Topics In Contemporary Mathematical Physics

This new (second) edition contains a general treatment of quantum field theory (QFT) in a simple scalar field setting in addition to the modern material on the applications of differential geometry and topology, group theory, and the theory of linear operators to physics found in the first edition. All these are introduced without assuming more background on the part of the reader than a good foundation in undergraduate (junior) level mathematical physics. The new material entirely focuses on an introduction to quantum field theory, emphasizing the Feynman path (functional integral) approach to QFT and the renormalization group. With respect to the latter, the focus is on an introduction of its application to critical phenomena in statistical physics, following the outgrowth of the Callan–Symanzik equation originally developed in the context of high energy physics, and the seminal contributions of Kenneth Wilson. One of the overriding aims of the new material is also to draw students' attention to the deep connections between high energy physics and statistical mechanics. The unavoidable technical aspects are explained with a minimum of prerequisite material and jargon, and conceptual understanding is always given prominence before mastery of technical details, but the importance of the latter is never underestimated. Derivational details and motivational discussions are provided in abundance in order to ensure continuity of reading, and to avoid trying the readers' patience.

This textbook, pitched at the advanced-undergraduate to beginning-graduate level, focuses on mathematical topics of relevance in contemporary physics that are not usually covered in texts at the same level. Its main purpose is to help students appreciate and take advantage of the modern trend of very productive symbiosis between physics and mathematics. Three major areas are covered: (1) linear operators; (2) group representations and Lie algebra representations; and (3) topology and differential geometry. The features of this work include: an exposition style which is a fusion of those common in the standard physics and mathematics literatures; a level of exposition that varies from quite elementary to moderately advanced, so that the text should be of interest to a wide audience; a strong degree of thematic unity, despite the diversity of the topics covered; and cross references, so that, from any part of the book, the reader can trace easily where specific concepts or techniques are introduced.

In this volume, topics are drawn from field theory, especially gauge field theory, as applied to particle, condensed matter and gravitational physics, and concern a variety of interesting subjects. These include geometricalDtopological effects in quantum theory, fractional charge, time travel, relativistic quantized fields in and out of thermal equilibrium and quantum modifications of symmetry in physical systems.Many readers will find this a useful volume, especially theoretical physicists and mathematicians. The material will be of interest to both the expert who will find well-presented novel and stimulating viewpoints of various subjects and the novice who will find complete, detailed and precise descriptions of important topics of current interest, in theoretical and mathematical physics.

This volume contains the contributions by the participants in the eight of a series workshops in complex analysis, differential geometry and mathematical physics and related areas. Active specialists in mathematical physics contribute to the volume, providing not only significant information for researchers in the area but also interesting mathematics for non-specialists and a broader audience. The contributions treat topics including differential geometry, partial differential equations, integrable systems and mathematical physics.

This textbook, pitched at the advanced-undergraduate to beginning-graduate level, focuses on mathematical topics of relevance in contemporary physics that are not usually covered in texts at the same level. Its main purpose is to help students appreciate and take advantage of the modern trend of very productive symbiosis between physics and mathematics. Three major areas are covered: (1) linear operators; (2) group representations and Lie algebra representations; (3) topology and differential geometry. The following are noteworthy features of this book: the style of exposition is a fusion of those common in the standard physics and mathematics literatures; the level of exposition varies from quite elementary to moderately advanced, so that the book is of interest to a wide audience; despite the diversity of the topics covered, there is a strong degree of thematic unity; much care is devoted to detailed cross-referencing so that, from any part of the book, the reader can trace easily where specific concepts or techniques are introduced.

The following topics are discussed in this volume: recent developments in operator theory, coherent states and wavelet analysis, geometric and topological methods in theoretical physics and quantum field theory, and applications of these methods of mathematical physics to problems in atomic and molecular physics as well as the world of the elementary particles and their fundamental interactions. Two extensive sets of lecture notes on quantization techniques in general, and quantum gauge theories and strings as an avenue towards quantum geometry, are also included. The volume should be of interest to anyone working in a field using the mathematical methods associated with any of these topics. Contents:Quantization Techniques: A Quick Overview (S T Ali)The Quantum Geometer's Universe: Particles, Interactions and Topology (J Govaerts)Theoretical Methods of Modern Classical and Quantum Physics:Do Cross-Sections Determine Phase Shifts Uniquely? (D Atkinson)Hilbert Transform or Kramers-Kronig Relations Applied to Some Aspects of Linear and Nonlinear Physics (G Debiais)Application of the Gibbs Sampler to the Conditional Simulation of Rain Fields (H Onibon et al.)The Mathematics of an Algebraic Approach to the Physics of Hadrons (M D Slaughter)Coherent States, Wavelets and Geometric Methods in Theoretical Physics:Phase Space Geometry in Classical and Quantum Mechanics (J R Klauder)Functional Analysis Special Functions and Orthogonal Polynomials:On Generalized Continuous D Semi-Classical Hermite and Chebychev Orthogonal Polynomials of Class One (E Azatassou & M N Hounkonnou)On a Generalization of the Method by Barbaroux et al. for the Improvement on the Rate of Decay of an Operator Resolvent (G Honnouvo & M N Hounkonnou)and other papers Readership: Researchers in mathematical physics, theoretical physics, physical chemistry, analysis and differential equations, atomic and quantum physics. Keywords: