophysics and cosmology cover white dwarf and neutron stars, neutrino emissivity, baryon number violation in the early universe, and cosmological phase transitions. Applications to relativistic nucleus-nucleus collisions are also included. The book is written for theorists in elementary particle physics, nuclear physics, astrophysics, and cosmology. Problems are given at the end of each chapter, and numerous references to the literature are included.

Boundary Conformal Field Theory and the Worldsheet Approach to D-Branes

Boundary Conformal Field Theory and the Worldsheet Approach to D-Branes
Author: Andreas Recknagel
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 349
Release: 2013-11-28
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1107511801

Boundary conformal field theory is concerned with a class of two-dimensional quantum field theories which display a rich mathematical structure and have many applications ranging from string theory to condensed matter physics. In particular, the framework allows discussion of strings and branes directly at the quantum level. Written by internationally renowned experts, this comprehensive introduction to boundary conformal field theory reaches from theoretical foundations to recent developments, with an emphasis on the algebraic treatment of string backgrounds. Topics covered include basic concepts in conformal field theory with and without boundaries, the mathematical description of strings and D-branes, and the geometry of strongly curved spacetime. The book offers insights into string geometry that go beyond classical notions. Describing the theory from basic concepts, and providing numerous worked examples from conformal field theory and string theory, this reference is of interest to graduate students and researchers in physics and mathematics.

Conformal Methods in General Relativity

Conformal Methods in General Relativity
Author: Juan A. Valiente Kroon
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 627
Release: 2023-01-31
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1009291343

This 2016 volume, now reissued as OA, shows how conformal methods can be used to study Einstein's theory of gravity.

Topological and Non-Topological Solitons in Scalar Field Theories

Topological and Non-Topological Solitons in Scalar Field Theories
Author: Yakov M. Shnir
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 281
Release: 2018-07-26
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1108429912

An introduction to integrable and non-integrable scalar field models, with topological and non-topological soliton solutions. Focusing on both topological and non-topological solitons, this book brings together discussion of solitary waves and construction of soliton solutions and provides a discussion of solitons using simple model examples.

Nonequilibrium Quantum Field Theory

Nonequilibrium Quantum Field Theory
Author: Esteban A. Calzetta
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 553
Release: 2023-01-31
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1009289985

This 2008 book, reissued as OA, captures the essence of nonequilibrium quantum field theory, graduate students and researchers.

Noether Symmetries in Theories of Gravity

Noether Symmetries in Theories of Gravity
Author: Francesco Bajardi
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 451
Release: 2022-11-30
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1009208748

This volume summarizes the many modified theories of gravity and shows how to select physically viable models using symmetry principles.

The Theory and Applications of Instanton Calculations

The Theory and Applications of Instanton Calculations
Author: Manu Paranjape
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 325
Release: 2017-11-16
Genre: Science
ISBN: 110854763X

Instantons, or pseudoparticles, are solutions to the equations of motion in classical field theories on a Euclidean spacetime. Instantons are found everywhere in quantum theories as they have many applications in quantum tunnelling. Diverse physical phenomena may be described through quantum tunnelling, for example: the Josephson effect, the decay of meta-stable nuclear states, band formation in tight binding models of crystalline solids, the structure of the gauge theory vacuum, confinement in 2+1 dimensions, and the decay of superheated or supercooled phases. Drawing inspiration from Sidney Coleman's Erice lectures, this volume provides an accessible, detailed introduction to instanton methods, with many applications, making it a valuable resource for graduate students in many areas of physics, from condensed matter, particle and nuclear physics, to string theory.

Hamiltonian Mechanics of Gauge Systems

Hamiltonian Mechanics of Gauge Systems
Author: Lev V. Prokhorov
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 485
Release: 2011-09-22
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1139500902

The principles of gauge symmetry and quantization are fundamental to modern understanding of the laws of electromagnetism, weak and strong subatomic forces and the theory of general relativity. Ideal for graduate students and researchers in theoretical and mathematical physics, this unique book provides a systematic introduction to Hamiltonian mechanics of systems with gauge symmetry. The book reveals how gauge symmetry may lead to a non-trivial geometry of the physical phase space and studies its effect on quantum dynamics by path integral methods. It also covers aspects of Hamiltonian path integral formalism in detail, along with a number of related topics such as the theory of canonical transformations on phase space supermanifolds, non-commutativity of canonical quantization and elimination of non-physical variables. The discussion is accompanied by numerous detailed examples of dynamical models with gauge symmetries, clearly illustrating the key concepts.