Quantum Field Theory: From Operators to Path Integrals

Book Description

A unique approach to quantum field theory, with emphasis on the principles of renormalization Quantum field theory is frequently approached from the perspective of particle physics. This book adopts a more general point of view and includes applications of condensed matter physics. Written by a highly respected writer and researcher, it first develops traditional concepts, including Feynman graphs, before moving on to key topics such as functional integrals, statistical mechanics, and Wilson's renormalization group. The connection between the latter and conventional perturbative renormalization is explained.

Quantum Field Theory is an exceptional textbook for graduate students familiar with advanced quantum mechanics as well as physicists with an interest in theoretical physics. It features:
* Coverage of quantum electrodynamics with practical calculations and a discussion of perturbative renormalization
* A discussion of the Feynman path integrals and a host of current subjects, including the physical approach to renormalization, spontaneous symmetry breaking and superfluidity, and topological excitations
* Nineteen self-contained chapters with exercises, supplemented with graphs and charts

Customer Reviews:

Extremely solid for self-teaching.......2006-04-06

This book is an ideal introduction to quantum field theory for a graduate student. Assuming a strong background in basic quantum mechanics and classical mechanics, Huang develops quantum field in a methodical fashion. In contrast to other popular quantum field theory books (such as Peskin) Huang doesn't leave out important details, especially with regard to the mathematics behind spinor fields. Plus the book is very readable.

A good introduction to the physics behind renormalization.......1999-05-16

A very good introduction to QFT. It starts with a rather classical account of QED, then develops renormalization and applies it mainly to statistical physics. So the text does not cover non-abelian gauge theories, and is not sufficient for readers who learn QFT for particle physics applications. But the exposition of renormalization is really excellent and complete. I liked the exceptional clarity and lucidity of most calculations, and the excellent set of problems. Solving them all extends the book's scope far beyond the table of contents.

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Miraculous Textbook
Landmark of Theoretical Condensed Matter Physics book!!!
Simple Language

Condensed Matter Field Theory
Alexander Altland , and Ben Simons
Manufacturer: Cambridge University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0521845084

Book Description

Over the past few decades, in concert with ground-breaking experimental advances, condensed matter theory has drawn increasingly from the language of low-energy quantum field theory. This primer is aimed at elevating graduate students of condensed matter theory to a level where they can engage in independent research. It emphasizes the development of modern methods of classical and quantum field theory with applications oriented around condensed matter physics. Topics covered include second quantization, path and functional field integration, mean-field theory and collective phenomena, the renormalization group, and topology. Conceptual aspects and formal methodology are emphasized, but the discussion is rooted firmly in practical experimental application. As well as routine exercises, the text includes extended and challenging problems, with fully worked solutions, designed to provide a bridge between formal manipulations and research-oriented thinking. This book will complement graduate level courses on theoretical quantum condensed matter physics.

Customer Reviews:

Miraculous Textbook.......2007-06-11

This book is really incredible. It is one of only a handful of really readable physics texts, and it carefully moves from very friendly explanations of basic concepts, such as a two page review of Gaussian integrals (things like this make it a great reference), to very advanced material. The last chapter on topology, for example, doesn't hold back from using the full machinery of differential geometry, but also provides a great tutorial on the subject.

Also, a closer read reveals that this book's point of view is thoroughly modern, in the sense that it puts symmetry concepts and non-perturbative techniques front and center. The authors do readers a huge service by promoting the idea that one of the keys to understanding complex quantum systems is to correctly identify their fundamental excitations.

Landmark of Theoretical Condensed Matter Physics book!!!.......2007-02-05

This is an extremely well-written book, which covers almost all the modern topics in condensed matter physics while keeps the physics and mathematics clear and simple.

It is an invaluable reference or textbook for graduate students who are interested in theoretical condensed matter physics, esp. in strongly correlated systems.

It is almost the best book I have seen for a graduate student to study the functional method, renormalization-group theory, etc., applied to condensed matter systems.

Simple Language.......2007-01-23

This book is a good introduction to Field Theory applied in condensed matter physics. In dealing with two difficult subjects the authors do it in a very simple language. This is very important either to beginners or experts. There are very good solved examples to illustrate each section. Besides, there are small boxes citing the people behind the development of the issue.

