Nonperturbative Quantum Field Theory: 185 (NATO Science Series B:, 185) - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0306430274 ISBN 13: 9780306430275

Publisher: Springer, 1989

Synopsis

During the past 15 years, quantum field theory and classical statistical mechanics have merged into a single field, and the need for nonperturbative methods for the description of critical phenomena in statistical mechanics as well as for problems in elementary particle physics are generally acknowledged. Such methods formed the central theme of the 1987 Cargese Advanced Study Institut. e on "Nonpert. urbat. ive Quantum Field Theory. " The use of conformal symmet. ry has been of central interest in recent years, and was a main subject at. t. he ASI. Conformal invariant quantum field theory describes statistical mechanical systems exactly at a critical point, and can be analysed to a remarkable ext. ent. by group t. heoretical methods. Very strong results have been obtained for 2-dimensional systems. Conformal field theory is also the basis of string theory, which offers some hope of providing a unified t. heory of all interactions between elementary particles. Accordingly, a number of lectures and seminars were presented on these two topics. After syst. ematic introductory lectures, conformal field theory on Riemann surfaces, orbifolds, sigma models, and application of loop group theory and Grassmannians were discussed, and some ideas on modular geometry were presented. Other lectures combined' traditional techniques of constructive quant. um field theory with new methods such as the use of index-t. heorems and infinite dimensional (Kac Moody) symmetry groups. The problems encountered in a quantum mechanical description of black holes were discussed in detail.

About this title

Synopsis

These proceedings address the need for nonperturbative methods for the description of critical phenomena in statistical mechanics and in particle physics. The lectures and seminars deal with such topics as index-theorems, infinite dimensional symmetry groups, black holes, statistics in two dimensions, the renormalization group, Monte Carlo simulati

Edition details

• Publisher: Springer
• Publication date: 1989
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0306430274
• ISBN 13: 9780306430275
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 612
• Editor: Hooft G., Jaffe A., Mack G., Mitter P.K., Stora R.