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The theory and applications of instanton calculations / Manu Paranjape (Université de Montréal).

Author
Paranjape, M. B.
Published
Cambridge, United Kingdom ; New York, NY : Cambridge University Press, 2018.
Physical Description
1 online resource (xiv, 309 pages) : illustrations
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Contents
Quantum mechanics and the path integral -- The symmetric double well -- Decay of a meta-stable state -- Quantum field theory and the path integral -- Decay of the false vacuum -- Large orders in perturbation theory -- Quantum electrodynamics in 1+1 dimensions -- The Polyakov proof of confinement -- Monopole pair production -- Quantum chromodynamics (QCD) -- Instantons, supersymmetry and Morse theory.
Summary
Instantons, or pseudoparticles, are solutions to the equations of motion in classical field theories on a Euclidean spacetime. Instantons are found everywhere in quantum theories as they have many applications in quantum tunnelling. Diverse physical phenomena may be described through quantum tunnelling, for example: the Josephson effect, the decay of meta-stable nuclear states, band formation in tight binding models of crystalline solids, the structure of the gauge theory vacuum, confinement in 2+1 dimensions, and the decay of superheated or supercooled phases. Drawing inspiration from Sidney Coleman's Erice lectures, this volume provides an accessible, detailed introduction to instanton methods, with many applications, making it a valuable resource for graduate students in many areas of physics, from condensed matter, particle and nuclear physics, to string theory.
Subject(s)
ISBN
9781108548731 (electronic bk.)
1108548733 (electronic bk.)
9781316658741
1316658740
9781107155473
1107155479
Bibliography Note
Includes bibliographical references and index.
View MARC record | catkey: 43277897