Self-consistent Quantum-Field Theory and Bosonization for Strongly Correlated Electron Systems (Lecture Notes in Physics Monographs)

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Self-consistent Quantum-Field Theory and Bosonization for Strongly Correlated Electron Systems (Lecture Notes in Physics Monographs)
Rudolf Haussmann
Manufacturer: Springer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 3540658122

Book Description

This research monograph offers an introduction to advanced quantum field theoretical techniques for many-particle systems beyond perturbation theory. Several schemes for resummation of the Feynman diagrams are described. The resulting approximations are especially well suited for strongly correlated fermion and boson systems.
Also considered is the crossover from BCS superconductivity to Bose--Einstein condensation in fermion systems with strong attractive interaction. In particular, a field theoretic formulation of "bosonization" is presented; it is published here for the first time. This method is applied to the fractional quantum Hall effect, to the Coulomb plasma, and to several exactly solvable models.

Relativistic Quantum Mechanics: With Applications in Condensed Matter and Atomic Physics

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good for solid state physicists
RQM-Paul Strange
Relativistic Quantum Mechanics-Paul Strange
Puts RQM into state-of-the-art solid state physics
Relativistic Quantum Mechanics

Relativistic Quantum Mechanics: With Applications in Condensed Matter and Atomic Physics
Paul Strange
Manufacturer: Cambridge University Press
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Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0521565839

Book Description

This graduate text introduces relativistic quantum theory, emphasizing important applications in condensed matter physics. Relativistic quantum theory is the unification of Einstein's theory of relativity and the quantum mechanics of Bohr, Schrödinger and Heisenberg. Beginning with basic theory, the book then describes essential topics. It includes many worked examples and exercises as well as an extensive reference list. This clear account of a crucial topic will be valuable to graduates and researchers working in condensed matter physics and quantum physics.

Customer Reviews:

good for solid state physicists.......2007-09-18

A short paragraph from this book:
"Now the transformation of (7.18) is just a matter of multiplying out the matrices defined in (7.19) in the right order. It takes several pages of algebra, and it is very easy to make mistakes (believe me, I speak from experience). Therefore, I suggest you either do not do it, or, if possible, set it as an exercise for anyone who particularly irritates you."
Now I say, any textbook with this kind of writing can't be too bad. Still, this book is "not" an easy one. It's an invaluable reference for physicists working on magnetic properties from the Dirac theory up, as one reviewer said. Not the best for high-energy oriented, though.

RQM-Paul Strange.......2000-01-25

I have read this book as a physics undergraduate and also since I started my Ph.D. in theoretical physics, and I have found it, unlike other text books, very well written and extremely helpful. It is highly recommendable for undergraduates and the maths is very easy to follow for any science undergraduate or graduate. It is definitely one of the best relativistic quantume mechanics books available.

Relativistic Quantum Mechanics-Paul Strange.......2000-01-25

As an final year undergraduate taking an option in Relativistic quantum Mechanics I found this book invaluable in helping me with the course. It's clear, concise explanations of Relativistic Quantum theories made the whole subject that much easier to get to grips with.

Puts RQM into state-of-the-art solid state physics.......2000-01-12

Already decades ago many excellent books dealing with relativistic quantum mechanics (RQM) have been published. Clearly one of the unique features of the RQM book by P. Strange is that it does not only discuss the general concepts of RQM in (Chapters 1-10), but also describes in a great detail electronic structure and various x-ray spectroscopy theories used in the state-of-the-art research of magnetic materials (Chapters 10-12). Also a student learning quantum mechanics for solid state might feel the relativistic one-dimensional Kronig-Penney model in Chapter 9 quite useful. Interestingly, a relativistic version of the microscopic theory of superconductivity in the framework of the Bogolubov-de Gennes equations has been presented in Chapter 13. A nice extra feature is that the SI system of units has been used throughout the book.

All in all, Relativistic Quantum Mechanics book by P. Strange works as a valuable textbook as well as reference material for graduate students and researchers. It is especially useful for those studying solid state magnetism from microscopic theory viewpoint. Bringing RQM into the context of solid state physics research (Chapters 10-13) is obviously one of the best features of the book.

