Path Integrals From Mev To Mev

The topics discussed in the Tutzing conference are applications of path integrals in quantum chaos, quantum tunneling, Monte Carlo methods, polarons, solid state physics, physical chemistry, and others. The reports by experts in the fields are timely; the results reported are mostly new. This volume reveals how broad the range of path integral applications has become.

In this second edition, a comprehensive review is given for path integration in two- and three-dimensional (homogeneous) spaces of constant and non-constant curvature, including an enumeration of all the corresponding coordinate systems which allow separation of variables in the Hamiltonian and in the path integral. The corresponding path integral solutions are presented as a tabulation. Proposals concerning interbasis expansions for spheroidal coordinate systems are also given. In particular, the cases of non-constant curvature Darboux spaces are new in this edition. The volume also contains results on the numerical study of the properties of several integrable billiard systems in compact domains (i.e. rectangles, parallelepipeds, circles and spheres) in two- and three-dimensional flat and hyperbolic spaces. In particular, the discussions of integrable billiards in circles and spheres (flat and hyperbolic spaces) and in three dimensions are new in comparison to the first edition. In addition, an overview is presented on some recent achievements in the theory of the Selberg trace formula on Riemann surfaces, its super generalization, their use in mathematical physics and string theory, and some further results derived from the Selberg (super-) trace formula. Contents:IntroductionPath Integrals in Quantum MechanicsSeparable Coordinate Systems on Spaces of Constant CurvaturePath Integrals in Pseudo-Euclidean GeometryPath Integrals in Euclidean SpacesPath Integrals on SpheresPath Integrals on HyperboloidsPath Integral on the Complex SpherePath Integrals on Hermitian Hyperbolic SpacePath Integrals on Darboux SpacesPath Integrals on Single-Sheeted HyperboloidsMiscellaneous Results on Path IntegrationBilliard Systems and Periodic Orbit TheoryThe Selberg Trace FormulaThe Selberg Super-Trace FormulaSummary and Discussion Readership: Graduate and researchers in mathematical physics. Keywords:Path Integrals;Selberg Trace Formula;Quantum Chaos;Coordinate Systems;Homogeneous Spaces;Spaces of Non-Constant Curvature;Separation of VariablesKey Features:The 2nd edition brings the text up to date with new developments and results in the fieldContains enumeration of many explicit path integrals solutionsReviews: “This book is a good survey of results in a fascinating, highly geometrical, field in which much remains to be done.” Zentralblatt MATH

In this second edition, a comprehensive review is given for path integration in two- and three-dimensional (homogeneous) spaces of constant and non-constant curvature, including an enumeration of all the corresponding coordinate systems which allow separation of variables in the Hamiltonian and in the path integral. The corresponding path integral solutions are presented as a tabulation. Proposals concerning interbasis expansions for spheroidal coordinate systems are also given. In particular, the cases of non-constant curvature Darboux spaces are new in this edition. The volume also contains results on the numerical study of the properties of several integrable billiard systems in compact domains (i.e. rectangles, parallelepipeds, circles and spheres) in two- and three-dimensional flat and hyperbolic spaces. In particular, the discussions of integrable billiards in circles and spheres (flat and hyperbolic spaces) and in three dimensions are new in comparison to the first edition. In addition, an overview is presented on some recent achievements in the theory of the Selberg trace formula on Riemann surfaces, its super generalization, their use in mathematical physics and string theory, and some further results derived from the Selberg (super-) trace formula.