Quantum Field Theory of Many-Body Systems : From the Origin of Sound to an Origin of Light and Electrons

Xiao-Gang Wen

ISBN 10: 019922725X / ISBN 13: 9780199227259

Published by Oxford University Press Okt 2007, 2007

About this Item

Neuware - 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.

Seller Inventory # 9780199227259

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Quantum Field Theory of Many-Body Systems : From the Origin of Sound to an Origin of Light and Electrons
• Publisher: Oxford University Press Okt 2007
• Publication Date: 2007
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 019922725X
• ISBN 13: 9780199227259
• Binding: Taschenbuch
• Condition: Neu
• Dimensions: 240W x 166H x 27D millimeters 240 millimeters width by 166 millimeters height by 27 millimeters depth
• Weight: 785 grams

About this title

Synopsis

This book is a pedagogical and systematic introduction to new concepts and quantum field theoretical methods in condensed matter physics, which may impact on our understanding of the origin of light, electrons and other elementary particles in the universe.

About the Author

Xiao-Gang Wen is a professor in the Department of Physics at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.