Relativistic Quantum Mechanics.......1999-12-29

This book starts at a level easily accessible to a final year undergraduate and develops the subject to the level of a researcher in condensed matter physics. I found the book easy to read and instructive. Chapter 9 is particularly good, being entirely devoted to solving several model problems. I thoroughly recommend this book as a clear and well written text.

Diffusion in Solids: Field Theory, Solid-State Principles, and Applications

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A fine modern book on a good old topic at last !!!
Not a random walk.....
Finally, a complete explanation...

Diffusion in Solids: Field Theory, Solid-State Principles, and Applications
Martin Eden Glicksman
Manufacturer: Wiley-Interscience
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0471239720

Book Description

This book offers a modern treatment of diffusion in solids, covering such core topics as the transport of mass through the lattice of a crystalline solid. Part I of the book develops basic concepts in diffusion field theory and illustrates them with several applications, while Part II focuses on key solid-state principles needed to apply diffusion theory to real materials.

Customer Reviews:

A fine modern book on a good old topic at last !!!.......2005-08-20

To the curious minds of today and tomorrow:

I've recently gotten this book as a present and read a few chapters of it to date. As I am well versed in diffusion, I presume it's ok for me to comment on the book without having fully read it.

After reading a few chapters, and perusing over the entire volume, I was most impressed with Dr. Glickman's text. He's to be commended for having done a very fine job.

Diffusion is inherently a very mathematical subject. Yet, without a proper presentation of the important aspects of the physical phenomena it is barrren and simply reduced to solving partial differential equations. Glickman's book, seems to succeed at providing the physical picture of diffusion with utmost clarity, while maintaining mathematical rigor. Furthermore, it is up to date and exposes the reader to recent developments in the study of diffusion phenomena. The treatment is primarily on the phenomenology of diffusion. If you fancy to learn more about diffusion kinetics, I recommend the book by Khachaturyan (Theory of Structural Phase Transformations in Solids).

As someone who learned diffusion from Physical Metallurgy books, Shewmon's and Carslaw's books, I find Glickman's very refreshing for it's modern, rigorous and comprehensive.

I highly recommend it.

Cheers,

Dr. E.
-----------------------------------

Not a random walk............2003-02-25

...but a coherent and organized text on diffusion.

This is a complete text on the subject of diffusion. Similar to Shewmon's original "Diffusion in Solids", but Glicksman is more complete and modern. Glicksman is worth purchasing even if you already own Shewmon.

Finally, a complete explanation..........2000-04-06

I have found that mathematically intensive books frequently leave out many of the steps that are critical to a complete understanding of the fundamental equations. Diffusion in Solids does a wonderful job of taking you from start to finish in each problem presented. It is a complete tome worth every dollar spent. Thanks Marty!

Quantum Field Theory of Many-body Systems: From the Origin of Sound to an Origin of Light and Electrons (Oxford Graduate Texts)

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Utility depends on need
mixed

Quantum Field Theory of Many-body Systems: From the Origin of Sound to an Origin of Light and Electrons (Oxford Graduate Texts)
Xiao-Gang Wen
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 019922725X

Book Description

For most of the last century, condensed matter physics has been dominated by band theory and Landau's symmetry breaking theory. In the last twenty years, however, there has been the emergence of a new paradigm associated with fractionalisation, topological order, emergent gauge bosons and fermions, and string condensation. These new physical concepts are so fundamental that they may even influence our understanding of the origin of light and fermions in the universe. This book is a pedagogical and systematic introduction to the new concepts and quantum field theoretical methods (which have fuelled the rapid developments) in condensed matter physics. It discusses many basic notions in theoretical physics which underlie physical phenomena in nature. Topics covered are dissipative quantum systems, boson condensation, symmetry breaking and gapless excitations, phase transitions, Fermi liquids, spin density wave states, Fermi and fractional statistics, quantum Hall effects, topological and quantum order, spin liquids, and string condensation. Methods covered are the path integral, Green's functions, mean-field theory, effective theory, renormalization group, bosonization in one- and higher dimensions, non-linear sigma-model, quantum gauge theory, dualities, slave-boson theory, and exactly soluble models beyond one-dimension. This book is aimed at teaching graduate students and bringing them to the frontiers of research in condensed matter physics.

