Field theory [[electronic resource] ] : a path integral approach / / Ashok Das

• Record Nr.: UNINA9910782499303321
• Autore: Das Ashok <1953->
• Pubbl/distr/stampa: Singapore ; ; River Edge, NJ, : World Scientific, c2006
• ISBN: 1-281-92465-2; 9786611924652; 981-277-326-6
• Edizione: [2nd ed.]
• Descrizione fisica: 1 online resource (377 p.)
• Collana: World Scientific lecture notes in physics ; ; v. 75
• Disciplina: 530.12; 530.14/3; 530.143
• Soggetti: Path integrals; Quantum field theory
• Lingua di pubblicazione: Inglese
• Formato: Materiale a stampa
• Livello bibliografico: Monografia
• Note generali: Description based upon print version of record.
• Nota di bibliografia: Includes bibliographical references and index.
• Nota di contenuto: Preface to the First Edition; Preface to the Second Edition; Contents; 1. Introduction; 1.1 Particles and Fields; 1.2 Metric and Other Notations; 1.3 Functionals; 1.4 Review of Quantum Mechanics; 1.5 References; 2. Path Integrals and Quantum Mechanics; 2.1 Basis States; 2.2 Operator Ordering; 2.3 The Classical Limit; 2.4 Equivalence with the Schrodinger Equation; 2.5 Free Particle; 2.6 References; 3. Harmonic Oscillator; 3.1 Path Integral for the Harmonic Oscillator; 3.2 Method of Fourier Transform; 3.3 Matrix Method; 3.4 The Classical Action; 3.5 References; 4. Generating Functional; 4.1 Euclidean Rotation4.2 Time Ordered Correlation Functions; 4.3 Correlation Functions in Definite States; 4.4 Vacuum Functional; 4.5 Anharmonic Oscillator; 4.6 References; 5. Path Integrals for Fermions; 5.1 Fermionic Oscillator; 5.2 Grassmann Variables; 5.3 Generating Functional; 5.4 Feynman Propagator; 5.5 The Fermion Determinant; 5.6 References; 6. Supersymmetry; 6.1 Supersymmetric Oscillator; 6.2 Supersymmetric Quantum Mechanics; 6.3 Shape Invariance; 6.4 Example; 6.5 Supersymmetry and Singular Potentials; 6.6 References; 7. Semi-Classical Methods; 7.1 WKB Approximation; 7.2 Saddle Point Method7.3 Semi-Classical Methods in Path Integrals; 7.4 Double Well Potential; 7.5 References; 8. Path Integral for the Double Well; 8.1 Instantons; 8.2 Zero Modes; 8.3 The Instanton Integral; 8.4 Evaluating the Determinant; 8.5 Multi-Instanton Contributions; 8.6 References; 9. Path Integral for Relativistic Theories; 9.1 Systems with Many Degrees of Freedom; 9.2 Relativistic Scalar Field Theory; 9.3 Feynman Rules; 9.4 Connected Diagrams; 9.5 References; 10. Effective Action; 10.1 The Classical Field; 10.2 Effective Action; 10.3 Loop Expansion; 10.4 Effective Potential at One Loop10.5 References; 11. Invariances and Their Consequences; 11.1 Symmetries of the Action; 11.2 Noether's Theorem; 11.3 Complex Scalar Field; 11.4 Ward Identities; 11.5 Spontaneous Symmetry Breaking; 11.6 Goldstone Theorem; 11.7 References; 12. Gauge Theories; 12.1 Maxwell Theory; 12.2 Non-Abelian Gauge Theory; 12.3 Path Integral for Gauge Theories; 12.4 BRST Invariance; 12.5 Ward Identities; 12.6 References; 13. Anomalies; 13.1 Anomalous Ward Identity; 13.2 Schwinger Model; 13.3 References; 14. Systems at Finite Temperature; 14.1 Statistical Mechanics; 14.2 Critical Exponents14.3 Harmonic Oscillator; 14.4 Fermionic Oscillator; 14.5 References; 15. Ising Model; 15.1 One Dimensional Ising Model; 15.2 The Partition Function; 15.3 Two Dimensional Ising Model; 15.4 Duality; 15.5 High and Low Temperature Expansions; 15.6 Quantum Mechanical Model; 15.7 Duality in the Quantum System; 15.8 References; Index
• Sommario/riassunto: This unique book describes quantum field theory completely within the context of path integrals. With its utility in a variety of fields in physics, the subject matter is primarily developed within the context of quantum mechanics before going into specialized areas.Adding new material keenly requested by readers, this second edition is an important expansion of the popular first edition. Two extra chapters cover path integral quantization of gauge theories and anomalies, and a new section extends the supersymmetry chapter, where singular potentials in supersymmetric systems are described.