Customer Reviews:

Utility depends on need.......2006-06-28

This book reflects the research interests of the author, who is a genius, and should not be considered introductory, even at the graduate level. I do not find this book useful for learning anything for the first time. However, it provides an interesting perspective on many classic topics in many-body theory. Unlike the previous reviewer, I found the grandious statements a wonderful feature since most textbooks lack any of the author's voice. Reading this book is closer to attending a lecture than any text of it's kind I've read. I get this book from the library and I wouldn't pay $100 for it especially since the author posts his lectures notes on his website and much of the later material can be obtained from PROLA.

mixed.......2004-08-19

This book is really awkward. There is some standard many body theory but no beginning student will be able to learn it from this book alone. Second of all there are some very awkward statements like "fermions ..behave like non-local excitations because fermions cannot be created alone." (p146)While his line of reasoning for a particular model is decently clear, the statement about the nonexistance of a lone fermion is ridiculous. He makes occaisional grandiose statements like " [his pet theory] provides and answer to the origin of light and fermions" (p9). I find the calculations sketchy at best --you can learn deep things but at great expense. overall i find this book to mix ridiculousness and obtuse reading with insight. I think it's a poor book because pedagogy should be paramount in a textbook.

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Magnetic Ions in Crystals
K.W.H. Stevens
Manufacturer: Princeton University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Book Description

There have been many demonstrations, particularly for magnetic impurity ions in crystals, that spin-Hamiltonians are able to account for a wide range of experimental results in terms of much smaller numbers of parameters. Yet they were originally derived from crystal field theory, which contains a logical flaw; electrons on the magnetic ions are distinguished from those on the ligands. Thus there is a challenge: to replace crystal field theory with one of equal or greater predictive power that is based on a surer footing. The theory developed in this book begins with a generic Hamiltonian, one that is common to most molecular and solid state problems and that does not violate the symmetry requirements imposed on electrons and nuclei. Using a version of degenerate perturbation theory due to Bloch and the introduction of Wannier functions, projection operators, and unitary transformations, Stevens shows that it is possible to replace crystal field theory as a basis for the spin-Hamiltonians of single magnetic ions and pairs and lattices of magnetic ions, even when the nuclei have vibrational motion. The power of the method is further demonstrated by showing that it can be extended to include lattice vibration and conduction by electron hopping such as probably occurs in high-Tc superconductors. Thus Stevens shows how an apparently successful ad hoc method of the past can be replaced by a much more soundly based one that not only incorporates all the previous successes but appears to open the way to extensions far outside the scope of the previously available methods. So far only some of these have been explored. The book should therefore be of great interest to all physicists and chemists concerned with understanding the special properties of molecules and solids that are imposed by the presence of magnetic ions.

Conformal Invariance and Critical Phenomena (Theoretical and Mathematical Physics)

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Conformal Invariance and Critical Phenomena (Theoretical and Mathematical Physics)
Malte Henkel
Manufacturer: Springer
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Binding: Hardcover

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Quantum Field Theory

ASIN: 354065321X

Book Description

This book provides an introduction to conformal field theory and a review of its applications to critical phenomena in condensed-matter systems. After reviewing simple phase transitions and explaining the foundations of conformal invariance and the algebraic methods required, it proceeds to the explicit calculation of four-point correlators. Numerical methods for matrix diagonalization are described as well as finite-size scaling techniques and their conformal extensions. Many exercises are included. Applications treat the Ising, Potts, chiral Potts, Yang-Lee, percolation and XY models, the XXZ chain, linear polymers, tricritical points, conformal turbulence, surface criticality and profiles, defect lines and aperiodically modulated systems, persistent currents and dynamical scaling. The vicinity of the critical point is studied culminating in the exact solution of the two-dimensional Ising model at the critical temperature in a magnetic field. Relevant experimental results are reviewed.

Quantum Many-Body Systems in One Dimension (Series on Advances in Statistical Mechanics, Vol 12)

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Quantum Many-Body Systems in One Dimension (Series on Advances in Statistical Mechanics, Vol 12)
Zachary Nyong-Chol Ha
Manufacturer: World Scientific Publishing Company
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Binding: Hardcover

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The main theme of the book is focused on the intimate connection between two families of exactly solvable models: the inverse-square (ISE) and the nearest-neighbor exchange (NNE) models. The NNE models are Bethe-Ansatz solvable and include the Heisenberg spin chain, t-J models and Hubbard models. The ISE Calogero-Sutherland family of models are simple to solve and contain essentially the same physics as the NNE family. The author introduces and discusses current topics, such as the Luttinger liquid concept, fractional statistics, and spin-charge separation, in the context of the explicit models.

Quantum Many Particle Systems (Advanced Book Classics)

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Clear, precise, and modern
An important book for beginner cond-mat physicists and more.

Quantum Many Particle Systems (Advanced Book Classics)
John W. Negele , and Henri Orland
Manufacturer: Westview Press
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Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0738200522

Book Description

This volume explains the fundamental concepts and theoretical techniques used to understand the properties of quantum systems used to understand the properties of quantum systems having large numbers of degrees of freedom. A number of complimentary approaches are developed, including perturbation theory; nonpurturbative approximations based on functional integrals; general arguments based on order parameters; symmetry, and Fermi liquid theory; and stochastic methods. Each approach provides its own insights and quantitative capabilities, and in conjunction provide a powerful framework for understanding a wide variety of physical systems. Written at a level for graduate students with no prior background in manybody theory, this classic text is intended for physicists in solid state physics, field theory, atomic physics, condensed matter physics, quantum chemistry, and nuclear physics.

Customer Reviews:

Clear, precise, and modern.......2002-09-11

A great physics book for field theory applied to condensed
matter and sometimes nuclear physics problems. The authors
are EXTREMELY careful mathematically and really don't skip
any steps or shove stuff under the rug; in fact, the first
chapter is just all math about how to do integrals and path
integrals and field integrals and deal with Grassman numbers.
A bit unusual for a physics book, but that's their style.

The rest of the book deals with the usual and other material:

zero-temperature Green's functions and perturbation theory
(for energy, Green's function, etc.) The treatment is detailed
and relatively exhaustive. Then there is the same for finite-
temperature. The earlier sections on linear response are
concise and one of the best treatments of the subject I have
seen leading directly to the fluctuation dissipation expression
(after this book I realized this vaunted "fluctuation-dissipation" that no one can explain is just
a straightforward thing about commutators and pert. theory).

The book also has other good stuff: a chapter on mean field theory, Landau-Ginzburg theory, order parameters, and a nice
discussion about spontaneous symmetry breaking that helps
clarify a bunch of stuff. Then there is a whole chapter on
further aspects of one-particle Green's functions (Dyson
equation, solving for poles, quasiparticles, satellites, etc.)
that is pretty good and gets the physical point across. There
is also a chapter on statistical (monte carlo, numerical, etc.)
methods for doing quantum many body problems. While some of
the methods are not the most up to date or modern, the basics
are all there (Monte Carlo, Hubbard-Strataonvich (spelling?),
inverting matrices via Monte Carlo, some stuff about lattice
systems, Langevin equation simulation for Monte Carlo, updating
problems, etc.) There is also a chapter on more advanced
functional integration stuff. Also there is a nice description
of the loop expansion and whatnot.

The book is very well written, has no errors as far as I can
tell, and is exhaustive on what it treats. The problems at
the end of the first few chapters deal with physics problems
and help build intuition whereas the texts in these chapters
are more formal. The book could use some more physical insights
sprinkled throughout, but that is not too much of a drawback.

The book is based on functional integration (Feynman integral)
methods for field theory: this is the modern way folks do it
and it is a powerful way of doing field theory both to
derive results, connect results, do expansions and what not,
and also for certain kinds of monte carl computations. So
having read this, the reader is up to date on a pretty modern
view of field theory in condensed matter (and somewhat on
nuclear physics).

Highly recommended unless you can't stand precise and long
mathematical treatments. My only misgiving is that sometimes
I wish the authors provided more physical insights for certain
concepts and gave some examples rather than "just the math";
but they do this in other parts of the book, so perhaps
my complaint, which is not that serious, is more about the
uneven way this is done. Nevertheless, this is 5/5 and a book
you will read many times and learn from many times.

An important book for beginner cond-mat physicists and more........2000-04-10

A very good introduction to the many particle systems, includes all from the basics of coherent states to very complex parts of theory.

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